low.communitycarbon.net

Earlier this month the Guardian reported on a new website and report published by the New Economics Foundation entitled One Hundred Months. There’s been a lot of debate about the report and the concept which implies a deadline to carbon reduction efforts, whatever your thoughts on that, you have to admit the cool countdown calculator on the website certainly reminds us that time is ticking away.  Mark Lynas wrote about the report here and You can read it for yourself here

Following the Economist debate on the global energy crisis this week, I thought maybe it was time to remind ourselves that time is passing and that while the economists and government debate the issue we can all still play our part by reducing our own emissions. As  Joseph Romm stated recently, one solution might be a series of what  he calls “stabilisation wedges” which include energy efficiency.  We must all collaborate to ensure we get robust climate change legislation and this will mean working in partnership with governments, business and each other.

I am still convinced that with a real commitment to renewable technologies and a rapid change in corporate business practice we can make a difference.  An article in a recent issue of the American Journal “Strategy and Business”  stated that “No-one knows how an 80% reduction in global carbon emissions can be achieved in two decades, but it certainly won’t happen through minor adjustments in business as usual”.

Energy efficiency still has a key part to play, and while debates about new and innovative technologies grab the headlines we shouldn’t forget that while we wait for carbon capture and storage, sequestration or any number of other technological breakthroughs which promise us an answer to climate change; smart energy use, conservation and reduction are simple steps that everyone can take right now. So, go sign up to 100 months for regular reminders of actions we can take in our own lives, or for a more humorous, but equally serious approach to the issue of energy reduction check out Do the Green Thing.  Just because this is a serious issue, doesn’t mean we can’t inject a bit of humour into our  communications - any successful low carbon community group will tell you - having fun is one of the easiest ways to get your message across to a new audience.

*”The Next Industrial Imperative” by Peter Senge, Bryan Smith and Nina Kruschwitz”. Issue 51 Business Strategy Summer 2008.

Zero Carbon Britain

I’m really pleased to be able to confirm Adam Thorogood from the Centre for Alternative Technology will be joining us at the Low Carbon Communities Conference on 4th October 2008 to discuss the Zero Carbon Britain Report. The report details how Britain can eliminate emissions from fossil fuels in 20 years and break our dependence on imported energy. It demonstrates how we can achieve this by halving energy demand and installing massive renewable energy generation.

You can read the latest on the report here

Last year my village endured it’s 15 minutes of fame with good grace following the Parish Council’s plan to make us the first carbon neutral village in England. We’re still a long way off that goal - air travel and gas consumption apparently rose this year so the carbon reduction message isn’t reaching everyone - yet! This short film was commissioned by the Live Earth production team and shot by Inigo Gilmore and Teresa Smith, I think their love of humanity and sense of fun shines through in this record of life in a small English Village. Click on the picture of Rev. Brian Perkes Vicar of our Parish to watch the film on youtube.

Tags: community

Click on the picture below to go and see a brilliant short film about Stretton Climate Care in Shropshire.  Made by a local student, Kim Trow the film eloquently sums up a community response to climate change and the growing desire among ordinary people to see robust legislation is response to the threat of climate change.

Click on the photo to view the film on youtube

Those of you who have been following  my posts over on  my Low Carbon Diary will know that the world of the web is a new skill to me - but I’m trying my best. Recently I decided to set up a pageflakes pagecast to capture all my favourite bolgs and websites. It’s an easy way to keep all my subscriptions to various sites neatly together. Anyone can do it in just a few minutes. You can check out  the ones I’ve created on Peak Oil and Climate Change or go and set up your own.

The guys here at Ruralnet have been really keen to see community groups embrace web tools to inform and collaborate, but special credit has to go to Dave Briggs who first introduced me to the strange world of the pageflake and encouraged me to have a go.

Dave Briggs running a workshop

Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. I am really please that documentary film graduate Leila Todhunter has agreed to come along to Llangollen and make a short film recording the events at this year’s conference. over the next few weeks I’ll be posting some great short films about community responses to climate change, so if your community has made a film and would like to share it here let me know, and if you have a story you would like to tell Leila at the conference get in touch and we’ll make time to interview you there.

Many thanks to one of this years delegates who sent me these  links for local transport information. To find out about buses and trains serving Ruabon (or for Chirk  click here.

Ruabon to Llangollen
Through tickets for Llangollen — ask for Llangollen Bus when booking your rail ticket. X94 service and 2C stop at the station. For a more frequent service buses for Llangollen stop regularly at the bus stops on the main road.
For bus information Tel 01978 266166.

If you have any tips for delegates travelling to Llangollen, or would like to offer lift share please leave a comment here.

We are so thrilled - fab band “Seize the Day” have agreed to support the Low Carbon Communities Conference by playing a gig at our post conference party on 4th October 2008 at llangollen Town Hall. I’ve seen them live before and they are fab!

Check out their myspace page or download songs direct from their website. We guarantee you a great night’s entertainment - and our post conference party is free to conference participants! So, if you haven’t booked yet, click here to book online via survey monkey.

seize the day

Tags: Conference, llangollen

For all transport and accommodation enquiries please call the Llangollen Tourist Information Office  on  01978 860828. The staff there are very helpful and have already advised lots of our delegates on transport and accomodation.

Or check out www.Llangollen.org

Nearest train stops are Ruabon and Chirk, both of which are within cycling ditance of Llangollen.

Nation Express and local bus services also serve Llangollen.

We have just processed our 100th booking for the 4th October conference in Llangollen. You can read a copy of the draft programme here

Confirmed speakers include

Rachel Nunn, speaking about the Going Carbon Neutral Stirling Project,

Mark Lynas, Author of “Six Degrees, Our Future on a Hotter Planet”

Ian Roderick, speaking about the Converging World (one of our main conference sponsors)

George Marshall, Director of projects at Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN)

Kevin Carey, Llanidloes Energy Solutions (LLES)

Penney Poyzer (Broadcaster and journalist) will speak about the eco renovation of her home

Jacqi Hodgson from Transition Towns Network will talk about energy descent planning

Ben Brangwyn from Transition Towns and Tracey Todhunter from Low Carbon Communities Network will present on new web based support tools for communities

In addition there will be representatives of inspiring community projects from Wales telling the story of how they have managed to engage their communities and win support of the Welsh Assembly Government

There’s lots more happening too. Check back soon or contact us for more details.

Tags: communities, Conference, LCCN, people, speaker