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You Don’t Need To Give So Much

As someone who has spent most of their life oversharing, it’s difficult to take a step back. I joined social media when I was around 13, making my first profile on MySpace. It was the ultimate cool thing to have. A profile which you could adapt to show how unique you were, a place where you could put your favourite song, a friend list which could be edited to showcase your top 8 ‘besties’ (and be beyond upset if you weren’t featured on someone else’s.) I added everyone I knew and even people I didn’t, spent hours taking selfies to get the perfect profile picture and dreamed of being as beautiful and edgy and complicated as all the scene kids on there.

Facebook and twitter soon came along, and I was sharing everything. My hobbies - you got it! Where I went to school - it’s there! I gave so much to these websites, and slowly began to build my self worth from them. Getting over 100 likes on a picture when I dyed my hair purple was a badge of honour for me. It meant I was attractive, worthy, liked, maybe even envied. And if I got less likes on the next picture, it meant I’d done something wrong. I’d lost favour. People hated me. What had changed? Was it the angle? Did I look bad? I would try again with a new picture the next day.

Last but not least was my current vice, Instagram. Instagram is the one social media I still have trouble with. I find it endlessly addicting, and could spend hours scrolling, liking, commenting and messaging my friends. Even now that I’ve made it less personal, I still struggle. Because my initial instinct is to be liked, and I’ve learnt that to be liked means to share and so I often, without realising, have a terrible habit of oversharing.

I think somewhat that women have been conditioned this way. To value being liked and to actively seek it. And so, from a young age we’re taught not to be rude, to answer when spoken to, to be pliable and easy going. So we give pieces of ourselves away. Sometimes even information that we would rather not share, but we fear coming across as ‘a bitch’ if we do not. So we share. And we share and we share and sooner or later you find yourself flowing out of your body and your mind and into the possession of others, and you look to them for guidance and value. You hope they might deem you as special or important. You give so much away, and then fail to find the value in yourself.

After watching The Big Hack I deleted Facebook. A few months later I deleted twitter. I recently watched The Social Dilemma, and have started to feel the itching within me to remove myself from Instagram. Because if something doesn’t serve me - why do I allow it in my life? I’m slowly learning to reconnect with myself physically and mentality, and be my own parent. What do I want to do today? What will bring me happiness? How can I restore balance to myself?

I’ve been picking up a lot of hobbies again, and not sharing them, because it helps me realise that I can have something that is just mine and no one else’s. That I can do things without having to show others. I don’t need anyone else’s approval in what I can and can’t do in my life.

I’ll probably always have a problem with oversharing, but at least I can try to make peace with it, and learn to keep some things for myself.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

Timestamps, sources, resources:

Pre Owned = Pre Loved!

In a world dominated by consumerism and having the newest product as soon as possible, it’s nice to take a step back and see what items you can source from others. From electronics, to furniture, there are a huge number of websites geared towards finding pre owned items a new home. But where to begin? What websites and apps are out there? I’m going to spend this blog telling you about a few you might already know, and a few you might not.

For electronics, I recently discovered BackMarket, a website which sells refurbished goods. From smart phones, to games consoles, to cameras, to laptops... if you’re looking for anything electronic you’ll most likely be able to find it here. A lot of people question what the difference between ‘used’ and ‘refurbished’ is, but Back Market have that explanation covered on their website:

‘In both cases, the two devices are pre owned or "second-hand" but that's where the similarities end. A refurbished [product] has been tuned up and brought back to perfect working condition in a factory before being sold on Back Market. So basically a refurbished [product] has the double advantage of being both cheap as well as also having a professional refurbisher guarantee its excellent quality.’

I made a purchase from Back Market recently and was so overjoyed by it. My laptop speakers are on their last legs, and music is a huge part of mine and my partners life but it became frustrating when my laptop speakers started distorting every single sound. We’d been discussing the idea of buying a bluetooth speaker my partner remembered Back Market. We bought a JBL Flip 5 (which has a recommended retail price of €130) for €100. It was advertised as having visible scratches and wear, but when it arrived we were happily surprised to see that it looked brand new. I love being able to purchase something of good quality, without having to contribute to consumerism, by giving a ‘used’ product a new home.

For second hand items that haven’t been refurbished, it’s good to check websites like Gumtree or your Facebook marketplace. Consider these websites, however, as similar to that of a charity shop. There might be a lot of spam (or what my dad calls ‘tat,’) to get through before you find what you’re looking for. When me and my partner were moving from the UK to France we sold all of our furniture on Gumtree either for free or for around half the cost of what we originally paid. They were all picked up quickly, were wanted and resulted in us having a bit of cash in our pockets. Other alternatives to Gumtree are Craigslist, Ebay, Etsy, Wallapop, Trove Market and Krrb. In France we have Paruvendu and LeBonCoin. It only takes a moment to find the website for your area, and then you’re sailing!

If you live in a big city, you probably also stumble into things left on the street. Me and my partner found and brought home two HUGE epic mirrors last year, which were originally part of a dresser which had been dismantled and left on the curb. We also found an ikea clothes rail that, once given a clean, now has a new home in our flat. If it doesn’t gross you out (which it shouldn’t, because almost everything can be cleaned and fixed up) you can find some real gems out there.

It also takes no time to hit up your family and friends and see what they have that they don’t want any more. Myself and my partner recently moved, and were lucky enough to have lots of his family members give us their old furniture. If you’re handy or creative, it takes little to no time to give these items a new lease of life. Something small that bugs me with furniture is that I don’t like having lots of different wood tones in a room. It makes me feel like the room is disorganised. On the flip side, I love painting. I’m not good at it, but I love it. And so when we were given some different tables in varying sizes I decided to give them a bit of a makeover.

(Image of a coffee table painted with a white base and orange, green and pink lines to look somewhat like a road map, inspired by Lucy and Yak’s ‘Sundaze’ collection as well as Samiir Saunders, and also of a round end table, painted in circular stripes in the same colours.)

