Action Briefing Dec 2002 - Jan 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Go On, Treat Yourself This Christmas - Buy Nothing!

November 30th 2002 is UK Buy Nothing Day, the self proclaimed festival of frugal living, making the case against consumerism in the run up to Christmas. It’s a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life.

This year the message is clear, shop less - live more! The challenge is to try simple living for a day, and spend time with family and friends, rather than spend money on them. Buy Nothing Day also exposes the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. The developed countries - only 20% of the world population - are consuming over 80% of the earth’s natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage and unfair distribution of wealth. As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them.

Of course, Buy Nothing Day isn’t about changing your lifestyle for just one day. We want people to make a commitment to consuming less, recycling more and challenging companies to clean up and be fair.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY! This year, Birmingham FOE’s Buy Nothing Day celebrations will have featured a parade of curmudgeonly santas mingling with the New Street shoppers, and perhaps a stall where people can make their Christmas cards rather than buying them. But anyone can join in, and do anything. You just have to spend a day without spending!
For more information please contact Jenny at the Warehouse, or have a look at www.buynothingday.co.uk.

Jenny Thatcher