         
The latest UK climate predictions are available from DEFRA.
ClimateX and COIN's project 'Oxfordshire Eco-Renovation Social Enterprise Network' gets funding from Big Green Challenge.
See the Oxford Electric Car Trials and lots more news of successful climate progress in Oxfordshire.
Lots of resources to study and become well informed including the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan.
Update on the Events in the Communities and lots on the way.
Update on the National Events to the end of the year.
Tags: communities, Defra, july, July 2009, UK Transition, update Oxfordshire ClimateXchange update #51 - July ‘09 Sorry not to get this out earlier - but here's a bumper update to keep you going throughout August too. Locally and nationally it's been a busy time for climate change info and action - with the launch of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, Low Carbon West Oxford launching their community renewables Share offer (see Communities below) and Ed Miliband talk this evening. The next update will be early September, so please email reports of events, plus upcoming events to jo@climatex.org by 1st September. 1. IN THE NEWS 1.1 UK Climate Projections 09 (UKCP 09 ) were released in mid June. They provide the latest information on how continued emissions of greenhouse gases may change the UK's climate over 21st century. More info here: http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/ 1.2 Nesta's Big Green Challenge has funded 17 more projects, with funding from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) - including ClimateXchange and COIN's project ‘Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Social Enterprise Network (see below) and Oxofrd based ‘Julie's Bicycle'. See http://www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk/decc/ for full details. 1.3 Electric car trials wil be rolling out in Oxford: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/23/uk-electric-car-trial 1.4 Low Carbon West Oxford win PMs backing - see recent Oxford Times article: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4507459.West_Oxford_eco_energy_project_wins_Brown_s_backing/ 1.5 ECI and Oxford lead on the Manchester Report: Twenty ideas that could save the world See the climate change ideas here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/13/manchester-report-climate-change (featuring many Oxford graduates) 1.6 Oxford's Environmental Change Institute also featured twice in the Sustainable Development Commissions' Breakthroughs for the 21st Century: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/breakthroughs.html 2. RESOURCES 2.1 Two useful reviews of developments in climate science since the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report have recently been published. The Pew Centre has produced a short briefing document - go to http://www.pewclimate.org/brief/science-developments/June2009 2.2 Sweden's Advisory Commission on Sustainable Development commissioned an update on natural science-related new climate research. 'New Climate Science 2006-09' is available at http://www.regeringen.se/content/1/c6/12/73/88/f3ffebe1.pdf 2.3 Share The World's Resources http://www.stwr.org/ advocates for governments to secure basic human needs by sharing essential resources, such as water, energy and staple food. Worth a look at the Climate change info, with recent postings including ‘strategies to address global warming' and a look at ‘technofixes'. 2.4 See the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan here: The Government has published the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan in mid July, which aims to move the UK onto a permanent low carbon footing and to maximise economic opportunities, growth and jobs. http://www.eeph.org.uk/energy/index.cfm?mode=view&news_id=1224 3. COMMUNIITES UPDATE 3.1 Hold the date - Oxfordshire Big Climate Event on Sat 7th November 2009 Plans are afoot for a day of skill shares, networking and planning for big climate change community action in Oxfordshire. This will be organised by ClimateXchange and Oxfordshire CAGs, with support of Oxfordshire Climate Action Network (OxCAN). More details in September. 3.2 Low Carbon West Oxford Community Renewables Share offer West Oxford Community Renewables (WOCR) was established for the specific purpose of building and owning community-owned renewable energy schemes in West Oxford and to thus generate funds for LCWO. Find out investing in the scheme - and please promote it http://www.lowcarbonwestoxford.org.uk/index.php Barbara Hammond and Lois Muddiman from LCWO met The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown in the gardens of No 10 Downing Street on 22nd July 2009 and presented him with a gift of 10 shares in West Oxford Community Renewables Ltd. 3.3 Kirtlington had a great fun day and North Leighs Green Fair was a great success, with high interest and engaging stalls: http://www.challengenorthleigh.org/ 