Just one small thing

New Urbanism

2009-06-01T08:24:00+01:00

A new a different perspective on the way we live, that turns from the negative urbanisation of 'sprawl' to something simpler, more sustainable and, yes, maybe even a little old fashioned: community...

If you don't do it, it won't happen

2009-03-12T11:24:25+00:00

(davidhanddotnet)

Good post from Dave Trott, famed UK advertising creative director, on the importance of thinking something can be achieved.

Because if you always accept no for an answer, nothing will ever happen.

The repair manifesto

2009-03-04T14:20:47+00:00

The green mantra is reduce, reuse, recycle (i.e. putting stuff in the bottle bank is the last resort). But the reuse bit depends on things still working. Which is where Platform 21's Repair Manifesto comes in...

As they say on their site: "we seek to make repairing cool again...Rediscover the joy of fixing things...This project is about sharing knowledge and skills. Together we can start a movement, one that isn’t new but has been forgotten".

(Via PSFK)

Earth Hour 2009

2009-02-22T10:02:37+00:00

On March 28th 2009, at 8.30 pm (wherever you are), WWF is encouraging us all to turn our lights off for an Earth Hour, in protest against the inacation of governments on the issue of cliemate change. And to show how easy it is to do something about it.

There's a rather nice film promoting it, looking at what happened in Sydney (and elsewhere) in 2008 (quite Free Hugs in feel)...

Around 50 million people took part last year. In 2009, WWF want this to be 1 billion.

Do you bit, and sign up here.

We the people

2009-02-22T07:57:34+00:00

What to do in the face of the various global crises we're all facing currently, from environmental to economic?

Do you sit back and hope the powers that be will sort it? Not that they have managed so far.

Or do you say that the rest of us, we the people, may have as much of an idea (maybe even better ideas) about the way to go.

In response to the up-coming G20 talking shop and hot air factory, We20 gives the rest of us a chance to have our say (Johnnie has more detail here).

As it says on the We20 Facebook group...

we20 is your opportunity to have your own G20 meeting...Anyone can get involved and our aim is for at least 10,000 we20 meetings around the world before the end of April this year...You may have ideas to change your neighbourhood or ideas to change the world. Whatever change you want to create - it matters to we20. we20.org will act as a hub for we20 meetings, a place to organise your meeting, discuss your plans and vote on the issues that matter to you. we20 is being heard by those who make decisions on our behalf. we20 links to the G20 summit and other politicians and people who take decisions that impact our lives. we20 meetings are being held by people like you across the world to develop their own ideas for improving our lives. we20 – another great reason to get your friends together!

So sign up today.

Made to be handed down

2009-02-12T08:29:31+00:00

I'm liking the new Hand-Me-Down Line from Howies, an antidote to our destructive desire for 'fast fashion' which is designed to be (well) handed down. As their site says...

"We live in times of limited resources but unlimited desire to consume them. The answer though is real simple: to consume less as a consumer; to make a better designed product as a manufacturer.

Going forward we will have to take more responsibility for our consumption. The manufacturer and the consumer will both have to share that responsibility.

We live in interesting times.

From where we stand as a manufacturer, a product that keeps working for longer uses less-resources in the end. The key ingredients to this are quality and good design.

To make something well, you know, the best you can do, means going that extra mile. Every stitch, every zip, every little feature considered. The weakest points made strong. Then, and only then, can we say that we have fully understood the responsibility of making something.

This product is guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years from the date of original purchase. The chances are it will last a good deal longer than that. So now you have to decide whom you’d like to hand this product down to?"

As someone who tends to keep his clothes well beyond their fashion sell-by date (in the vain hope they'll come back in fashion again...which they often do!), I can but applaud.

Marcus asks: do you care?

2009-01-29T11:42:44+00:00

Check out here why sometimes it is important to tell people you care.

Triumphing over cynicism

2009-01-05T21:25:38+00:00

I've always liked Matt and his dancing. Not quite up there with the original Free Hugs for tear inducement. But comes quite close.

Anyway, it turns out a lot of people thought the whole thing was staged/a hoax, particularly when a corporate sponsor came on board.

And it seems they were right, as here is Matt fessing up to the whole hoax thing at a conference. Or maybe he's just making a point about cynicism, and the triumph of "uncoordinated, unselfconscious silliness", and just doing something nice which makes a human, even spiritual connection with people...

(Via Web Jungle)

Give nature some breathing space this Christmas

2008-12-09T20:38:43+00:00

Nice little Christmas treat put together by the Beeb in support of their Breathing Spaces programme...

And if you check out Breathing Spaces, you're sure to find a conservation project in your area that you can help out with.

(Thanks to John)

Welcome back

2008-11-20T09:15:59+00:00

A PR stunt. But what a nice idea: welcoming home complete strangers...
Welcome Back from ImprovEverywhere on Vimeo.