The Sustainability and Environmental Policy Forum in NICVA is planning on hosting a series of events around the issue of renewable energy, food, water and transportation between November 2011 and December 2012.

This series of seminars 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’ approach 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 first event will take place on Tuesday 29 November from 9.30am to 12.00noon in NICVA and will deal with the issue of renewable energy. 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.

We are still working on the final agenda for the day and papers will be sent out in due course but I just wanted to inform people to provide adequate notice. Please feel free to contact me if you would like any further information. Also, I would be grateful if you could forward this to any colleagues you think it might be of interest to.

Cost			Free
Time			9.30am to 12.00noon
Contact			Patricia Stewart 028 9087 7777 patricia.stewart@nicva.org www.nicva.org