When it comes to fashion, check out shops that sell vintage fashion or dead stock (I’ll insert a link of two previous blogs here & here on the topic!) Otherwise, check out what fashion swaps there might be in your area. These kinds of markets are becoming increasingly popular, where you take some items from your wardrobe that you wouldn’t mind saying goodbye to and swap them with others to keep your wardrobe fresh and to ensure that the clothing is not mindlessly being thrown into a charity bin. If you can’t find a swap market in your area, start one with your friends and make it regular thing. Otherwise, if you have a special event coming where you feel like you need a one off, special item, look into renting (one to check out is The Endless Wardrobe)!

And what about one of the most wasted products on Earth? Food. Food is thrown away at an alarming rate, and for reasons that can seem pointless. An apple has a bruise? Some bread has a bit of mould on the corner? You have leftovers from a new days ago and they look a bit sad now? You only needed one pepper, but they only come in a pack of three? Food waste is a huge issue, and a huge emitter of green house gases. (Check out this Deliciously Ella podcast episode where she speaks to Tessa Clarke.) There are a number of ways this can be combated. By joining the sharing app OLIO, which allows you to share unwanted groceries with your neighbours. Or get your community on board without apps by heading to local council meetings and speaking up on the issue. In some areas across the world, fridges are set up in public spaces to provide a solution to this problem (you can find another article on public fridges here!)

By adapting this way of consuming products, you inadvertently begin to lean towards a more circular economy. Instead of throwing something out and replacing it with something new, you learn to search for what is already out there. You begin to make use of someone else’s unwanted items, and in turn, be more aware of what you already own. ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,’ rings a bell here.

What items have you found that, without you taking them, would have been thrown away? What methods of reusing and re-purposing do you have using items you already own? What websites do you check before buying something new? Let me know by commenting below.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

Questions, sources, resources:

Sources:

https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

https://www.recyclerebuild.org/

https://aplasticplanet.com/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/plastic-pollution/

Blog Posts:

'Why I Don't Support Amazon' | 'Moon(cup) Landing' | 'My Top 5 Less Waste / Zero Waste Essentials' | 'Freedom From Plastic' | ‘A World Without Wet Wipes'

Products:

Questions, sources, resources:

COVID-19 Has Shown The Cracks In Our Systems.

And now, it’s on us to fix them.

From contrasting and downright confusing advise and rules, to reports showing that the BAME community are more likely to die from Coronavirus. From the brief drop in emissions, to the bailouts of those companies which contribute the most to climate change, we have seen how the world does not work for all people.

So what comes next? How do we implement a fairer society for all? It is only in these moments, in such disaster, that we finally realise the urgent steps we must take in order to ensure a future that works for me, also works for the garment workers in Bangladesh, for those living in poverty, for BIPOC, for refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, the homeless, the suffering.

We’ve seen so much unrest across the world too. So here are four key issues that I have seen highlighted throughout the pandemic, and what steps we can take to positively impact and change them so that we may see everyone flourish.

1. The BLM movement is at full force, and I couldn’t be anymore amazed and in awe of the black people I know who have fought and are still fighting for their right to live, be accepted and treated as equal, but now we white people must stand. Black people have been speaking up their whole life, but it’s not their responsibility to fix a problem that was not started by them. There are so many resources out there. We need to educate ourselves, and tear down white supremacy, and that needs to come from white people. We need to engage with black businesses and artists, and not only buy books on racism or turn to our black friends for education, but to support black fiction authors, black film makers, black make up artists, black clothing brands, black art... the list goes on.

Some places to start on educating yourself are here:

‘Covid-19: Understanding the Impact on BAME communities,’ but it’s important to note that there are pages missing.

Black women are five times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. Nova Reid sat down with Mars Lord who is a Doula, birth worker, educator and activist to discuss this on her podcast, ‘Conversations with Nova Reid.’

Find a list of black owned businesses over on this Instagram post by ‘The Fat Funny One.’

If you’re looking for even more resources, I did a master post of everything I could find on the topic, but a quick google will find you so much more.

2. Countries and communities around the world are in trouble, and need our attention and help. From the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, to the treatment of Uyghur Muslim’s in China, to the conditions of garment workers in Leicester (and around the world - I’ll go into more detail on this for my third point), to the LGBTQ+ community who are having basic human rights stripped from them, to the black men and women (including trans men and women) who are still being pushed down, hurt and killed. It can be overwhelming at times to understand the amount of pain and suffering people are facing in their every day lives, especially if, like me, you are a white, cis-gender, heterosexual person who has not experienced major oppression.

So what can we do in this scenario? We can, if we have the funds, donate to charities that will directly help and impact these communities in a positive way. Sometimes, when we sign petitions, the website can ask for donations to ‘boost the petition,’ but I would encourage you to steer clear from this. We don’t need to fund change.org or other such websites, we need to find those organisations that are on the ground helping. Grassroots organisations. Or fundraisers that will directly go to someone or a community in need. If we don’t have the funds, we can educate ourselves and share the information we’ve learnt with our friends and family, have conversations, email our government officials, write to our leaders, and continue to ask why certain groups of people are seen as disposable and less than. The phrase, ‘Silence is violence,’ has been shared across social media more often since the BLM movement took to the streets to demand justice for George Floyd and all those who have died due to the colour of their skin - and silence is violence. If we stay silent, we uphold the status quo. We uphold the oppression and exploitation of others, and we, while we may not intend to, reap the rewards of suffering because we are not standing against it.

3. #PayUp is calling out companies worldwide who are using the pandemic to withhold payment from garment makers. The Independent writes: ‘Workers facing destitution as factory set to close within days unless Philip Green’s fashion empire pays for existing orders.’ A number of fast fashion industries are involved, including (but not limited to) Arcadia, Primark, Fashion Nova and Forever 21. To see a full list of those companies who have paid or not paid, check out Re/make’s website, and head to Support Garment Workers to sign the petitions calling for brands to #PayUp.

I’ve posted about fast fashion a few times already on my blog and the reasons behind why I do not support fast fashion and do not shop at high street retailers. That being said, sometimes it is not possible for everyone to boycott a shop. I would urge, that if you are in a position where you can afford to buy better, to source your clothes from shops that truly support their workers by paying them a real living wage, and who use organic, natural materials and dyes in their clothing. Extinction Rebellion can help you get started if you sign up to their XR52 campaign, in which you pledge to not buy any new clothes for a year.

