Bristol Green Capital
Helping to create a Low Carbon City with a High Quality of Life for All
The Schumacher Institute through the EU funded Converge project would like to invite you to participate in an EU-funded research workshop on the Food System in Bristol and the South West.The CONVERGE project is investigating ways in which the earth’s resources can be managed and allocated fairly in order to make the transition towards a sustainable future. One vital component of this research is an exploration of the food system (from soil to post-consumer waste) in 3 communities: India, Iceland and the UK. In the UK, Bristol and the South West area that provides much of the city’s food has been selected. We are working with local businesses and organisations affected by and involved in the food sector in order to investigate the potential impacts of drivers like climate change, population demographics, and rising energy and fertiliser prices on the food system and related industries.This is being achieved through a series of workshops, where the participants are developing a vision for a sustainable food system, and producing a realistic computer model of how a sustainable local food system could operate in Bristol incorporating all sectors and stages: production, employment, import, export etc.
The next Bristol workshop takes place on the 12th of January 2012 from 10:00 – 16:30 at Coexist (Map). Through your participation in these workshops you will gain access to the computer models generated by the research enabling you to take a wide view of the connections and interactions between different areas of the food system and giving you insight into how the food sector and related industries can prepare for future changes. You will also receive a practitioner focused implementation plan for Bristol and the South West aimed at supporting a sustainable future for the food system and its related industries – this may be useful for decision making in your area of the sector.
The first workshop on Nov 1st which tool place at the Science Park got them off to a flying start. Notes from that session are available from the converge website. You can also get a bit more information on these workshops.
If you are interested in taking part in the research or would like more information, please contact Alice-Marie Archer – alice@schumacherinstitute.org.uk (07835262968.)
Finally, the group would welcome suggestions for others in the food related industries you think may want to take part.