lbc and the environment

The planet is in danger. There are many practical steps that we can take to help create a sustainable future. But simply treating the symptoms, although important, is not enough – we need to address the causes of our human and ecological predicament. In short, we need to create an ecology of mind.

2007 is a year of environmental activity at the London Buddhist Centre. Our first major event of the year was ‘Planet Mind’ on 1 February, with meditation and a film screening of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ at the Prince Charles Cinema, just off Leicester Square. More than 250 people attended the event, which started with meditation led by Maitreyabandhu, who also introduced Al Gore’s extraordinary film about climate change. It was an important and enjoyable gathering for the London sangha and others interested in meditation and the environment. The film really brings home the “persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue - rather, it is the biggest moral challenge facing our global civilization.” The screening was a fundraiser for the Building for the 21st Century appeal, which aims to provide funds for transforming the LBC in time for its 30th anniversary in 2008.

There are a number of further environmental events happening throughout the year at the LBC, including days focusing on the six elements and the environment.

Further information about the LBC’s year of environmental activity is available from info@lbc.org.uk.

tHE bIG SWITCH

Our next major activity is ‘The Big Switch’. We are hoping to switch the whole of the Buddhist Village in Bethnal Green over to 100% renewable energy on 21 June 2007. This will reduce our total annual emissions of CO2 (the most important greenhouse gas) by over 60% to 44.5 tonnes. And we are hoping that you will join us – we want as many households and businesses as possible to make the Big Switch on 21 June. It is the biggest practical step you can take and probably also the easiest. Simply send your name, address and telephone number to bigswitch@lbc.org.uk and we will arrange for Ecotricity, our energy partner, to arrange the switch. In addition to the environmental benefits, Breathing Space, the LBC’s health and wellbeing project, receives £10 for each switch. Further information about Ecotricity is given below. Why not make The Big Switch today?

Ecotricity

Have we considered how green our electricity is? The London Buddhist Centre has teamed up with Ecotricity - the world's first green electricity company - to help you to power your home or business with electricity that doesn’t cost the earth.

Why switch to Ecotricity?

•Ecotricity does not cause climate change because it is generated from sources that don't pollute and won't run out.

•For most people Ecotricity won’t cost any more because they match the prices of the local electricity supplier in each region, making green power a real choice for everyone - not just a few.

•Ecotricity's profits are put back into building new wind turbines.

•Ecotricity is building new sources of green electricity to meet demands well into the future.

•Ecotricity is independent, without external shareholders.

I'm interested, so where now?

CLICK HERE to find out more about green electricity or to sign up to Ecotricity.
Or phone: call 08000 326 100 and quote reference 'LBC2'.

Environmental Audit of the Buddhist Village

A series of ‘environmental audits’ have been carried out around the Buddhist Village to help us understand the environmental impacts of the communities and businesses associated with the LBC. The audits have also helped us to develop actions to improve our performance over the next year. Some of the headlines from the audit programme include:

Climate Change. The total annual emissions of CO2 (the most important greenhouse gas) from the LBC, the right livelihood businesses and the communities is 114.4 tonnes. The Buddhist Village as a whole is hoping to switch to 100% renewable electricity, which would reduce our CO2 by over 60% to 44.5 tonnes. We will also reduce our overall energy consumption by taking steps to heat and light our communities and businesses more efficiently.

Waste and recycling. All of our businesses and communities take some steps to minimise the amount they throw away, and have access to recycling facilities. We are looking at ways to reduce our waste and to recycle more, by spreading good practice across all parts of the Buddhist Village.

Transport. Most of those who live and work around the Buddhist Village generally travel on foot, by bike or on public transport. There is very little private car use, and not much air travel. We will look to promote more sustainable transport patterns by improving cycling facilities for communities and by encouraging visitors to travel to the LBC and Vajrasana by non-car means.

Purchasing. Many of the communities and businesses try, where possible, to purchase (and sell) products with good environmental credentials – locally-produced, organic, recycled, biodegradable – but there is more to be done. The businesses will be assisted in reviewing their purchasing activities over the next year, so that a wider range of environmentally-sound products are used at and sold through these businesses.

Biodiversity. Efforts are made to use the outdoor space around the Buddhist Village to promote opportunities for wildlife. However, we think we can do more. So we will be getting expert advice on how we can make best use of our outdoor space to maximise its value for biodiversity.

Overall sustainability. The communities around the LBC have an ‘Ecological Footprint’ (a measure of the overall environmental impact of our lifestyles) of approximately 2.6 hectares per resident. This is less than half the Ecological Footprint of the typical Londoner (5.8 hectares), but 0.7 hectares higher than the Ecological Footprint arising from a truly sustainable lifestyle.

For more detailed information on the findings of the environmental audits, a full report is available. An action plan setting out what we intend to do over the next year is also available.