This might seem extreme to some, especially for those of you out there who have a passion for fashion (is that the Bratz slogan? Anyway... moving on) but don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon. I know I have bought new materials and textiles in my year of ‘boycotting fashion,’ but I have not bought anything from fast fashion retailers. When I have shopped, I’ve really thought about it. What is the company like? How are they supporting their workers? How are they packaging their product? How does it arrive to me? What is it made out of? Will I wear it often? Is this an impulse purchase? This way, when I do make a purchase, I’m making a conscious decision that it will be a lifelong addition to my wardrobe, and not just a one off party outfit.

You can keep up to date with the #PayUp campaign via re/make, Clean Clothes Campaign, Venetia La Manna, and Pull Up For Change.

4. The climate crisis is still very much a thing. Climate change didn’t say, ‘Oh look, the Earth seems to be dealing with a pandemic, let’s just chill out for a bit.’ Similarly to how BAME communities have suffered at the hands of Covid-19, those same communities and the global south are also suffering at the hands of climate change.

‘According to this report, 68% of African Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, a reality that is tied to increased birth defects, heart disease, asthma, lung disease, learning difficulties, and lower property values, all disproportionately affecting African American communities in the US... Black Americans are those most harmed by the fossil fuel industry, yet they have almost no access to the industry’s profit.’ - Better Future Project

The UK government decided to bail out the airline industry, which would be one of the top ten emitters in the world if it were a country (Source: ADAPT___). In fact, most governments have given hand outs to these big polluters. I haven’t seen many countries seriously look at coming out of COVID-19 with a green recovery in mind. The only country I can think of from the top of my head is Germany. Though, sources (Reuters, European Commission, The Guardian, EURACTIV) say the EU will be planning on implementing a New Green Deal, and a green recovery for the economy. But we’ll see if their words align with their actions as they so often fall short.

If you haven’t yet, I would really recommend reading On Fire by Naomi Klein. I have just started it, but it is already an amazing read, and I can’t wait to get stuck in further.

I think, when it comes down to it, we need to keep learning, sharing, educating and talking. When we continue to speak up and have these conversations, we see more people beginning to understand the gravitas of the situation. And it is overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to step back and take a break from the information if you need to. We all need to take time to process. If you’re constantly fighting it’ll lead to burn out. Learn, stand up, raise your voice, but then rest so that you can come back stronger.

Sending you all much love while we are still struggling through this pandemic. Stay safe, wear you face masks, and keep showing up. If you feel overwhelmed and not sure where to start, I urge you, just start somewhere, and the rest will follow.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

Questions, tangents, sources, resources:

Sources:

Part Two: How Does The Body Neutrality Movement Connect With Sustainability and Lower Consumerism.

This is a part two to my post for Got You Girl, ‘What Is Body Neutrality and How Did It Help Me?’ It’s not necessary to read that one to understand this post, but if you want more information and some backstory, follow the link!

I first heard the term body neutrality from Jameela Jamil, who expressed that she started to get more done when she stopped thinking about her body. She has been a huge advocate for body neutrality, and even changed the way we are advertised to on social media. This is why celebrities and influencers being paid to share a product now have to disclose that information. It means that we can see when we’re being sold something instead of believing that the product in question is a part of the persons day to day life. Remember all those waist trainers, detox teas, and vitamin gummy bears? Chances are the person advertising them is not using them.

Body neutrality and sustainability go hand in hand, because by being apart of this movement, it also means that you’re unlikely to feel the need to buy something in order to change or better your appearance. With the rise of social media, companies quickly learnt that they could reach their target audience by hiring influencers or celebrities to sell their products, and we’ve seen it all. From the Kardashians, to fashion models, to our favourite actors, there was a time where everyone who was ‘someone’ was advertising something. Combine this with gossip rags and online tabloids tearing others down for gaining weight or, god forbid, having cellulite, the masses bought into the idea that if they wore the same waist trainers that Kim Kardashian wore, or if they bought the lip kits that Kyle Jenner created, that they would become more like their idols.

Consumerism itself is fueled by tearing people down, to then sell them something to fix the issue. Most of these issues have been predominantly directed at women, though we’re seeing more and more advertising directed at men. The next time you open up or Instagram or Facebook, consider how many adverts you get that are selling you something purely to fix an issue you did not initially have. For example, a mascara that will fix you natural eyelashes. Then fake eyelashes to go on top of that for added length a curl. Then a clear gel to put on your natural eyelashes at night to help them regrow after the stress of mascara and false lashes has put on them… do you see a pattern here? I could have used any physical attribute as an example. There is always going to be something new on the market to fix you, despite the fact that you were never broken in the first place.

Matt Haig wrote on his Instagram account, ‘Consumerism wants you to feel guilty. That’s how it makes money. A new year won’t mean a new you. You are not an iPhone. You don’t need replacing every year… Don’t feel guilty about not dieting or exercising yourself into a temporary new form. Just be kind to yourself. Get to know the old you. Don’t throw yourself away like another piece of plastic trash. You are everything you already are.’

Guilt is what sells. Making you feel guilty, makes you feel like you need to be doing something to fill that void. Body neutrality allows you to turn away from marketing, because you don’t need it to appreciate and love yourself. I feel it is a movement that extends to material possessions too. By starting with being neutral with your body, you learn acceptance, and don’t need to try the latest diet or supplements to change the way you look. This, in turn, starts you realising you don’t need to update the electronics you own just because there’s a newer model. You don’t need to buy new clothes for each season. You don’t need to own something just because someone you look up to owns it. It’s about acknowledging what is working in your life now, and going with it, rather than chucking something perfectly good away simply because there is something newer.

There are some saddening figures on some of the big industries selling us quick fixes. In 2018 the weight loss industry was worth an estimated $189.8 Billion. Due to the rise of social media, millennials have taken over baby boomers at being the biggest buyers of weight loss products, and weight loss surgeries have increased by 5%. Despite this, people’s knowledge of food has increased and consumers are less likely to buy drinks with added sugar, sodas or foods that aren’t organic, which means diet companies are having to think differently. They’re not selling us meal plans anymore, not like Weight Watchers sold to our parents. They’re selling supplements, teas and coffees. Quick, short term fixes.

