On Sunday 13th November South Belfast Quaker Meeting held a discussion about how to respond to Ireland Yearly Meeting’s request that allmeetings should commit to being as sustainable as possible through the development of a sustainability plan. Over 30 people attended the 
event where discussion ranged from installing recycling bins in rooms, to installing solar panels. The meeting used the recent document issued by IYM called ‘Responding to IYM 2016 – living sustainably and fairly on this earth’. It can be downloaded from https://quakersireland.
Members explored areas including what ways the meeting house could cut down on it’s use of gas for the planet’s resources for heating and lighting, and whether they should install photovoltaic panels on the roof; how to encourage members to get to the meeting using more sustainable means of transport; encouraging the use of more Fairtrade, organic and locally-sourced food; ideas for developing the garden area for bees; reviewing where the meeting’s and members’ money is located and if there are more ethical alternatives; how to build community, and support the plight of refugees; and ways to speak truth to power in relation to sustainability.
The gathering ended with a pot-luck lunch using the LOAF principles – Locally-sourced, Organic, Animal-friendly, Fairtrade – leek & potato soup, beetroot soup, homemade bread and Irish cheese, homemade apple strudel and apple crumble were served.
