Assessing the year’s progress

This week, IoM Friends of the Earth’s secretary Cat Turner looks forward to IoMFoE’s forthcoming annual general meeting

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The Isle of Man Friends of the Earth (IoMFoE) will be holding its annual general meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).

This will provide an opportunity for members to vote on various issues, and to hear about what IoMFoE has been up to in the past year.

And there’s a lot to catch up with – in the past 12 months, the organisation has run a number of successful events, bringing speakers to the island, including the UK’s Craig Bennett, Ireland’s Philip Allen and the Isle of Wight’s David Green.

We’ve also held many special interest days at the Green Centre, on subjects as diverse as composting, electric cycles, genetic modification of foods and recycling.

In addition, members have campaigned on issues from energy to transport, bees to biodiversity, and increased its outreach into schools, cub and scout meetings, and many other forums.

It’s been a lot of fun, and netted some terrific new members into the bargain – that’s the best news of all.

On top of this, there’s been a whole lot of lower-profile, but equally important behind-the-scenes activity.

Among other things, we’ve contributed to the island’s Biodiversity Strategy, its draft Sustainability and Climate Change Bill, and DEFA’s Biosphere Vannin plans – to name but a few.

And, of course, there’s EcoVannin, the joint initiative which was inspired by David Green and which involves IoMFoE, the Manx Energy Advice Centre, Zero Waste Mann and, from government, the Department of Economic Development, Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Manx Utilities Authority has absorbed much time and effort.

It is now, we hope, edging towards launch!

We’re currently seeking sponsors from the business community to help us get this off the ground, so expect to hear more from us on this soon.

We’ll also be saying a big ‘thank you’ to our terrific co-ordinator, Phil Corlett, who is, sadly for us, stepping down after carrying out the role for seven years – a long time doing a lot of work on an entirely voluntary basis.

A keen diver and passionate advocate for the island’s natural environment, Phil has worked tirelessly in what sometimes can seem a rather thankless role. In doing so, he has led IoMFoE to achieve many successes, great and small. He’s been an inspiration to many of us, especially me, and we hope he’ll stay involved for many years to come. We’re glad to know you, Phil!

The meeting is at 7.30pm, at the Green Centre – just opposite the entrance to the Iceland supermarket, and all (members or otherwise) are welcome to attend, though of course only members get to vote.