Sustainablility and environmental policy forum

Location: 

NICVA,
61 Duncairn Gardens,
Belfast,
BT15 2GB

Start: 

29 November 2011 - 9:30am

End: 

29 November 2011 - 12:00pm

Cost: 

Free

This series of seminars focusing on the issues of renewable commodities, such as energy, food, water and transportation, will help voluntary and community organisations not directly involved in the environmental sector to recognise the connections between the environment and affordable energy and food, sustainable transport and physical wellbeing and mental health.

Using all resources efficiently, from energy to water to money, is increasingly vital, especially for those on constrained incomes.  It is a proven fact that those on the lowest incomes suffer the most from poor quality environments, and are the most subject to problems such as floods, energy price increases and poor air quality.  The ‘environment’ is not something ‘out there’ with little influence on our daily lives; it is fundamental to our health and wellbeing and needs to be recognised as such.

The events will explore how to think in broad terms to make these connections and find creative and integrative solutions to many diverse problems.   ‘Prevention is better than cure’ when addressing any issue, not just health; by working now to prevent or at least minimise the impacts of problems we can save money as well as promote individual and societal wellbeing.  

By working together between groups and across sectors it is possible to devise and implement cost-effective and beneficial solutions to many of the major problems facing all people on a daily basis.  Working in isolation can lead to duplication of effort, waste of resources and extra cost.  If we are to develop innovative and effective solutions to these major problems we need to think in new ways and take advantage of the ideas from all sectors, working together to make everyone’s life better.

The series of events will take place between November 2011 and December 2012 with the first event  on Tuesday 29 November 2011. Speakers on the day will include Professor Christine Liddell from the University of Ulster and Andy McCrea, Chair of the Northern Ireland Environment Link and the event will be chaired by Professor Sue Christie, Chair of the Sustainability and Environmental Policy Forum and Chief Executive of Northern Ireland  Environment Link. Other organisations have also been invited to deliver presentations on new ideas of working and examples of best practice. A full agenda will be confirmed in due course.