The cosmetic surgery and procedure market size has been estimated to reach $43.9 billion by 2025, while Americans, ‘Spent more than $16.5 Billion on cosmetic plastic surgery in 2018.’ The beauty industry too is a big industry, a $532 billion industry, if you needed to know, though this article highlights how consumers are leaning towards companies who offer sustainable ranges, don’t test on animals, use organic ingredients and have recyclable or circular containers (by circular I mean containers that can be sent back to the company to be reused or correctly broken down, not the shape.)

And while I fully respect everyone having their own choices, by getting surgery if they want to, or by buying make up, or by dieting, I do sometimes feel angry that these industries and their successes were built by criticising and destroying others. Which is why, for me, body neutrality has to be the way forward. Because it will tell these industries that we don’t need them to fix ourselves. Of course, you can wear make up to make you feel good, or get fit if it’s your choice, but don’t do it because you feel like you are not enough as you are, or because you’ve been shamed to the point of feeling like there is no other option.

Jameela Jamil started I Weigh to talk about all the things she weighs that is not a number, because we are so much more than the scales or our clothing size. To round this post off, I’d love for you to join me by sharing what you weigh. Even better, share what you weigh on your social medias and tag I Weigh. Spread the word on the body neutrality movement. Together we are many. Together we are strong. Together we are more than the faults that corporations have given us.

I weigh: A daughter, a sister, a partner, a friend, a singer, a blogger, a nounou (nanny), an animal lover, a music lover, plant based, zero waster, feminist, passionate about people and the planet, a sometimes runner, a foodie, someone who struggles with anxiety, a happy person.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap

BLM Master Post / Resources

No blog post this week. I felt like this was much more important. Here is a master post of everything I’ve found regarding the BLM movement, from petitions, to where you should donate, to reading, to accounts, to business... hopefully most of what you’re looking for can be found below. If I’ve missed anything vital please let me know and I will add it.

Petitions:

Justice for George Floyd (White House) | Justice for George Floyd (change.org) | Justice for George Floyd (change.org) | Justice for George Floyd (color of Change)

RAISE THE DEGREE - Remove bail for Derek Chauvin, murderer of George Floyd (White House) | Arrest The Other Three (White House) | Raise The Degree (change.org) | The Minneapolis Police Officers to be charged for murder (change.org)

#JusticeforBre (MoveOn.org) | #JusticeforBre (color of Change)

Justice For Ahmaud Arbery (change.org) | Justice for Ahmaud Arbery- Pass Georgia Hate Crime Bill (change.org) | Disbarment of George E. Barnhill (change.org)

Trayvon Martin Law (change.org)

Hands Up Act (change.org)

Justice for Belly Mujinga (change.org)

Justice for Tony McDade (change.org)

Justice for Alejandro Vargas Martinez (change.org)

Justice for Regis Korchinski-Paquet (change.org)

Wrongful Conviction: Julius Jones is innocent (change.org)

Wrongful Conviction: Kyjuanzi Harris (change.org)

Willie Simmons has served 38 years for a $9 robbery (change.org)

Defund The Police Minneapolis (Every Action / Reclaim The Block) | Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality (change.org) | National Action Against Police Brutality (change.org) | Against Police Brutality in France (change.org)

Demand Racial Data on Coronavirus (BLM) | Coronavirus: Demand More from the Government (BLM)

Get Schools to Speak Up (change.org)

Stand with BLM (organizefor.org)

Organisations to Donate to

George Floyd Memorial Fund

Minnesota Freedom Fund

Black Visions Collective

Reclaim the Block

Campaign Zero

Black Lives Matter

UKBLM

National Bailout Fund

Black Earth Farms

Communities United Against Police Brutality

Unicorn Riot

Louisville Community Bail Fund

Rebuilding the Community (We Love Lake Street)

United Families and Friends Campaign

COVID-19: Supporting BAME Communities

House of GG

Trans Justice Funding Project

The Okra Project

Youth Breakout

SNaPCo

Black AIDS Insitute

Trans Cultural District

LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund

For If You Have Little Money to Spare:

Check out these YouTube videos and play them while you go about your day (or actively watch! Up to you.) The ad revenue will be donated to organisations supporting black lives - but make sure you turn off your adblocker first.

By Zoe Amira

By Francesca Grace

By Cindy Marshall

By Danni and Emmyn

Instagram Accounts (source)

Nova Reid

Layla Saad

Rachel Cargle

Check Your Privilege

Rachel Ricketts

The Great Unlearn

Reni Eddo Lodge

Ibram X. Kendi

Galdem

The Irin Journal

Women Who

For Working Ladies

Thyself

Black Girl Fest

UK isn’t Innocent

Readbyrachelaa

Mikaela Loach

Podcasts

About Race with Remi Eddo-Lodge

Conversations with Nova Reid

iWeigh with Jameela Jamil

The YIKES podcast

Have You Heard George’s Podcast?

The World Wide Tribe

Zero Hour Talks

1619 by the New York Times

TV / Film (source)

13th

When They See Us

Selma

The Black Power Mixtape 1967 - 1975

I Am Not Your Negro

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

If Beale Street Could Talk

The Hate U Give

American Son

Trial by Media

Books: (Source)

How To Be Anti Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

Me and White Supremacy by Robin Diangelo and Layla Saad

Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Remi Eddo-Lodge

So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

America’s Original Sin By Jim Wallis and Bryan Stevenson

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Blindspot by Mahzarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald

Good Talk by Mira Jacob

Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

How Does It Feel To Be A Problem by Moustafa Bayoumi

The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

When They Call You A Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, et al.

