Apologies for not posting here regularly. Lots of people loved the idea of Power Parties but I didn’t get enough support from people wanting to consolidate it into a campaign. I couldn’t do it alone. This site remains here to share the idea. In the meantime, I’m setting up a blog and network to explore ecology and cultural heritage, to promote more rigorous environmental policies and actions by the cultural heritage sector. You can see this post for more about this http://bridgetmckenzie.blogspot.com/2009/02/climate-crisis-and-mla-sector.html
Advice from London Sustainability Exchange June 9, 2008
There’s a useful set of advice and links here on holding green events, from the London Sustainability Exchange http://www.lsx.org.uk/news/hottopics.aspx?id=3061
LIFT festival is green June 9, 2008
The London International Festival of Theatre is nearly here. The mobile studio will be based at the South Bank from 26 June to 6 July http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/lift/ The structure and the events are designed to be low carbon and sustainable. Lots of the events raise thoughts about climate change and environmental degradation. Look out for A Children’s Parliament for Sustainable Schools, Transition Towns, Cape Farewell and Tipping Point to name but a few.
Get to this exhibition January 23, 2008
Here’s something you can do to get together and get out of the house:
Go and visit the exhibition coming soon (well, April 5th 2008) to the Science Museum in London, called Science of Survival. It looks into the future, to 2050, to explore how we will be challenged to live on our planet and it challenges us to make changes now to our lifestyle. More information on http://www.scienceof.com/?lid=283
It will tour lots of cities around the world over 5 years, so it should make a big impact. Our company, Flow Associates, is designing and writing lots of e-learning materials to accompany the exhibition for schools and young people internationally.
“This exciting and empowering exhibition encourages you and your family to make choices about both future lifestyles and your individual impact on the environment. We take turning on the tap or going to the supermarket for granted but how could drinking and eating change in the future? How we travel to work and school or even how we spend out leisure time have unforeseen consequences. And what sort of neighbourhood do you want to live in?”
Power Parties in the Metro January 23, 2008
Apparently, this website was in the Metro (free London newspaper), though I can’t find mention of it on their website. It’s good to be getting a bit more publicity. We’re still hoping to design an e-badge and widget so that any events you organise can be easily tagged as Power Parties, helping to remind people to power down at home when they get together. If you can help with this, please email bridget.mckenzie@flowassociates.com
Do the Green Thing November 29, 2007
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/
Do the Green Thing is a new community website that holds your hand and encourages you with creative tools to do some fun and easy green things. October’s challenge to take a walk (easy peasy) was helped along with some downloadable walking tunes and words, provided by musicians and writers. November’s challenge to turn the lights off is helped by some wierd and interesting things to listen to in the dark. Lovely. I think holding a power party could be one challenge to add to their list.
Buy Nothing Day November 20, 2007
This weekend, from 24th November, is Buy Nothing Day http://www.buynothingday.co.uk/ Of course, it doesn’t help much if you just put off the splurging until Monday. And most important is to consider what you buy, where it comes from and how long it will last, not how much. But anyway, I do think BND gets good publicity and makes some people think twice about consumerism. The perfect way to celebrate BND is to have a Power Party. Invite people round to cook up a feast from whatever food they have in the house. Or pool some craft materials and make some Christmas presents.
8 December November 20, 2007
http://www.climatespace.org/?p=813/
On 8th December 2007, the Global Climate Campaign is calling for the largest international marches and public meetings on Climate Change that the world has ever witnessed. Hang out a white flag. If you can’t get to a march or meeting, use the occasion to have a power party. Just have a get together for any reason you want, but tell guests that part of the reason is to save power in all your homes.
Blackout Halloween October 15, 2007
http://www.blackoutbritain.org.uk/html/blackout_halloween_2007.html
The perfect Power Party. On 31st October, turn off all the power, light your candles & pumpkins. The official moment to black out is 4-5pm, but you may as well keep it going. Roast some tatties on a fire and put your facepaint on in candlelit dimness for that extra scary factor. Invite friends round to join in, and remind them to leave the power off in their houses.
Walk the Line power party event August 10, 2007
WALKTHELINE
A JOURNEY THROUGH A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Fancy a nice summer Sunday stroll, a short journey with surprise elements and a picnic thrown in? Then on August 12th join artist/historian Maurice Maguire with haiku poet and artist Paul Conneally and others on a guided journey through the changing landscape of the Birmingham Kings Norton 3 Estates.Starting from the Masshouse Members Club, a short walk along the canal towpath will take you to the entrance of the Kings Norton canal tunnel – the Wast Hill Tunnel. We will then trace the above ground route of the tunnel as it runs underneath the 3 Estates, over the Wast Hill to the Hopwood end of the tunnel. As this is roughly two miles suitable shoes should be worn. Transport will be available to complete the return journey to a picnic/buffet and discussion including a poetry reading back at the Kings 3 Café on The Fold.
Over the past 200 years, the canal has been the one constant feature of this area. The contours of the landscape we see today were formed to a great extent by the excavations carried out during its construction. How the Kings Norton 3 Estates area has developed in the past and particularly how it may develop in the future is the theme for what promises to be an entertaining and informative journey.
The event is free. To book your place, and for further details please call Rita Fletcher on 07877503392 or email to rita_fletcher111@hotmail.com
WALKTHELINE is a POWER PARTY. Remember to switch off any appliances, lights etc before leaving home.
