Local environmental action, the report concludes, is an excellent vehicle for promoting 'civic education' as it offers 'a laboratory for social learning', bringing different groups of people together and enabling them to achieve something positive together which is of benefit to the wider community. It's amazing that we've somehow lost the ability to be good neighbours and that we need lessons in how to be active citizens. However, there is room for optimism. Citizenship is now on the curriculum in schools and the popularity of TV programmes such as Charlie's Garden Army demonstrates that people do care about their neighbourhoods and are willing to pull together to make things better. The local environment is a good place to start this revival in community spirit.
Environmental poverty is obvious and corrosive.
Bringing people together to tackle these little things quickly can kick-start real and lasting improvements in the quality of life. It can also help people develop new skills and self-confidence and provide a focus for a whole range of new economic activity. The report will be launched at a reception organised by Groundwork in the Members' Dining Room at the House of Commons on Wednesday 28 June. They will be joined by community members from Belfast, Barnsley and South Wales who will talk about how getting involved in local environmental action has had an impact on their lives and their community.