Cutting carbon in ShelthorpeIdeas for projects and events

Andrew Reeves, RCCShelthorpe Community Association EGM, Tuesday 20th July 2010

Communities Cutting Carbon

• Two year project, started in March 2010• Supported by DMU and local councils

• Supporting community groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to act on climate change• dedicated support for 10 communities,

including Shelthorpe

• Help with • ideas for projects and events• funding (grants of up to £5000)• training on green issues/solutions

• My background• academic research• grassroots action

Meeting aims

• Discuss ideas for community projects and events• Info on ideas from elsewhere in the UK

• Select most popular idea(s)• Meeting community’s needs• Viable (volunteer time, funding, etc)• Complements existing activity

• Decide upon next steps• Future activities• Next meeting?

Background• 21st century challenges

• Fossil fuels getting scarcer and more expensive• Changing global climate• Economic downturn

• Responses• Meeting needs using local resources

• local food, local renewable energy...• Developing new skills

• growing food, insulating homes...• Planning for a positive low-carbon future

•Benefits of a low-carbon community• Brings community together• Healthier lifestyles• Reduced fuel bills

Ideas: Local food• Growing

• Tree planting (e.g. community orchards, “Fruity Corners”), community herb gardens, new allotments, gardening training courses

• Composting• Advice and training, cheap containers• Collect and use on community garden?

• Sharing and celebrating• “Big Lunch” day

Ideas: Energy• Energy efficiency fairs

• Information and advice• “Big switch Off” day in October?

• Energy audits for community buildings• RCC and Energy Saving Trust can help• Install renewable energy?

• Run a local “Green Doctor” scheme• Short home visits with advice, and simple energy efficiency measures installed• Training for energy champions?

• Renewable energy• Support to install solar panels?

Ideas: Green skills• Training events for young people,

• Visit to Stevenson College• Renewable energy taster

• Woodland experience and skills• e.g. http://www.wildthings.org.uk

• Crafts exhibition in Circle of Life garden• gardening skills (grow your own food, organic methods, garden design...)• clothing (darning socks, knitting, weaving...)• making art (from recycled materials?)

• Local skillshare courses• local people organise programme of workshops to share craft skills

Ideas: Travel

• Events to promote greener transport options •e.g. cycling, public transport

• Campaigning for improved walking/cycle routes • Car pool groups• Walking school buses

Ideas: Carbon challenges• Promote and run Ecoteams

• 5 meetings with friends/neighbours• Learn about environmental impacts• Support with making changes

• Carbon challenges• People in Shelthorpe pledge to reduce their carbon footprint over 6 months

•e.g. one family, one business, one street• each participant monitors and shares results

• Work with local schools• arts project on saving energy•name the project

IdeasFOOD ENERGY SKILLS TRAVEL CARBON

CHALLENGESOTHER

Big Lunch day Energy saving fair

Green skills fair

Walking school bus

Ecoteams Training on green issues

Pocket Orchards

Energy audits Visits/trips for youth

Car sharing group

Carbon Challenges

Herb gardens Green doctor Craft courses Improved routes

Project with schools

Community Composting

Solar panels Community events

CHECKLIST: Meets community’s needs? Viable (volunteer time, funding, etc)? Complements existing activity?

Contact details

Andrew ReevesCommunity Climate Change Officer, RCC

0116 268 9718areeves@ruralcc.org.uk

http://www.ruralcc.org.uk/climate-change.html