         
What a month! From snow and ice (provisionally, it was the coldest January since 1997 for England and Wales) to chilling projections about carbon emissions. Meanwhile the nuclear energy debate keeps stirring up the heat, and community groups in Oxfordshire keep plugging away. This bumper issue covers upcoming events, workshops and trainings, plus the usual eclectic bit of climate info.
Coming up there are heaps of events - including this Saturday 28th at Oxford Town Hall. As usual, please do send updates from your groups, interesting articles to share, or upcoming events to info@climatex.org . Next issue will be late March, keep up the great work, and bring on spring! All the best,
Jo
1. In the news1.1 Early Action on Climate change needed, Claims by Professor Chris Field that climate change 'will be beyond anything' predicted has generated widespread interest across the media. More from the Met office:
1.2 Be Part of the Great British Refurb: Plan for all UK homes to be near zero carbon emissions by 2050, Improvements to existing energy efficiency scheme also outlined by Department for Energy and Climate Change on 12th Feb: 1.3 B&Q withdraw wind turbines: 1.4 Climate crisis needs empowered people People power is at the heart of the effort to beat climate change, says Professor Jacqueline McGlade, head of the European Environment Agency. 1.5 Spending needed on green economic measures Governments need to include spending on 'green' measures in their packages for tackling the global economic crisis in order to address the growing threat of climate change, according to a report published by former members of the team that produced the landmark report on 'The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review'. 1.6 Nuclear power ‘yes please'... see the Independent article from 23/2/09 which includes leading Oxford environmentalists. For more on this issue see last years Oxford University Debate between Dr Brenda Boardman and Sir David King. 1.7 Carbon dioxide emissions and irreversible climate change. (from UKCIP newsletter) See http://www.ukcip.org.uk/ 1.8 Amazon update New research, led by Yadvinder Malhi at Oxford University and published recently in the journal of the American Science Academy suggests that the forest could withstand some degree of climate change, but only if human pressures on it are minimized. So - in addition to reducing fossil fuel carbon emissions - finding a balance between economic development and the need to adapt human activities to climate change is crucial for Amazonia's future. The New Scientist covered the study: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16566 (from Global Canopy Project newsletter) 1.9 UK Climate Impacts Programme Climate Digest - where the latest round up of science and impacts can be found. 2. KEY UPCOMING EVENT:
Generate your own energy and save money on household bills - Technology Showcase Exhibition Oxford Town Hall 28th February 2009 10.30am-3.30pm This unique event will bring a vast range of different technologies under one roof. The general public will be able to see and ask questions on specific energy saving and renewable technologies demonstrated by industry representatives. Advice will be available so that people feel better informed about the various technologies and solutions appropriate for their homes as well as grants and special offers available. The Energy Saving Trust provides free impartial advice that can help save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the home. Call 0800 512 012.
3. COMMUNITIESAn update of recent community events - see the Upcoming events section for details of workshops for campaigning, finding recruiting and keeping volunteers, and a Hydropower Seminar on 25th March 3.1 Low Carbon.... Iffley At the beginning of February over 35 people crammed into Iffley church hall to hear about other initiatives in Oxfordshire, and see what steps they could take in their village. Energy was high, another meeting date was set, and if you'd like to find out more info contact Corinne: grimley.evans340@ntlworld.com
3.2 Free light bulbs for all at WACA (Wantage Area Climate Action) Energy Saving Event! The Slashing your energy bills while keeping warm event, organised by Wantage Area Climate Action on January 22nd at the Vale and Downland museum had a full house for the speaker Cynthia Sullivan from the Vale of the White Horse District Council. In order to help people confused by the many different energy saving technologies that are talked about, Cynthia explained "Its the no cost or low cost actions such as adjusting thermostats and turning equipment off when it isn't being used that can give the biggest savings. Renewable energy technologies such as solar or wind power are much less financially attractive and so should only really be contemplated when all the basic energy saving measures have been implemented." With the average annual energy bill per household being £1,000, and the average cost of fuel for cars being £2,000, small savings can soon add up to big savings. If you would like to be on the mailing list for future WACA (Wantage Area Climate Action) Group events, please contact info@wacagroup.com. 3.3 March 7th - Swap shops galore in March Multicoloured or not, you can find out where your nearest Swap shop event will be on March 7th...
4. ECO-RENOVATORS WANTEDHave you eco-renovated your house, or installed solar thermal or solar Photovoltaics recently? Would you like to share your knowledge and experience with people as part of this year's Oxfordshire Eco-Homes open days? If so we'd love to hear from you - contact jo@climatex.org / 01865 275 856 to discuss more.
