Welcome to our Jan/Feb '08 bulletin - wishing you a cleaner, greener new year. We'll be working hard this year on lots of projects including boosting London's health and well-being through better food and continuing to help London's restaurants profit by going green. We'll also be focusing on enviro-justice - making sure that all Londoners have access to 'eco-goods' such as clean air, green spaces, safer streets and energy efficient housing.
Samantha Heath
Director, London Sustainability Exchange

South Asians are clued up on climate change
South Asians in London have a better understanding of climate change than this time last year and are keen to learn more about what they can do to help tackle it. These are some of the findings from our climate change campaign which used a magician and South Asian ambassadors to engage communities. 90% of respondents said they now understand more about climate change and 87% agreed that they could personally make a difference.  For more details contact Jane Mulholland on 020 7234 9403 / j.mulholland@lsx.org.uk.

Design your business greener
Small textile company Pieces of You has reaped the benefits of going greener by through its no-waste policy. It is just one of the inspirational real life success stories in our new online guide to helping creative businesses green their operations and boost profits. This new user-friendly resource signposts smarter ways to buy and sell as well as how to cut waste and energy costs. Keep an eye on the Eco Design Network website for news or contact Afsheen Rashid on 020 234 9407 / a.rashid@lsx.org.uk.

London boroughs given health warning
Three London boroughs are likely to become the most unhealthy places in Britain. New research shows that the health of residents in Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Hackney is likely to suffer the most long term. The findings are based on high levels of smoking, obesity and poor diet found in these areas, especially amongst young people. Richmond, Redbridge and Twickenham are cited as the healthiest places to live in the future. More

Upcoming events in London
Pan London Environmental Justice meeting 4pm, 15th January 2008 - if you are involved in enviro-justice work, please contact Jerome Veriter for more details: j.veriter@lsx.org.uk
Chinese New Year - celebrate the year of the rat and don't miss our fabulous climate change stall in Leicester Square; 10th February 2008
Eco-Design Network (EDN) event - boost your creative business by going green - Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey, London SE1 3XF; 6.30-9pm, 13th February 2008; More details:j.veriter@lsx.org.uk
Coaching for Community Change - how to effect change in deprived communities; run by the new economics foundation at 3 Jonathan Street, London, SE11 5NH;  16th, 17th, 18th January, 20th, 21st February 2008; Contact Karen.Lyon@neweconomics.org.
2008 Capital Clean-up campaign;  10th March and the 18th June 2008; Contact oliver.jones@encams.org.
Governing Change - what to do and how to do it - how the private, public and 'third sector' can benefit from project management, Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall; 1st April 2008, 
London Sustainability Weeks, 1st-21st June 2008 - don't forget to register your event and enter the Love London community event competition (see below).

Strong backing for 'gas guzzler' charge
Over two thirds of Londoners are in favour of charging high-polluting vehicles to drive in London's congestion zone according to a new poll. The poll also found that more than two thirds believed that charging smoky lorries and vans £25 per day to drive through central London would benefit the capital. The new 'Low Emission Zone' (LEZ) is due to be phased in from February 4th 2008. The research was conducted for the Mayor of London by Ipsos Mori. More

Win £500 for your community event
Love London is holding a competition for six small grants of up to £500 for people who wish to run an event during London Sustainability Weeks (1st-21st June 2008). To enter, send your best idea for an exciting event with a focus on environmental/sustainability issues. Events must involve some community participation. The deadline is 14th March 2008. For more details or how to enter contact: Robert@lovelondon.uk.