Local Events
Community Climate Action Network Conference
When: Saturday 5 th March
Where: Loudsley Green Community Centre, Cuttholme Road, Chesterfield, S40 4QU
FREE
A full day of information sharing, networking, planning and celebration of achievements. Keynote speakers to include George Marshall or Jamie Clarke from Climate Outreach and Emma Bridge from Community Energy England. Other speakers to be confirmed.
We are looking for local groups to run short case study seminars or workshops based on their experiences in working to address climate change in the broadest sense.
This conference is intended as a space for mutual support and learning between low carbon future groups across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. So do let me know how you would like to be involved and any ideas you have the day.
Please contact Phil Newcombe on phil@mea.org.uk to book a place and discuss workshop contributions. |
Serpentine Community Farm Celebration – All Welcome
When: Sunday 13th Dec, 1-3pm
Where: Buxton, SK17 9AR
FREE
"In celebration of all we have achieved this year, and to say 'Thank You' for all the amazing help from our volunteers, we are having a gathering at the Serpentine with fire, food and friends. We'll be there earlier in the day, if you feel like getting stuck in with any of the ongoing projects. Otherwise, come along, bring a friend, all welcome."
Map: http://www.serpentinecommunityfarm.org/
Find us on Facebook Serpentine Community Farm
Twitter @SerpentineFarm
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Chesterfield Potato Day
Date: Saturday 30th January 2016 btwn. 10.00am and 2.00pm
Location: Unit 23 (empty shop unit), next to Yeomans Outdoor Supplies, in The Pavements Shopping Centre
Organised by: Transition Chesterfield
This year we have available 41 different varieties of seed potato, onion & shallot sets, garlic and 15 varieties of peas/beans to grow during 2016. We also have organic potato fertiliser, JBA growing bags and hessian sacks for storage. Recently we have also included 3 varieties of green manure on the website, a rye, a pea and a mustard, after a very interesting talk by Sally Smith on Organic Growing.
Pre-ordering at discount prices for the Transition Chesterfield Potato Day 2016 finishes on Sunday 6th December 2015. If you have made a pre-order this can be collected from 9.30am.
Also they are looking for volunteers to help out the day before and on the day of the event. Email potatoday@transitionchesterfield.org.uk
http://bit.ly/1laSjq1 |
Introduction to Permaculture Design Course
Date: 27th/28th February 2016
Location: The course is held mainly at Graceworks in Evington.
Organised by: Transition Leicester
Cost: Introductory weekend £80. Full Design Cetificate £400 (concessions, discounts and payment by instalments are available).
After the Introductory weekend the full course continues over weekends throughout the year.
Contact Sam on 07890 587611 / sam@gworks.org.uk
See flyer http://bit.ly/1QWjwta |
Sherwood Forest Country Park: Tree Dressing
Where: Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, Edwinstowe, NG21 9HN
When: Sunday 6 December 11.30am to 1pm
Free
Organised by: Notts County Council
Start to celebrate Christmas with traditional Tree Dressing. Where better to celebrate the wonder of trees than in one of England's most famous forests.
The Tree Dressing also takes place at 2pm to 4pm. The Visitor Centre Christmas lights switch on will take place at 4.15pm.
Telephone: 01623 823 202
http://bit.ly/21ydtim |
Green Woodworking Courses
When: Throughout 2016
Where: Ferrers Centre, Staunton Harold, LE65 1RU
Organised by: Greenwood Days
One day courses and introduction courses would make a great Christmas present for folk. A great place to go, learn and keep alive different traditional craft.
Contact peter@greenwooddays.co.uk - 01332 864529 - 07946 163860
www.greenwooddays.co.uk
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Local News
Transition Belper Candlelit Vigil
Over seventy people braved the cold and windy weather to attend a climate change candlelit vigil on Belper Market Place last Sunday. Organisers from the newly formed Belper 'Inner Transition' Group were delighted with the turnout, which included a visit from Mayor Dan Booth and Deputy Mayor Gary Spendlove. One intrepid supporter cycled all the way from Nottingham in storm conditions to attend the event!
The Inner Transition group aim to focus on spiritual development, wellbeing, building community oneness, pursuing personal growth and strengthening our connection with the earth around us.
Belper Inner Transition on Facebook or contact Clair Michna aries_angel7@hotmail.com |
Divest Derbyshire Alliance Update
Derby Divest was launched last month and has passed the 100 signature mark. They are slowly reaching their target but could do with a boost. Please, if not done so already, do sign, with Paris 2015 now in session it is the time to rally behind their cause.
http://bit.ly/1jAtfHa
Internationally so far 400 institutions and 2,000 individuals worth $2.6tn have divested from oil, coal and gas companies. Only tip of the iceberg. See Thomas Picketty and Tim Jackson article.
http://bit.ly/1PvGjM3 |
Community Energy Share Offer Success!
Harborough Solar One is an innovative scheme to enable the community to directly invest in solar panels on the roofs of Robert Smyth Academy and Archway House. Registered as a Community Benefit Society, investors will see an attractive return on their investment, the organisations hosting the solar panels on their roofs will enjoy cheaper electricity and a community fund will be established to alleviate fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.
The share offer closed on the 9th November and successfully raised the £183,600 to make the installation at these two sites a reality.