5. ORIGIN OF SPECIESTo mark the occasion of Charles Darwin's Birthday, Oxford University recently launched the digital version of the first edition of Darwin's "The Origin of Species". Have a read by going to: http://books.google.com/books?vid=OXFORD:301043408
6. ORGANISATION UPDATES6.1 Eco-St update
ECO-St, the eco retailer has recently moved out of Yarnton Nurseries as they had no outside area to demonstrate renewables. If anyone knows of a possible new location, as they are looking for a new site in the Oxford area, please contact Jill Holmes on jill.holmes@eco-st.com. ECO-St still has 2 other shops, the closest being at Wyevale, Worlds End, Wendover. Their wide range of low energy light bulbs can be bought directly from their website http://www.eco-st.com/, and other products can be bought by calling 01844 214411. ECO-St will be at the Energy Savings Trust event on 28 Feb at Oxford Town Hall, and the Green Fair at Oxford High School on 26 March.
6.2 Low Impact Living Initiative LILI, the Low Impact Living Initiative, would love to bring an events stand to your event. See www.lowimpact.org/events.htm for details. LILI is a non-profit organisation promoting practical ways by which individuals can reduce their impact on the environment, learn new skills, save money and have fun. 6.3 Earthwatch One Year in the Woods - The Earthwatch Regional Climate Centre at Wytham Woods, Oxford Between May and October last year, 10 teams of ‘Climate Champions' - employees from HSBC bank branches and offices across Europe convened in rural Oxfordshire armed with wellies, team spirit and a desire to get their hands dirty at the Earthwatch Regional Climate Centre in Wytham Woods. Earthwatch are carrying out the research programme at Wytham Woods in collaboration with local partners the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and Oxford University's Wildlife and Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) Earthwatch are planning to run bespoke events and courses for local community members later in the year - for further info please contact Rowan Byrne at Earthwatch: rbyrne@earthwatch.org.uk Travel times...See the latest updates from the Low Carbon Travel Adventures team:
UPCOMING EVENTSIf you have a climate change event to add please either send through the details to jo at climatex.org , or add them yourself , simply click on 'submit a new event' on http://climatex.org/whats-new/ .
The Great Trade Debate - "Is trade justice a lost cause?" 23 February 2009 Oxford Town Hall 7:00 - 9:00 pm Confirmed speakers include: Harriet Lamb, Executive Director, Fairtrade Foundation John Hilary, Director, War on Want Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Edwin Laurent, Former Special Envoy to the EU for the Windward Islands Register online at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/debate
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UK Energy Research Centre Meeting Place - WEBINARS Interested in a career which will contribute to delivering a sustainable energy system and major cuts in CO2 emissions? Why not join Radio 4's Quentin Cooper for this series of evening webinars, starting Monday 9th March, 7.30-9pm. The webinars will explore the big picture of how 'whole systems' interdisciplinary science and knowledge are being used to underpin UK and global energy policy. UK policy will need to deliver 80% plus cuts in greenhouse gases. Further info: http://www.cmcgraphics.co.uk/ukenergy/science_hosted.htm
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19th March FREE ONE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNERS
SMK will offer follow-up support to each participant, in the form of one-to-one surgery sessions that will reinforce and move forward some of the key learning of the day and where appropriate make links to relevant organisations to encourage alliance building. Demand is expected to be high so please book your place as soon as possible. Further info: http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/showSubSub.php?id=15&page=2&last=59 or contact Harmit Kambo at SMK on 020 7770 7832, email harmit.kambo@sheilamckechnie.org.uk .
**** Hydropower Seminar at River & Rowing Museum, Henley Wed 25 March 2009 10am-12.15pm
Is Hydropower the answer to our future energy needs or are the controversial schemes a threat to the environment?
The River & Rowing Museum are delighted to announce that they will be holding a morning seminar on Wednesday 25 March to debate the possibilities of increasing local power generation through the installation of hydropower along the River Thames. Experts from the hydropower industry, the Environment Agency and groups interested in installing hydropower on the River Thames will join the debate.
Speakers will include
• Dave Holt, Goring Hydro-power project • Royce Longton, Thames Valley Energy • Dave Mann, Mann Power • Ian Tomes, Hydropower Manager, The Environment Agency
Tickets: £5.50 per person, places are limited and are on a first come first served basis. Please book in advance - contact Joanne Gibbison 01491 415600. http://www.rrm.co.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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