The Big Rig is a two-day construction event designed to encourage unskilled and unemployed Londoners to make the most of the employment opportunities in the burgeoning low-carbon construction sector – we designed identity and outputs, including event packs and information banners.
Over forty participants are given an array of low-carbon technologies – solar thermal water heaters, PV panels, super-insulation – and an three story scaffolding frame.
Working in teams they have two days to use the components to build a low-carbon all-weather shower facility.
Ration Me Upis a monthly Carbon Ration Book created by The Ministry of Trying to Do Something About It (and designed by thomas.matthews). It was launched at NEF's 'the Bigger Picture Festival of Independence' in October and is on its way to Copenhagen for the Climate summit in December. www.theministryoftryingtodosomethingaboutit.org
There was a time when such a Ministry and such a book needed not to exist – but that day has passed.
Now, at the end of the first decade in the 21st Century we are speeding towards troubled times and uncertain futures. But it is times like these that demand us to come together with a united response so that we can attempt to limit the damage of many wasteful years. If we now try to put right our wrongs, tea can be drunk and life can be enjoyed once again.
In anticipation we have prepared this monthly ration book to teach each us all of the true cost of our day to day necessities and habits. We recommend that you become accustomed to its content and tasks associated with calculating your monthly carbon usage. For it may well be that in the future, if we do stand true to our country’s commitment of reducing our carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, such rationing will be enforced.
The upcoming years may be painful and troublesome but if we use this book as a tool to remind us that action must be taken now, by government, by business, by countries, by all, then we stand a chance of happiness. Use it to evaluate your life, use it to lobby your government, use it as a reminder that doing absolutely nothing is no longer an option.
Stand strong and save.
Yours,
Sophie Thomas
A Minister for the Ministry of Trying to Do Something About It
The Ministry of Trying to Do Something About It are:
Clare Patey – Artist
thomas.matthews – Communication design
Cathy Wren – Installation Designer
Dr Victoria Johnson – Research
Corrina Cordon – Project Manager nef
Jonathan Atkinson – Project development and management
Jenny Hayton – Costume Advisor
Tim Mitchell – Construction
Useful Simple is a trail-blazing endeavour. It operates through pioneering design projects, as innovators in design education, and through real-world activities in sustainability and communication. It offers an alternative to profit focused, socially unaware business models and opens the door to the new and the good.
The Useful Simple Trust is an employee benefit trust. So far it comprises 45 beneficiaries, 7 trustees and 3 companies: thomas.matthews, Expedition Engineering and Think Up.
With an exciting programme of speakers tackling design and sustainability you can't afford to miss this year's LDF sustainability hub free event. One week to go, and places are filling up!
We had fun with the crowd at the V&A Village Fete Jubilee making and showcasing London's most talented sock puppets. Young and old got to grips with their inner Sock Stars.
