A Dozen Inch Drums

07/11/2021

Politicians making mental health a priority, or pushing access to parks as an important issue, may seem radically different to the status quo but unprecedented crises call for new solutions.

According to Stewart Wallis, the chair of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, a global network promoting change in economic systems, the coronavirus crisis has created a “major opportunity” for leaders to shift focus away from just growth and onto wellbeing measures.

07/11/2021

The New Zealand government won international plaudits for its handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Acting swiftly and taking strict measures such as closing borders have helped to keep the death toll from the coronavirus at just 22.

Perhaps coincidentally, New Zealand is also one of a handful of Wellbeing Economy Governments – a group of countries that share expertise on how to put the health and wellbeing of people and the natural world alongside economic growth as the aim of policy making. Other members of the partnership include Scotland, Wales and Iceland.

03/11/2021

Announced in January, the draft Birmingham Transport Plan paints a picture of a cleaner, greener second city with car-free streets, better public transport, more cycle lanes and a ban on through traffic.

Supporters say the plan will address the twin perils of toxic air and obesity – both a major concern in Birmingham – and help the city meet its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Critics fear it could put people off visiting.

03/11/2021

One of the things I remember about growing up in the West Midlands is the burgundy overalls. You don’t see them anymore, but thousands of car workers – my father included – used to put them on before starting their shift at the old Rover factory in Birmingham, which closed in 2005.

Back then, Brum made motors – that was its thing – so there’s something symbolic about the city now having one of the most ambitious proposals in Europe to drive them out.

01/11/2021

The package was far from perfect – critics say it doesn’t do enough to guarantee that money won’t be appropriated for ‘brown’ projects – but it demonstrated Brussels’ commitment to build back better in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Brussels is far from alone in that message. As we shift from crisis management to recovery, voices from industry, academia and politics are making the case that the only recovery worth having is one that prioritises tackling the climate crisis, boosting renewable energy, restoring natural habitats and decarbonising transport and housing.

30/10/2021

HI!!

30/10/2021

30/10/2021