An African American and Latin History of The United States by Paul Ortiz

Citizen by Claudia Rankine

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of The United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Mindful of Race by Ruth King

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Tears We Cannot Stop by Michael Eric Dyson

Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? By Mumia Abu-Jamal

The Coloraturas of Law by Richard Rothstein

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum

Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

This Book Is Anti Racist by Tiffany Jewell and Aurelia Durand

Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch

Children’s Books: (Source)

Malcolm Little by Ilyasah Shabazz

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard

My Hair Is A Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

Young Water Protectors by Aslan Tudor

My Family Divided by Diana Guerrero

We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell

I Am Not A Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer

Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library by Carole Boston Weatherford

Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren

When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford

When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Happy In Our Skin by Fran Manushkin

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor by Maria Dismondy

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carole Boston Weatherford

When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson & Julie Flett

Shining Star The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo & Lin Wang

Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History by Vashti Harrison

Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Sulwe by Vashti Harrison

A Is For Activist by Innosanto Nagara

Intersection Allies by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council & Carolyn Choi

What Is Race? Who Are Racists? Why Does Skin Colour Matter? And Other Big Questions by Clair Heuchan & Nikesh Shukla

Black Owned Businesses: (source)

Wales Bonner

Casely-Hayford

Daughter of a Bohemian

 Daily Paper

Aaks: Basket Bags

Martine Rose

Nubian Skin

Sincerely Nude

Liha Beauty

Beauty Stack

Bouclème: Afro and Curly Hair Products

Afrocenchix: Hair Products

The Afro Hair and Skin Company: shampoo bars, hair masks, face masks

Prick: Cacti and Plantcare

La Basketry: homeware

Bonita Ivie: stationery & design

Reset travel: travel cards and workshops

Bespoke Binny: homeware

New Beacon Books: Specialists in African and Caribbean Literature

Original Flava by Craig & Shaun McAnuff

Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen by Zoe Adjonyoh

Hibiscus by Lopè Ariyo

Ethiopia by Yohanis Gebreyesus

Belly Full by Riaz Phillips

Chika’s Snacks

Berry and Brie Grazing Boxes

Yard Confectionery Chocolate

Cabby’s Rum

Cham Cham Hot Pepper Sauce

Stay strong, and get learning (or unlearning)!

#blacklivesmatter #black lives matter #blm #black lives fucking matter #black lives have always mattered #black lives have value #black lives are human lives #black lives are important #blm resources #blm masterpost #blacklivesmatter resources #black lives matter masterpost #unlearn #solidarity

It’s Hip To Be Circular.

‘In the linear economy, raw natural resources are taken, transformed into products and get disposed of. On the opposite, a circular economy model aims to close the gap between the production and the natural ecosystems cycles – on which humans ultimately depend upon.’ (Circular Economy: Definitions, Principles, Benefits and Barriers, YouMatter)

Today, most products are created with a linear economy in mind. Where something is made to be bought and used, but eventually thrown away. Since the introduction of recycling, the world has tried to move towards eliminating waste by providing us with an opportunity to divide our rubbish into sections: cardboard and paper, tins and glass, and plastic. The idea behind this is that items coming packaged in these materials can be ‘easily’ collected, sorted through, recycled and reused.

We now know that it is not that simple. Statistics have shown us that a lot of materials do not get to their final destination. In 2017, around thirty five thousand tonnes of plastic was made, approximately two thousand tonnes was recycled and approximately five thousand tonnes was combusted. That leaves around twenty six thousand tonnes in our landfills. (Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, EPA.GOV)

So how can we encourage brands to move towards a circular economy, and what can we do as individuals to try and limit our waste as much as possible? On Circle-Economy’s website, they list the 7 key elements of a circular economy as being:

Prioritising regenerative resources

Preserving and extending what is already made

Using waste as a resource

Rethinking the business model

Designing for the future

Incorporating digital technology

Collaborating to create joint value

We’re already seeing companies being built with a circular economy at the forefront. Electronics company Fairphone sell phones with the workers and the product in mind - they ensure everyone in their supply chain is treated fairly and they deliver a product designed to last and that is easily fixable (unlike apple who design their phones to break down over a certain period of time). They also ask for you to send back your old phones, so that they may break them down correctly, and salvage what they can to reuse.

Fashion brands, like TattyMoo, Ilk + Ernie and Desert Fox Collective, design and produce clothing with less waste at the heart, by only using dead stock. This way, they help the environment by not producing more fabric, (which we know is a huge producer of greenhouse gasses each year), but by taking surplus fabric and giving it new life. Accessory brands Forage and Find Me, CLED and Argent Silversmith also reuse materials such as plastic waste found on beaches, glass and gold to create beautiful, one of a kind pieces.

Through these companies, we see the start of a future where using dead stock, recycled materials and waste can become a common, normal thing. Through their leadership and initiative, we may (and hope to!) see other companies following where they tread. It’s important to remember, though, that these products ultimately come to us and so, we also play a part in the life of an item. Most of my waste is either food scraps, or recycling, but there are a few things I do in order to keep my waste at a minimum, (which has some hoarding tendencies), but I do try to use every last piece of material. For example:

When out food shopping, I try to find items that come in glass jars over tins, boxes or plastic packaging. Because I buy things in bulk, I’m always needing jars to put loose nuts, seeds, flour, cereal... anything and everything in! Buying items in glass containers ensures two things, the first being that I’m not buying storage containers, and the second being that I’m giving something already existing a second life.

When I have things delivered to my home I keep the cardboard boxes. This way if I need to send someone a package, or wrap a present, I usually always have a box to use. I don’t need to buy a new one. I also save wrapping paper and gift bags to reuse. If I can save it, I will.

I still have a 1L bottle of shampoo that has been going strong for almost a year now and when it’s empty I’ll keep the container and use it again at a zero waste shop here in Paris which sells bulk shower gel, shampoo, laundry detergent, washing up liquid... you name it, they have it. Have a look if there’s a zero waste shop like this in your area and use your bottles time and time again. If plastic is good at one thing, it’s good at not breaking down. By keeping it, you’re ensuring it doesn’t sit on a landfill for eternity, and ensuring that you have a sturdy container for liquids for years to come!

The idea behind a circular economy means everything can be used, reused and repurposed time and time again. Nothing is thrown out or discarded, but passed on to be given a new form of life. If you have things you no longer want or need, don’t discard them. Offer them to friends and family or charity shops. Attend swaps, flea markets, host a wardrobe clear out with your pals... anything is better than the bin. There are so many good swap apps out there (OLIO is one of my faves and works well in the UK, if anyone has an alternative that is good for France, please let me know.)

