Speaker.

Andy Cummins

Surfers Against Sewage Campaigns Officer

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Andy started surfing way back in 1992 in the North East. Back then surfing in the North Sea was similar to surfing in an open sewer. This served as great inspiration and drive to bring about change, but at 15 he never thought he could be an active part of that movement, so the most he did was join Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and tag along to actions and events in his area.

Since then, travelling, experience and education has helped open his eyes to the scale of abuse our oceans and seas suffer at our hands. He has been a full time SAS campaigner since 2003, working on over 50 campaigns.

What I'm talking about:

Surfers Against Sewage: Not just surfers, not just sewage

I will talk you through the evolution of SAS. From a group of surfers from St Agnes in Cornwall wanting to end raw sewage going out at Porthtowan and St Agnes in 1990 they have evolved into "Some of the Governments most sophisticated environmental critics" (BBS News and Current Affairs) and "Britain's coolest environmental pressure group" (The Independent).

SAS now has over 20 live campaigns on 5 major issues. They are still campaigning on Sewage, but their campaign remit has broadened to also include Climate Change, Safe Shipping, No To Toxics, Marine Litter and an education section. SAS is no longer just surfers and no longer just about sewage.

Comments:

Posted by: Dan Turner on 18th September 2008 19:46:28

wonderful. thankyou for the advice.

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My Brainfood

Websites

Surfers Against Sewage: The official surfers against sewage website
Environment Agency: Leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales
Carrot Cake Tour: Imagine what would happen if every visitor to the Glastonbury Festival had to earn their right of passage to see the bands on show
Met Office: Providers of environmental and weather-related services
Free Range Studios: Cause-based viral movie makers

Books

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference: Malcolm GladwellAn explanation of social trends and an exploration of the ‘tipping point’ where ideas, trends and behaviours suddenly ‘catch on’ and spread like wildfireISBN: 0316648523
People Power: In depth guide to local ‘grass-roots’ campaigning: How to Run a Campaign and Make a Difference in Your Community: Jon Robins and Paul StookAll you need to know about local campaigning and how to make a difference to your communityISBN: 1905261594
Pressure Groups, Politics and Democracy in Britain: Wyn GrantPolitical studies on pressure groups, their influence within the UK and EU, their effectiveness and their position within democracyISBN: 0860037150
Rubbish!: (Dirt on our hands and crisis ahead): Richard GirlingAn exploration of rubbish, our attitudes towards it, our methods for dealing with it and the huge short falling in our attitudes toward itISBN: 1903919444
The Stormrider Guide Europe: Bruce SutherlandThe best surf spots Europe wide. Whether you’re a surfer or not this book makes you want to chase the wavesISBN: 0953984052

Organisations

The Marine Conservation Society: The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to caring for our seas, shores and wildlife
Local Surf Club: Blogspot from local people about local surf and skate
The World Health Organization: It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda and setting standards

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