Info, news & debate
Recent Posts
Recycle and reuse vs throwing away electrical waste
Electrial products and e-waste are often dumped in landfill. Find out about different ways we can deal with the rubbish.
How credit clearing can change the global monetary system: interview with Tomaž Fleischman of Informal Systems
Tom Woodroof of Lowimpact and Mutual Credit Services talks with Tomaž Fleischman of Informal Systems about credit clearing. We believe that credit clearing is one of the four crucial tools in building a new commons economy.
11 easy wild garlic recipes
Spring has sprung and with it comes one of the edible plants for the forager, wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Most people who have dabbled in foraging will know wild garlic (or ramsons) as a great plant to start with as it’s simple to recognise and use in cooking. It’s one of our absolute favourite wild foods. …
The transition to renewable energy will not / cannot happen within the current economy
This is the first of a two-part conversation, about whether we can transition to renewable energy within the current system, or whether we need system change.
20 year research project reveals devastating loss of British and Irish flora
What has causes a devestating decline in British and Irish flora?
Degrowth or ‘green growth’?
Degrowth’s foundational opposition to continued economic expansion presents a clear challenge to coalition-building on climate. But degrowth is grounded in the ecological reality that resources are finite, a key truth that mainstream climate advocates seem to ignore.
Upcycling an old frame into a chalk board
Learn how to upcycle an old and broken mirror or picture frame into an interesting chalk board.
Stroud Commons part 2: starting a ‘commoners club’
A group of us in Stroud (Gloucs) have formed a ‘commoners club’ to try to build commons infrastructure here, and to document what happens so that it can be replicated in other towns.
Housing co-op seeking founder members
Lusan Housing Co-op is a fully mutual co-operative, registered with the FCA and applying to join Radical Routes. There’s six of us at the moment and we’re actively seeking more founder members. We are going to start raising loanstock in April and hope to buy land and buildings somewhere in Dumfries and Galloway later this …
Worried about fruit & veg rationing? Let’s grow our own, in our communities
Every so often something happens that punctures our sense of what’s normal. In the UK one of those events was empty shelves that used to display fruit and veg. Then supermarkets began rationing some food items.
Bring on the peat ban – no garden should cost the Earth
Despite UK-wide commitments to end the use of peat in horticulture, the legislation needed to make this happen is still frustratingly out of reach. This week, an official announcement on the ban in England was postponed because of the Conservative Party leadership election; and the other three administrations have no firm plans on the table. …
Rewilding or local food production?
We like the idea of rewilding, but it needs much more thought when it removes good UK lowland farmland – because then, obviously, land elsewhere will have to brought into agricultural production to take up the slack.
In celebration of soft fruit
A celebration of local, seasonal soft fruit and the memories that it can evoke.
A brief history of credit clearing, with Hans-Florian Hoyer
Hans-Florian Hoyer is a retired banker and academic who specialises in the history of credit clearing – especially credit clearing at medieval trade fairs. Credit clearing is a crucial part of building a new commons economy, because it reduces the need for money and banks in communities, and it helps small businesses survive through difficult times.
Career change? Work with Mutual Credit Services
Invitation to apply to work with Mutual Credit Services. We’ve got more work in prospect than we can handle, and what we really need now is more creative human capacity.
More Sustainable (and Beautiful) Alternatives to a Grass Lawn
Ideas from the American NRDC about how to develop a sustainable alternative for your lawn.
Matthew Slater’s money news roundup
Matthew Slater, co-author of the Credit Commons white paper, produces a biannual roundup of money news he finds interesting. Here’s the latest.
Preparing for new growth at Imbolc
How the Celtic festival of Imbolc can inspire new growth.
Commons housing: another brief explainer, this time by Dil Green
Brief introduction to a new model of commons housing to replace the current, broken housing market.
Village halls – a sustainable success story
Our village halls can be a beacon for sustainable living, community activities and the sharing of ideas!