if you are looking for my powerpoint on community led carbon reduction projects, I’ve posted it here.

Information on the Low Carbon Communities Network can be obtained by emailing: info[at]lowcarboncommunities.net

What a great day – I’ll be posting ym thoughts on here tomorrow, but well done to the whole LSE team for a truly informative and energising day.

Thankyou!

In 2006 the mood in Ashton Hayes was one of optimism and opportunity, with the newly formed “Going Carbon Neutral Project” residents really felt they could make a significant contribution to community led climate change action.

And, they probably did, but not in the way most resident expected. The story of the Ashton Hayes attempt to become carbon neutral has achieved worldwide coverage, culminating in the then pub landlord, Barry, sharing a couch with Graham Norton at the UK’s Live Earth  tv coverage. But, it’s just that, a story – professionally crafted and distributed. And,there’s no denying that communities and individuals all over the world have been inspired by what they have seen and read.

Many village clubs and societies supported the Going Carbon Neutral Project: The Brownies started a lightbulb library so families could try out a range of energy saving light bulbs in their own homes.

Volunteers from the gardening club helped school children plant trees donated by the Woodland Trust and the Ash-Worth Timebank made sure that newsletters promoting the initiative were delivered to every household in the parish. They also hosted “carbon clinics” at monthly coffee mornings alongside the range of community activities they organise such as walking groups, pilates and Tai Chi.

In my research and conversations with other communities it’s pretty clear that the success of community carbon projects depends on the support of existing community groups and organisations. People who spend time with their neighbours develop trust and mutual concerns, so are more likely to share information and work together on projects, whether its cutting carbon or raising funds for play facilities.

Surprisingly, the Timebank and other voluntary groups rarely feature in media reports about my village these days. They are almost invisible,  their continued and tacit support taken for granted . These groups are the social glue which binds small comunities together, and my village is rightly proud of its close knit, thriving community. The Government’s Rural Advocate, Stuart Burgess, visited Ashton Hayes in 2007 and observed that it wasn’t just a concern for the environment which inspired people who live here to reduce their energy demand, it was a sense of shared experience and a desire to save money too.

Through its community spirit Ashton Hayes has reputedly cut  its energy demand by 20% in 4 years*. Yet, many other communities have been active in this field far longer, and achieved far deeper cuts. Up and down the country solar panels are appearing on the rooves of village halls, water wheels are creaking back into life on our rivers and food is being grown on any available land. These kinds of projects, where the community takes control of its energy and food production – not just the consumption – are increasingly common.

No doubt the community of Ashton Hayes would continue to thrive if the Parish Council abandoned its goal of carbon neutrality, but take away our Timebank, gardening club, ballet classes, football club etc  and the situation would be different. rather than be seen as an “Environmntalist”,  I’d prefer to be known as the person who willingly waters my neighbours plants when she goes on holiday or finds time for a cup of tea with the elderly gentleman who lives across the street. Find the communities where these kinds of things are commonplace and you’ll probable find a low carbon community, certainly one that could make rapid reductions in enery consumption  if it chose to. This growth in low carbon communities is not just about the planet, it’s about the people. When we have respect and tolerance for our neighbours, care for the environment follows naturally.

* “This is based on a sample of 23 households who have provided data from their energy bills” .

Hope to see you at an event soon, or if you want to keep up with my crafty side you can follow my personal tweets as @traceytodhunter

Tracey

The “interweb” is a public space, treat it, and the people you meet there with respect and don’t say or do anything you wouldn’t be happy to hear repeated or attributed to you.

Think of twitter, facebook, myspace etc as a the conversations you mght have with a friend on the bus, would you be comfortable if the person sitting behind you overheard what you said?
I’m happy to share bits of my personality online, but on my terms. You might say twitter is my “public face” where I talk about work, communities and some of the fun stuff I get up to, it’s where I sometimes share my frustrations with the modern world, give a heads up to my followers about forthcoming events or interesting snippets of information. Facebook, however, is my private space. It’s unlikely you’ll be accepted as a “friend” unless we’ve met, my privacy settings are constantly updated and reviewed (I’m sorry, but I don’t want my employers or my daughter’s friends seeing photos of me letting my hair down at parties, so I choose carefully who can see what and when).
Having said all that, social networks have enriched my personal and my professional life, I wouldn’t be without them and I actively encourage friends and family to try online communications and find out what suits them. yes, there will be times when you let your guard down, when you are indiscreet (I know, I’ve been there, done that and learnt the hard way).
And finally, this hoo hah is nothing new, and the last word should go to Ed Mitchell who wrote this some time back.
Ed’s path and mine have crossed several times online, but we’ve only met once – and really that’s a (very innocent) “you had to be there to appreciate it” kind of story, that won’t be revealed here!!!