As always, all sources and brands mentioned are linked above. I’d love to know your thoughts on a circular economy. Do you think it’s possible? Do you think something like this could be implemented on a global scale soon? I think there’s a lot of work still to be done, but hopefully we can, one day, live in a world where everything produced is made to last, and can be easily given a new life if needed.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

Dear Billionaires,

Our taxes are not for you. Across the globe, governments implement taxes in order to uphold our society and provide vital services for the people they represent. Since we’ve seen a shift towards capitalism, we’ve seen funds taken from the most important sectors, such as Healthcare, social care, education, and climate change.

Despite all the tax cuts for the rich, and the fact that, ‘The world’s richest 1%, those with more than $1 million, own 44% of the world’s wealth,’ (Global Inequality) we’ve seen CEO’s and companies come forward to ask for bailouts during the COVID-19 crisis, and, unfortunately, we’ve seen some countries follow through with those bailouts.

But now more than ever we need to see real system change, and withdraw our support for those companies that continue to exploit people, and horde wealth. We need to see a real trickle down system, in which wealth is fairly shared among all people. Where it is impossible for one person to be worth 4.2 billion dollars, whilst the poverty line is ever rising.

Some countries have moved against this. Denmark has increased spending to aid businesses suffering due to COVID-19, but it will not allocate funds to companies with offshore tax havens. France too, have followed this example stating that, ‘If a company has its tax headquarters or subsidiaries in a tax haven, I want to say with great force, it will not be able to benefit from state financial aid,’ (Article sourced from Business Insider, quote from Bruno Le Maire.’

George Turner writes in The Guardian: ‘If one industry should be put out of business in this crisis it is the tax avoidance industry. After all, if those who stand to benefit from this crisis – either through government support or by increased market share – cannot contribute to the recovery, then who will?’ And I agree with his statement. No more support to those who avoid tax. No more ‘business as usual.’ No more billionaire bailouts.

Billionaires have horded and hidden enough wealth overseas. They have stolen money from their workers and then paint themselves as saints and philanthropists when they donate a small percentage of their wealth to charities, when they should just be paying their fair share. They do not deserve access to government funds. When the financial crash of 2008 occurred, people in power had two choices, either to dismantle the capitalist regime and use the time to build a new economy, putting their people at the forefront, or bail out the bankers. We all know what choice was made then. Let’s hope a different choice is made now.

That choice is a green new deal, which puts people and planet over profit. Which dismantles systems of oppression and exploitation. Which stops colonisation and the murder of indigenous communities. Which allows Eco-systems the time to re-build. Which moves from a linear economy, to a circular one. Which drives support behind renewable energy sources (and that’s solar, wind and water, not nuclear.) Which brings people together, instead of pitting us against each other by highlighting our difference in race, religion, culture, class.

Let us come together and create. Speak up and out. Write, read, draw, sing, craft... use any means you can to talk on this topic. Withdraw your support from companies who exploit their workers. Speak to people who are speaking out, speak to people who don’t look like you, listen to what they have to say. Hear me when I say:

Dear Billionaires, we won’t help you.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

Moon(cup) Landing!

I purchased my moon cup earlier this year, back in January (on the 29th to be exact, as I posted about it on my Period post). I felt it would be a good idea to do a follow up after a few months of trying it out. I did a poll on my Instagram and most of you voted for a period related update to be my next blog post so, without further ado, how have I gotten on with my moon cup? Is it comfortable? Can you exercise with it? Have I had (dramatic music) a LEAK?!

I don’t think there is a person out there who has bought a moon cup and been able to instantly, happily co-exist with it. Please don’t let that deter you from trying it though. The first period I used it for must have been some sort of lucky fluke, as for all but one day of my period I could insert it, remove it, clean it, and re-insert it with no problem. (But, luckily for me, I work in a house and so, I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to put my cup when I take it out or how to clean it hygienically, because I’m in a bathroom, not a stall.) The only day of my period I could not insert it during that first week, was day three of my period which is always the heaviest and most painful day of my cycle. I couldn’t stand the feeling of putting it in, it didn’t seem to sit right, and it really ached. I’m not sure if it was just the pain of my cramps, but as soon as I removed it I felt so much relief, and so, I didn’t wear it for that one day of my period in January.

Jump to February and some things had changed. I started to find it hard to insert the cup. It wasn’t painful - it’s just that I didn’t realise it was inserted incorrectly until I’d realised I’d had a leak. Again, I was at home, so I was in a situation where I could quickly nip to the bathroom and sort it out. The leak was caused by the cup not opening up fully after inserting. I wasn’t sure why this had happened this month, as I’d somehow managed to use it correctly in January. After some googling and Youtube watching, I discovered that there are many ways to fold your moon cup - something I hadn’t initially known. I’d always seen in adverts, or on moon cup boxes themselves, to fold the cup in half (so that it looks like a ‘c’) to insert it. Since then I now know a few different ways to fold it including the punch down fold (pushing the cup in on itself on one side which kind of makes it look like a tulip) and my favourite fold, the seven fold (where you push the top of the cup together to make a straight line, and then fold one corner down so the line looks like a, ‘7.’)

Another mistake I realised I was making, was that I was trying to insert the cup too high. Prior to reusable options my go to period product was the tampon. Tampons sit up high in your vagina, whereas when I tried to insert the moon cup to that same height it would collapse in on itself or not open up. The way to tell if it has opened or not is to run your finger around the cup after inserting. If you can feel a dent at any point then you have to take that sucker out and try again! Now when I insert the cup I use the tail of it to pull it down until it sits low in my vagina. This way it’s easier to check if it has opened properly, and for me, allows it to open up easier. After running my finger around the outside I give the tail of the cup another tug to see if I can feel a kind of suction like feeling. If yes, I know that it is in place and doing it’s job. If I can feel it hasn’t opened up, it’s also easier for me to wiggle it around to get it to pop open, or remove and reinsert it, since it’s sitting low. Also, if it doesn’t have that suction feeling when you tug it it will likely just pop straight out as there’s no pressure holding it in (I’m not sure if pressure is the right word to use there, but hopefully you catch my drift!)

