WHAT’S ON – SEPTEMBER 2024

Stop Killing Our Rivers
“Industrial chicken farming might be the most ethically bankrupt and environmentally destructive business in Britain today”, says Rob Percival, Head of Food Policy at the Soil Association. He explains that aside from the obvious animal welfare issues, there are profound environmental concerns. The chicken feed is often sourced from ecologically sensitive areas and is implicated in deforestation and wildlife destruction.

Closer to home, the manure from the chicken sheds, which is very high in a nutrient called phosphate, is applied to nearby fields as a fertiliser and runs into surrounding rivers when it rains. This causes rapid algae growth that blocks sunlight and reduces oxygen in the water, essentially choking out aquatic life. You can sign The Soil Association’s petition calling on UK Governments to implement a ban on new intensive poultry units.

Organic September
“The organic movement is built on the principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. These principles guide everything that organic stands for today”, says the Soil Association. Organic September is the association’s annual celebration of organic producers who work with nature, not against it. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the role farming plays in the climate crisis, particularly the extent to which emissions from fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers are contributing to the climate emergency.

Seed Gathering Season (September 22 – October 22)
“Going out to gather seeds, fruits and nuts ahead of the winter tree planting season is a great way to help us all grow a greener, tree-filled future”, says The Tree Council. Its annual Seed Gathering Season begins on the autumn equinox and is the perfect way to mark the changing season. The Tree Council website has plenty of information, including a downloadable seed ID guide.

> Grow the Trees of the Future: Top seed gathering tips from The Tree Council

Second Hand September 
“Consumers are buying more clothes and wearing them for less time than ever before, discarding garments as fast as trends shift”, says the UN. Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign encourages a more circular approach, inspiring people to donate and shop in a way that’s kinder to the planet.

Great British Beach Clean (September 20-29)
Join thousands of volunteers participating in UK beach cleans and litter surveys as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s annual citizen science project.

New books

Wild Creature Mind: The neuroscience breakthrough that helps you transform anxiety and live a fiercely loving life by Steve Biddulph
“The animal part of your mind is the key to good mental health because it is the ‘real you.’ Not the tangle of thinking, worry and ego that you think is you”, writes psychologist Steve Biddulph in his latest book, Wild Creature Mind.

He draws on the latest thinking in neuroscience to unlock our right hemisphere (our Wild Creature Mind), which he describes as a GPS that can guide you towards being truer to yourself. Published by Bluebird on September 12 (£16.99).

Self-Care for Winter: Comforting rituals to spark winter joy by Suzy Reading
Suzy Reading, one of the UK’s leading experts in self-care and the art of building healthy restorative habits, offers a framework for thriving in the winter months, incorporating a toolkit to maximise winter joy.

Don’t miss the section on the comforting powers of touch, which includes beautifully simple and restorative practices such as placing your hands on your heart, closing your eyes and enjoying the warmth of your hands on your heart centre. Featuring wintry illustrations by Rosanna Tasker. Published by Aster on September 26 (£16.99).

• Lead picture credit: David J. Boozer on Unsplash