3.4 Goring wins Oxfordshire Village of the Year Congratulations to Goring, who recently won the Oxfordshire Village of the Year for 2009, winning the Sustainability prize and the overall prize. It was the sustainability acitivities of GSSG including thermal imaging, removing plastic bags, allotments, car sharing, talks etc, and the clincher was the hydro-power project with the working Meccano model of it. 3.5 GreenTEA Café Transition Eynsham Area are holding a trial of weekly "GreenTEA Café" gatherings from September, (see events for further details) Don't forget also the ‘Bring&Share Local Produce Picnic' on Sept 5th 12.30-2.30 at the Sports Pavilion 3.6 Banbury - Fix the Food chain Banbury Friends of the Earth have been busy with a campaign called 'Fix the Food Chain', designed to encourage the government to switch subsidies from big intensive farming to more sustainable methods, support small-scale farmers and home-grown sources of animal feed, and to change to more sustainable menus in places like hospitals and schools. Out in force at the Banbury and District show in 14 June, and will be out at the Banbury 'Canal Day' on 4th October. It's all good fun, to a serious purpose - 18% of climate change emissions comes from the production of the food we eat. 3.7 Sat 17th October Event: What could a sustainable future look like? at West Oxford Community Centre OX2 0BT - see upcoming events below What could a sustainable future look like? A wide variety of expert speakers as well as local people engaged in sustainable initiatives will provide information, inspiration and practical advice on Peak-Oil, Energy descent, Transition and the Re-ruralisation of Britain. * An inspiring and visionary community event towards co-creating our sustainable future.* Lectures, workshops, stalls, information, organic wholesome food, music and more. Further info here: http://www.communitas.co.uk/Oct17/ or contact Michael Soth: thrivingsustainably@gmail.com 01865 725 205 3.8 The Low Carbon Community Network conference - 19th September, Birmingham - further details: http://lowcarboncommunities.net/2009/06/29/conference-booking-2009-now-open/ 3.9 The Ark Not Stupid Family Camp at Braziers Park- 14-16 August 2009 see events below. The weekend is designed to provide rest and recuperation for all you Eco-Warriors! It is an informal gathering and sharing and no camper is under any pressure to attend any workshop. Just come and meander through the beautiful braziers estate, browse the small collection of specially selected stalls in our little village market and soak up the goodness.... http://www.braziers.org.uk/index.php/the-ark-not-stupid-family-camp/ 3. 10 3rd September at 7:30 pm, Oxfordshire Climate Alliance is hosting an event to look at how we in Oxfordshire will be campaigning on climate issues in the run up to Copenhagen. All groups (including churches, community groups and schools) within the county that are concerned about climate change are invited to send representatives. We'll be sharing plans and thinking how we can best work together. If a group of which you are a part might be interested, please email maranda@ccow.org.uk for further details. 4. ECO-RENOVATION 4.1 NESTA funding We've recently heard that the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Social Enterprise Network project we applied for funding for has been successful. Essentially it will provide some funding to allow us to work more closely with some community groups to encourage and enable local eco-renovation... and train up some volunteer eco-renovation facilitators. More info in the next update. 4.2 Kevin McCloud says Make existing homes greener: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/make-existing-homes-greener-says-mccloud-1745959.html couldn't agree more - see you at the Oxfordshire Eco-buildings Open Days. Meanwhile Bicester has been confirmed of one of the sites shortlisted by the Government for an eco-town. http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/4495806.Bicester_chosen_for_eco_town/ 4.3 Kitchens workshops - more dates added: COIN and SEED-Group have yet another upcoming kitchens workshop on Saturday 1st August 2009 9.30 am to 2.00pm The sessions are open to already eco aware or recently inspired people interested in making major or minor sustainable adaptations to the most carbon intensive room in our homes - the kitchen. To reserve a ticket, go to: http://www.ecoworkshops.co.uk/ Further info and booking: http://ecovation.org.uk/htmldesigns/kitchenws.html COIN - 01865 403334 4.4 Oxfordshire Eco-buildings Open Days this year - 10-13th September. Mark it in your diary now, or get involved! See http://ecovation.org.uk/ Help wanted - if you can distribute some posters or leaflets, or volunteer for part of the weekend, please contact toni@coinet.org.uk . 