The latest news and upcoming events from ClimateXchange. Spring is fast turning to summer - and the year is galloping away. Here's your most recent update - enjoy!. Please send any items for the next update by 21st May -events, reviews, funky website...all welcome to info@climatex.org.

Local groups news:

Low Carbon Headington

The launch event for Low Carbon Headington was well attended on 18^th April, with over 100 people. More meetings are planned - contact Jill for further info: matatt.50@virgin.net

Low Carbon Wolvercote

The first anniversary bash of Low Carbon Wolvercote took place on 19^th April, attended by over 120 people - complete with talks, music food and dancing.

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Oxon Ideal Green Home show

Over 350 people packed out the Town Hall for the Oxon Ideal Green Home Show on 17^th April.

See a report of the event, plus list of exhibitors here.

Download version 1 of the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Directory here

If you're itching to find out more, come to the ENERGY CONSERVATION FOR HOMES IN OXFORD (ECHO) TRAINING  on Thursday 19 June 10 am - 1 pm (full details below).

Enterprising climates

The Northern Area Finals of Young Enterprise took place in Banbury on 29^th April. ClimateXchange sponsored a prize (a fab local footprint made form wood and resin by a local artist), which went to Flux of Bloxham school, for their ethically sourced cotton bags and accompanying display about climate change - well done FluX!

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Whilst we're talking enterprise - Got some events coming up? Two opportunities to spread a creative word about climate change and raise money for your group:

1. Re: versing the Damage - notes from the Climate Journey -

this powerful collection of local Climate change poetry, (including a CD) sells for £4. If you'd like a batch to sell to raise funds for your group, we've got 100 copies to give to groups for free (in batches of 10). First come first served  - that's an easy £40 - email your requests to info@climatex.org

  

2. Fundraise for your group and help educate about climate change.

"Funny Weather" is an extremely informative  comic condensed from the book by the brilliant cartoonist Kate Evans. It has received very good reviews - you can see an online version here.
Copies are available from COIN at £10 per 50 copies. As the resale price is 50p per comic, you will be able to make a profit of £15 for every 50 comics ordered. To order your copies, contact COIN. The Old Music Hall, 106 - 8 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1JE, phone 01865 727911 or email : sian@coinet.org.uk

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Operation Noah General Meeting - Invite

Operation Noah, the faith-based climate change campaign, has its General Meeting in Oxford on Saturday, 10 May 12.30 - 4.00 pm, at Ss Mary & John Church on the Cowley Road. There'll be soup (locally grown veg) and fairly-traded refreshments served from 12.00, followed by a viewing of the Channel 4 documentary 'God is Green', speeches on the science and on campaigning from David Wasdell and Ruth Jarman, reports from Ann Pettifor (Director) and Mark Dowd (Campaign Strategist), discussion of priorities for the year ahead and elections to the Board. All welcome!

See http://www.operationnoah.org/

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In the news

Organisations campaigning on climate change need to learn the lessons of the anti-slavery and anti-apartheid movements, says Ann Pettifor of Operation Noah. By focusing on individuals rather than governments, initiatives such as the recent Energy Saving Day are bound to fail in their bid to reduce emissions, she argues. What do you think? See the article, plus a ream of lively discussion here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7385615.stm

 

 

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Artweeks

ECI Researcher Stanislav Shmelev is organising a photographic exhibition
within Oxfordshire Artweeks festival. Everyone is very welcome to come.
Landscapes, cityscapes, environmental and climate change photographs
created in 2002-2008 are going to be exhibited in a friendly venue in North Oxford. Centred around an interplay of colour and light, this exhibition presents a broad palette of the artists immediate emotional responses to a variety of visually stimulating scenes. A special place at the exhibition is going to be devoted to modern jazz.
Full details here:

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PLANET EARTH SEASON: Oxfordshire, September - December 2008

Are you planning an event in Oxfordshire, between September-December this year, connected to climate change, sustainable living, nature or the environment?
 
Oxford Inspires is collecting information to promote Oxfordshire's Planet Earth Season, which will take place from September to December 2008. Oxford Inspires' role will be umbrella marketing and we currently anticipate producing 30,000 copies of the season's brochure, which will be distributed around Oxfordshire in mid-August, followed by a press launch in early September.
 
The season is inspired by UNESCO's Year of Planet Earth and focuses on the impact of climate change on the global community and how we can live more sustainable lives. The season aims to highlight Oxfordshire's status as an international leader in combating climate change and to stimulate creative and artistic responses to the issue.
 