Another thing to mention, don’t feel worried if you can feel your cup. We’re so used to putting tampons in and not feeling them (which, now I think about it I hate because, jheeze no wonder they’re so easy to forget about all the way up there!) A moon cup is bigger than a tampon, but that doesn’t mean it’s painful or uncomfortable to wear, it just takes a bit of time to get used to. I like that if I give a little squeeze, I can feel it, I remember it’s there. There’s no way I would sit there and think, ‘Is my moon cup in? Do I need to change it? Have I been wearing it for four days?!’ whereas tampons... I think everyone has had that fear that maybe it’s been there for longer than it should. I used to get so scared I’d leave it in for too long that I would set timers on my phone so I knew when to change it. Whereas my cup, I don’t have that issue.

In March I still couldn’t wear my cup for the entire period because of that tricky day three, but this month I felt more prepared and, having used my cup for three periods prior, I felt this time my body accepted the feeling of it more. Day three came and, after a slightly tricky insertion in the morning, it managed fine for the rest of the day.

Now, let’s talk about sports and moon cups. I had been fine with any low intensity activity whilst on my period and using my moon cup. Walking, cycling and yoga were all perfectly manageable and did not cause any leakages. I’d read a lot online about people saying that doing sport caused them to have period related accidents. I can’t relate to this, as it didn’t happen to me during any low intensity sport. This month, however, I braved something a bit more high intensity - running. And, lo and behold, the same thing! No spills, no leaks, no nothing. Now, it was the evening of day two of my period, and by the end of my run I did have some cramping pain similar to what I experience on day three of my period. I had to go to the bathroom straight away to remove the cup just to give my vagina some relief from the aching. Luckily it was the evening, and by that time of night I switch over to my reusable pad to sleep in anyway, but it did make me wonder, was it the moon cup that caused the aching pain, or just a badly timed cramp? I’ll try another run with my moon cup soon to see if the same thing happens and keep you posted!

Well, that’s everything for my moon cup update for now! I think I’ll check in in another few months just to let you know how our relationship as moon cup user and moon cup develops. It definitely takes some getting used to (and is probably a good thing to consider switching to now while we’re all in lock down so that you have the space and privacy to work out any bumps along the road if you are lucky enough to be working from home!) If you’re a first time moon cupper (definitely not a term, but oh well) the main thing I would recommend doing is inserting the moon cup for the first few times whilst you’re in the shower. Oh, and make sure you follow the instructions before you use it, i.e boiling it in water for half an hour before first use, and then for five to ten minutes between each period. Here’s a handy Q&A page on moon cup cleanliness.

If you have any specific moon cup questions, give me a shout! For now I’ll leave you with a few videos from the Youtube channel Put A Cup In It (what a great name) if you’re starting out, or need a little help, on your moon cup journey.

Four Tips for Perfecting the Fit of your Moon Cup

Menstrual Cup Removal Tips for In Between

Nine Great Menstrual Cup Folds

Wishing you a happy period!

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

Say Goodbye to Fast Fashion.

For some of us it’s easier said than done. We’ve grown up online, where anything and everything is available to purchase and have delivered to your door within moments. But, it’s time for us to consider just how fair fashion is (short answer, it’s often not). For those constantly shopping for deals, for those trawling websites like wish, shein, boohoo and pretty little thing, for those making the rounds in primark, H&M and even TopShop - it’s time to consider what impact your purchase is having on others.

I’m sure you remember this absolutely ICONIC moment from the Lizzie McGuire movie, in which Lizzie is shamed by Kate for wearing an outfit she has already worn, thus being the worst of all people: ‘An Outfit Repeater.’ I too once had this fear, feeling like I could not be seen in the same thing twice. With the birth of social media, outfit repeating became even more shameful. You could no longer repeat an outfit for different groups of friends if you had already uploaded a picture in it online. The horror!

Fashion had to adapt to this culture of buying an outfit purely for one event. Starting with weddings, but then seeping into less prestigious life events, 16th birthday’s, proms, random nights out where you attempt to impress a bunch of drunk people you don’t know and will ultimately end with you being sick on the floor. I’ve been there. I feel you. Fashion followed the trend, giving you a one off, single use outfit for every occasion at low low prices.

Cheap labour combined with cheap materials often brings us items that wear down or break easily. Forever on the hunt for bargains, we often fail to see the repercussions of our actions. We are driven by the need to have the newest trends at the most affordable prices. Factory workers and delivery drivers are often on zero hour contracts and given little to no support (see my blog post on why I don’t support Amazon here). Garment makers across the globe earn little and work in poor, unsafe conditions. Once again, Corona virus is highlighting the main issues that come up time and time again across industries, especially the fast fashion industry.

On March 31st, ASOS’ warehouse in Barnsley was open. That warehouse sees up to 4,000 employees. They do not have any protective equipment, they’re dealing with an unclean workplace, they have to be in close proximity with other workers. It’s not like it’s beneficial for a worker to take time off either, as statutory sick pay in the UK stands at £95.85 a week. JD Sports is also still open, with workers there saying their lives are being ‘put at risk.’

Over on Instagram, XR Boycott Fashion have uploaded information on just how much money brands are withholding from garment workers. They write:

“A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Bangladesh, with the fate of 4.1 million garment workers in the hands of western fashion brands, who have reportedly cancelled over $2.8 billion in orders as the COVID19 crisis escalates.” The True Cost Of Brands Not Paying For Orders During The COVID-19 Crisis by Brookes Robert-Islam, Forbes, March 2020.