Contact Denise Marsdon on 01858 466 207 or email info@harboroughenergy.co.uk
Website: www.harboroughenergy.co.uk |
More time to have say: Nottinghamshire's first shale gas application
The consultation for people to give their views on a planning application for shale gas exploration in north Nottinghamshire has been extended by a further two weeks until 23 rd December.
http://bit.ly/1LRdqTd |
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National
NEWS: London Climate March 2015
What a day! 50,000 people from around the country came together to speak up for what they love and call for action by world leaders. Great pics on flikr.
http://bit.ly/1Tn34A0 |
NEWS: Open Homes help us improve our homes and cut emissions
The UK’s Federation of Open Home Networks believes the homes of the future will necessarily be dramatically improved older homes. Our homes accounted for 22% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2014. To get to the government’s target of 80% less CO2emissions by 2050, making older homes energy efficient will be vital, since 8 out of 10 homes that will be in standing in 2050 have already been built and are old and inefficient.
Federation Director John Doggart puts the number of homeowners who must be inspired to take action at around 1 million, or around 5% of private homeowners. In marketing terms, these homeowners will be the ‘early adopters’ largely responsible for influencing the majority of homeowners to take action.
http://bit.ly/1NJaPSD |
NEWS: Ecotricity launches new approach to transform small wind sector
Britain’s leading green energy supplier, Ecotricity, will launch a groundbreaking new windmill at the European Wind Energy Association conference in Paris this week.
The windmill is designed and manufactured in Britain by Ecotricity’s new subsidiary, Britwind, who already produce Britain’s best-selling small windmill, the Britwind R9000.
http://bit.ly/1RpY7bb |
NEWS: Paris climate talks: grand words, but seeing little action
France's Hollande opened with a strong plea for a fair, just and equitable agreement.
However Engie and EDF (partly owned by French government) still refuse to close their 46 dirty coal plants.
President Obama announced a financial commitment to "clean energy", as part of Bill Gates’ new energy research and development fund. But are these funds actually new money; will the technology be available for vulnerable countries, and will the funds prioritise renewable energy?
David Cameron delivered a speech emphasising the urgency in tackling climate change. But at home his Government is slashing all support for renewables and low-carbon policies.
http://bit.ly/21xDUoh |
NEWS: Climate talks: 4C rise will have dire effect on world hunger, UN warns
El Niños, climate change and increasing conflict linked to prolonged droughts and extreme weather are leaving the world unable to cope with the food needs of millions of people, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.
If temperatures rise by only 2 oC, then millions more people would be affected across Central America, Africa and Asia. If temperatures were to rise between 4 oC and 5 oC, (a business as usual scenario) a semi-permanent food disaster in many parts of the world is likely.
http://bit.ly/1LQJFSn |
NEWS: Public unaware of real cost of solar subsidies
A new YouGov poll commissioned by the Solar Trade Association has found subsidies for solar power are 22 times lower than people think.
http://bit.ly/1XCppzZ |
NEWS: UK's fossil fuel subsidies - £26 billion a year - dwarf renewables support.
Since the General Election, UK energy policy has been largely geared to protecting 'hard working families' from the cost of energy subsidies. Unfortunately, however, action to protect consumers has only been in relation to incentives for the expansion of renewable energy. When it comes to fossil fuels, a very different analysis prevails. Just how different was recently revealed in a survey published by the International Monetary Fund entitled 'How Large Are Global Energy Subsidies?'
http://bit.ly/1lZoFUB |
NEWS: Chancellor announces cuts to energy efficiency despite highest excess winter mortality for 15 years
Energy efficiency can reduce energy bills and keep vulnerable people out of hospital. Instead of adequately investing in upgrading Britain’s coldest homes, the Chancellor has announced there will be deep cuts to ECO, the only GB-wide energy efficiency programme from 2017. This is despite the ONS publishing the highest number of excess winter deaths across England and Wales for 15 years. (Peter Smith, Head of Policy at National Energy Action)
http://bit.ly/1PAjQOc |
RESOURCE: Paris climate talks and the UK
The Paris climate talks, from November 30 – December 11 2015, are a moment for the world to come together to address the biggest threat to humanity and to decide a collective response in the interests of people and the planet.
See a range of briefings @ http://bit.ly/1lZdVWw |
RESOURCE: A Transitioner's Guide to COP21 in Paris.
COP21 is the international climate negotiations which, it is hoped, will produce a global binding agreement on carbon emissions. It's a moment in history, and many Transitioners are feeling drawn to being there. Sadly, following the recent violence in Paris, there is some uncertainty around a few of the planned events.
Please treat this guide as a living document - we will add new information as we get it and recommend that you check back here regularly.
http://bit.ly/1Ns8wl8 |
RESOURCE: Back Climate Action
New DECC website full of stories about UK business taking action on energy and climate. Sustainability is becoming a mainstream business opportunity!
http://bit.ly/1PYLgMb |
FUNDING: Tesco Local Community Scheme – Grants up to £12,500 per project
The closing date for this scheme has been extended until 12 noon 11th December. In addition there will be further rounds next year.
The programme is open to voluntary/community organisations, Parish/Town councils, local authorities and housing organisations. It will fund capital projects that provide community benefit and have free and open access to all members of the community for a minimum of six days a week, during daylight hours. This includes parks, play areas and open access sports facilities within public parks and recreation grounds. They will also support informal outdoor recreation facilities e.g. gym equipment and trim trails.
http://bit.ly/1lyFPbc |
PETITION: Fracking: Don't silence Lancashire
Earlier this year, Lancashire council said a resounding NO to the fracking industry. But now, in a move that makes a mockery out of local democracy, Westminster politicians have announced they will 'call in' the council's decision. The final say now lies with one man, Greg Clark. As the minister who oversees our councils, the decision will land on his desk.
Sign the petition to Greg Clark MP, the minister in charge of local government
http://bit.ly/1kXWbKN |
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