Press Release

Become a Golden Supporter

For Immediate Release: Wednesday 27th November 2002

Photo Opportunity: Sat 30th Nov '02, 12.00 noon. A herd of Father Christmases parading up and down New Street's pedestrian shopping precinct carrying placards bearing slogans including "Money CAN Buy You Love" and "DEBT: It's what Christmas is all About". People demonstrating their commitment to not buying into buying things by playing games in the street.

No Purchase Necessary - it's Buy Nothing Day in Brum!

On Saturday 30th November 2002, campaigners from Friends of the Earth will be asking Birmingham shoppers to think about the effects of their consumption. Buy Nothing Day UK is the self-proclaimed festival of frugal living, a day when you can challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life.

The message from Buy Nothing Day's national organisers is simple: shop less - live more! The challenge is to try simple living for a day, spend time with family and friends, rather than spend money on them.There are no rules to Buy Nothing Day, all you need to do is spend a day without spending.

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.

This year, Buy Nothing Day will be biggest 24-hour moratorium against consumerism ever. People in around the UK will make a pact with themselves to take a break from shopping as a personal experiment or public statement, and public Buy Nothing Day events will take place in almost 30 towns and cities around the UK, Ireland and Jersey. In Birmingham a parade of Father Christmases will help shoppers to celebrate, encouraging them to make their own cards and presents, and showing people that Christmas does not have to be about over-consumption, stress and debt.

Jenny Thatcher of Birmingham Friends of the Earth said:

"Buy Nothing Day doesn't just have to be for 24 hours. This year British people will spend an average of £862 on Christmas, and every year we're encouraged to buy more, spend more. We're asking people to make a long-term commitment to consuming less, recycling more and challenging companies to clean up and be fair, which will benefit not only the environment and the developing world but also ourselves. Consumer culture is a debt trap and we don't have to fall for it."

For more information on Buy Nothing Day visit www.buynothingday.co.uk or email info@buynothingday.co.uk