The production on these garments is completed. The orders fulfilled. These workers should not now have to suffer by waiting for what they are owed. I realise how lucky and fortunate I and many of my friends are - to be in positions where we are working from home, where maybe we have been furloughed, or completely unable to do our job but we are still getting paid for it. I fall into that last category, as I work as an English teacher / childminder here in France. I can’t do that job right now but I am still getting paid (my full wage) because, luckily, France seems to have a good social security system. In the UK a furloughed wage sits at around 80% of what you normally earn. Though, if you’re on that £95 a week... that’s rough. That is certainly not enough to live on. But these garment workers, they are getting nothing. Zero. And despite that, there still seems to be confusion over whether they should be working or not, with workers being called into the factories or trying to get there themselves (risking their lives), traveling on packed vehicles. It seems now that the factories are planning to shut, but that still leaves the workers living in uncertainty.

So let’s name and shame those companies who are withholding payment.

(Image from XR Boycott Fashion’s instagram page)

I urge anyone reading this. Now, and after Corona virus, really consider where your clothing comes from. Can you be sure that everyone in the supply chain is protected and supported? Are you certain that people are being paid fairly for their work? I’m sure you recognise this headline from 2019, when Missguided sold a bikini for £1. If something is that cheap, then somewhere along the line, someone is suffering.

Join me by swapping out fast fashion companies. Even if you aren’t someone who buys clothes for one event. Even if you (like me) have pieces in your wardrobe that you’ve had from high street brands for years! Pledge to yourself that you will not support them any longer. I use the app Good On You if I see something I like in a shop to check the ethics of the company. If it scores three out of five or less, I don’t buy it. Mend what you already have. Shop secondhand. Check out depop or other similar swapping apps. Companies like this, like ASOS, like Primark... they are only interested in their profit. They will continue to exploit workers for as long as they can. The only way to put a stop to it is to not fund them and speak up against them.

(And, despite what Kate says - Repeat those outfits!)

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

An End to Inequality.

That’s what we need. Going forward, with any crisis, we need to make sure the measures brought in work for everyone, regardless of status, wealth, race, background and gender. Right now we’re seeing the issues capitalism brings to our communities, and how, during an epidemic, it favours the lives of the 1% over those with close to nothing. Now, here on The Sustainable Swap, we started by talking about small, every day swaps you can bring into your life to better the environment, I still stand by that, but everything needs to be in balance. We also need to be aware of the world today, and try to consider how we can use our voices to call out inequality and the systems in place that only want the 1% to flourish, leaving the rest of us behind.

Now, I’m not here to tell you to, ‘swap in Socialism,’ I know many people who have their issues with the word, but I am going to explain my reasons for why I don’t believe Capitalism can continue to run rampant unchecked. For me, and for most others who have been interested in climate justice for a long time, we realise that we could completely phase out plastic, swap in sustainable items, buy secondhand and fair trade and go vegan, but the systems in place still support fossil fuel companies and bail out the rich. I hope, like me, you’ve seen the headlines of Virgin Airlines asking for a bailout (despite being owned by a billionaire who could, if he really wanted to, bail out his own company) and gotten angry. You’ve likely seen the oil companies in the US also ask to be bailed out, and questioned how the American Government found $1trillion to inject into the stock markets, while they can’t find that money for schools, student debt, healthcare for all...

I’m not denying that bailouts need to happen, but I’m frustrated that they always seem to happen for those large corporations driving the fight against climate change. We need to see people put at the forefront, especially vulnerable people who have faced cuts for so long. I do feel angry, to see time and time again the support go to the groups of people who have more than enough. Celebrities are getting their hands on Corona virus test kits while having no symptoms, while others have to manage with their symptoms at home (or still go to work!) or otherwise put more strain on our already suffering healthcare systems. The New Yorker says, ‘If we’re bailing out corporations, they should bail out the planet,’ because now more than ever, we need to see more go to the people and the world we live in.

I think Corona virus has shown the world what those in the movement for climate justice have been trying to express. That the world isn’t over populated. That no one needs to die in order for the world to ‘restore’ itself, but that people are dying across the globe and others only care when it affects western civilizations. I know people who have said, ‘I remember when we first heard about it in China - we never thought it would come here.’ This is the same problem people have with Climate Change and why they cannot fathom or understand it, because it does not affect them directly. It gets a bit hot in the summer, but we’re loosing species globally, there are wildfires in other countries, mass floods and droughts elsewhere, and so, people turn away from the science, because they have not directly been hit by these disasters yet.

An amazing video online: ‘Corona virus capitalism - and how to beat it,’ further highlights everything I’m trying to cover in this post. If you’re a worker, self employed, living in poverty, on a zero-hour contract, Corona virus poses a huge risk on your well being. I have friends who have already been fired from jobs, because the companies don’t want to pay them during this crisis.

(Illustration: Perry Tse)

Even now in the UK, the government has passed a Corona virus bill, which would allow them to detain anyone ‘potentially infectious’ for 48 hours and take biological samples with force. You might be thinking, ‘Well - they might be carrying Corona virus!’ They also might not be. They want to increase surveillance, allowing them to access personal information, data, hacking into computers and phones. They want to have the right to ban events, including protests and strikes. Again, you might be thinking that sounds fine, but they’re planning on having this bill in place for 2.5 years. So, once Corona virus passes - the government could still use this bill to stop people mobilizing against them. Finally, they want to limit the care that NHS, schools and more provide. This will reduce the standard of care and safety for those who are the most vulnerable. It’s maddening and dangerous. It will put the vulnerable at risk. Guess who it won’t affect? The 1%.

Please keep talking, even if it annoys people. I’m certain my friends are tired of hearing me post shit on my social media stories. I know there are people out there who think our governments are doing a good job. I will not be blind-sighted by the tiny pieces of information they do give out, whilst hiding the bigger picture. The UK Government’s original plan was ‘herd immunity,’ which could be seen as eugenics. Don’t forget that now that they’ve suddenly changed their tune (even though they’re still not offering a clear plan of support for all the businesses that will close, the workers, those who are self-employed, and those suddenly trying to live on a measly £94 a week.) It’s just not good enough.

For Corona virus, for climate change, we need to see an end to capitalism. We need to see an end to inequality. We need a world where all people have an equal right to live and have access to sick pay, healthcare, shelter, food, water, and safety. Please let this mobilize you. We need to come together now more than ever. This needs to be a ‘historic trigger’ to lead us to a better future.

Until next time,

The Sustainable Swap.

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