If you are still in the early stages of planning an event, which could fall under the banner of the Planet Earth Season, but are not yet ready to provide a polished 50 words on the subject, then it would be good to just have a couple of lines about it now. The deadline for possible inclusion in the brochure is 16th June 2008.

Full details from Liz Gresham planetearth@oxfordinspires.org / 01865 815 525
 

Two new websites:

 

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/bloom/ - check it out - what do you think?

2. The All new OneWorldTV - Giving you a voice and a place to to say itOn May 6^th a brand new version of OneWorldTV will be launched. For over 7 years OneWorldTV has been the place on the web to see great videos and documentaries from around the world. Brought to you in one place.http://tv.oneworld.net/   ClimateTV is a new section on the open documentary platform where we bring together videos on Climate Change from across the internet. - simply pick the Climatetv from the ‘watch' tab

 

Upcoming Climate change events  -  April/May  events

Full details available on www.climatex.org/events

 

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Sat 10^th May - Operation Noah, the faith-based climate change campaign, has its General Meeting in Oxford on Saturday, 10 May 12.30 - 4.00 pm, at Ss Mary & John Church on the Cowley Road. (see details above).

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Monday May 12th University of the Third Age talk: 'Climate Change - Does it Matter'

at the Preston Road Community Centre, Midget Close, off the Preston Road. Abingdon . Contact Mrs Pat Benoist on 01235 537266 Contact Pat for the timing - usually afternoons!

 

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Weds May 14th  9pm Wolfson Film Society & Transition Oxford present:The Wednesday Documentaries (Transition Films) The End of Suburbia

 

This film explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply.  As energy prices skyrocket in the coming years, how will the populations of suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow? And what can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid The End of Suburbia? This film motivated Rob Hopkins to start the Transition Movement!.

9pm Wolfson Bar, Wolfson Graduate College, Linton Rd, Oxford. Post show discussion, non-students welcome!

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Monday 19th May 2008, 4pm "Reasons for Hope"  a lecture by Dr. Jane Goodall, Oxford Museum of Natural History

Renowned naturalist and champion of chimpanzees, Dr. Jane Goodall, will be visiting Oxford to speak about her current work with Roots & Shoots and the Jane Goodall Institute, as well as provide her thoughtful insights and optimistic message of hope regarding the future of our planet and the human species.

The lecture will be followed by a book signing. All are welcome.

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Tuesday 20th of May - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m

Flood Planning for Beginners! - A workshop on flood planning for householders or business owners .

At: Oxford Brookes University, Gypsy Lane Campus,  Oxford Parking available in the University Car Park.)

Understand the risks of flooding, ongoing post-flooding impact, insurance issues, specific aspects of flood planning, sources of further information. The room is on the ground floor and there is access for wheelchairs. *FREE*

Contact: Sue Priest sue.priest@ems2.com / 01295 278686

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May 21^st The Power of Community:

  When Cuba lost access to Soviet oil in the early 1990s, the country faced an immediate crisis - feeding the population - and an ongoing challenge: how to create a new low-energy society. This film tells the story of the Cuban people's hardship, ingenuity, and triumph over sudden adversity - through cooperation, conservation, and community.

9pm Wolfson Bar, Wolfson Graduate College, Linton Rd

There will be an opportunity to discuss these films after they are shown. Non-students welcome!

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Thursday May 22, 5:30 pm, Professor Dave Elliott, The Open University

Renewables in the UK: why we are so far behind the rest of the EU?.

Oxford University Centre for the Environment, Dyson Perrins Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY

 

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Thursday 19 June 10 am - 1 pm
ENERGY CONSERVATION FOR HOMES IN OXFORD (ECHO) TRAINING

ECHO training is free to householders and members of community groups based in Oxford and covers Home Insulation, Heating and Hot water, Fuel use and tariff issues, Grants and subsidies, Damp and mould.

Attendees will be trained in the basics of home energy and latest local and
national energy-saving initiatives.  Designed for individuals who want to
know more about domestic energy use and representatives of groups or
charities who may want to give energy advice in their community.
If you are interested in attending please contact Laura Thompson, Oxford
City Council, on 01865 252197, or e-mail lthompson@oxford.gov.uk .

 

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For further info and to get involved, contact info@climatex.org

Email upcoming events to info@climatex.org

 

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