Well, I’m back from London. Hope you’ve all been doing well. I’ve been trying to catch up with things since I got back yesterday but there has been lots of stuff playing on my thoughts since going into London, so I’m going to talk about them and then get back into the real swinging blog after that. If you didn’t already know, then myself and a few others went to see Jack Johnson. It was supposed to be more of a relaxing break and indeed it was, but whilst putting on a good show, they also gave you lots to think about.

All At Once is an organisation conceived and started by Jack Johnson himself to address the issues of the climate, environment and government involvement in the welfare of the planet. Very lofty stuff and although all that stuff can all sound very contrived, speaking with the various volunteers walking around Hyde Park (who don’t necessarily help to dispel those feelings first off) you eventually get a sense that they are at least trying to do something a little different.

Most people would have been given a Village Green Passport and we’re all encouraged to go up and check out the stalls up there. As you flicked through the passport, you were encouraged to complete at least 3/9 pledges on the back and make your commitments, and as a reward, you’d be entered into a raffle draw. The problem with that is that a lot of people that I saw go to the Green were only going to get a stamp and not because they were really interested in speaking to the selection of non-profits that were there for an important reason.

Still, there were also the ‘good people’ there and for those who were interested, there were some great charities there. I know I’ve talked about this before but 1% were there, and I had a good chat about where I could eventually take Hand & Face if I decided to make it a proper business one day. Most people got a sticker and a stamp, but I must have been at least talking a much more substantial game because I got a nice 1% For the Planet USB stick. The Surfrider Foundation were also on one of the stalls, and alerted us to a petition against the European proposal to close beaches deemed ‘dirty’ from 2015 onwards. The proposal means that any beaches not deemed clean enough for public inhabitants from 2015 onwards will no longer be cleaned; just simply closed. For more information on this, you can visit allatonce.org.

Surfer’s Against Sewage were also there, and are an organisation very close to my heart. Although I’m not directly involved, I have actively bought merch from them in order to donate something.

I guess the point of this post is to just point out some of these links. And also, even if it took the selfish act of going to a gig to make me realise, I should be trying to help out these organisations that I feel very strongly for. Whatever you may think of Jack Johnson, like him or not, he has done something incredible with AllAtOnce.org and I am happy I can put these links up here today.

As I said, Hand & Face will resume normal service very shortly, but in the meantime, if you want to make a commitment, sign up to All At Once or you can sign the Surfrider ‘Rise Above Plastics’ petition here.

Thom, Hand & Face