5. JOBS 5.1 Stop Climate Chaos Coalition: Oxford City Mobiliser Internship Help build The Wave, the UK's biggest ever demonstration on climate change! Do you live in Oxford? Do you know your local climate campaign scene? Are you happy talking to people, organising meetings, publicising events, networking with a range of local organisations? On Saturday 5 December 2009, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, tens of thousands of people from all walks of life will flow through the streets of London to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all. We need a friendly and helpful volunteer to help build The Wave, working one-two days per week from the COIN office in Oxford. To find out more and how to apply, visit: http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/city-mobiliser-internship 6. UPCOMING EVENTS also available on www.climateX.org/events
Ed Miliband Public Meeting in Oxford Friday July 31st and Saturday the 1st of August 2009. Green Economics and Sustainable Development Conference at Mansfield College, and the Oxford University Club, University of Oxford. Further info: http://www.greeneconomics.org.uk/ . The Ark Not Stupid Family Camp at Braziers Park- 14-16 August 2009 The weekend is designed to provide rest and recuperation for all you Eco-Warriors! It is an informal gathering and sharing and no camper is under any pressure to attend any workshop. Just come and meander through the beautiful braziers estate, browse the small collection of specially selected stalls in our little village market and soak up the goodness.... http://www.braziers.org.uk/index.php/the-ark-not-stupid-family-camp/
** Oxfordshire Climate Alliance -3 September at 7:30 pm, Oxfordshire Climate Alliance is hosting an event to look at how we in Oxfordshire will be campaigning on climate issues in the run up to Copenhagen. All groups (including churches, community groups and schools) within the county that are concerned about climate change are invited to send representatives. We'll be sharing plans and thinking how we can best work together. If a group of which you are a part might be interested, please email CCOW for further details. Wednesday 30th September *: 7:00-9:30pm, THE AGE OF STUPID (12A) comes to the Exeter Hal, Kidlingon
Tickets: £3 Adults, £2 concessions (inc complimentary glass of wine!) How to buy: Email us at kidlingtonvsclimatechange@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01865 841146 (evening).
Please note the film is classified as a 12A. There will be an expert for Q&A afterwards for those who wish to stay briefly.
This will be the most important film you watch this year! www.climatex.org/kidlington
** GreenTEA Café
Transition Eynsham Area are holding a trial of weekly "GreenTEA Café" gatherings. These will be held every Saturday from Sept 12th for four weeks at ‘The Emporium', Mill Street, Eynsham from 10.30-11.30am. The purpose of the GreenTEA Café will be to enable people to chat, on an informal basis, about Climate Change and Peak Oil and their impact on our way of life. Don't forget also the ‘Bring&Share Local Produce Picnic' on Sept 5th 12.30-2.30 at the Sports Pavilion and the EAWW Swap Shops on Sept 12th(Aston) and Sept 19th (Eynsham). Full details on posters nearer the time or tel. Ros Kent 01865 884119 The Low Carbon Community Network conference - 19th September, Birmingham. The last conference in Wales was inspiring, this one looks set to be the same - and is much closer. For more info and booking, see their web page: http://lowcarboncommunities.net/2009/06/29/conference-booking-2009-now-open/ Sat 17th October Event: What could a sustainable future look like? at West Oxford Community Centre OX2 0BT A wide variety of expert speakers as well as local people engaged in sustainable initiatives will provide information, inspiration and practical advice on Peak-Oil, Energy descent, Transition and the Re-ruralisation of Britain. * An inspiring and visionary community event towards co-creating our sustainable future.* Lectures, workshops, stalls, information, organic wholesome food, music and more. Further info here: http://www.communitas.co.uk/Oct17/ or contact Michael Soth: thrivingsustainably@gmail.com 01865 725 205 ** Sat Nov 7th - Oxfordshire Big Climate Event, Oxford Town Hall Advance warning: The Wave -Come Together to Stop Climate Chaos, London, 5 Dec 2009 11 million strong, we are the committed supporters, campaigners, hearts, minds and voices of over 100 organisations. The heat is on to quit dirty coal and deliver a fair international climate deal that keeps global warming under two degrees C. Join ‘The Wave' - the UK's biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change. http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/ *** For further info and to get involved, contact info@climatex.org Email upcoming events to info@climatex.org or upload them yourself: http://climatex.org/whats-new/ Subscribe to this update by sending a blank email to: climatex-subscribe@climatex.org Article by
jo_hamilton
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