         
Well this was going to be a very brief update to advertise some upcoming events (communities, Age of Stupid and Literary Festival - see events below) but thanks to people sending in details of their communities events it's got longer! Do keep them coming, and another update will be out in mid April.
1. Instant global updates....Have you ever wondered how much CO2 is being emitted right now? . or how much energy is being generated by renewable sources? Look no further... http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf . I've heard it's even more addictive than facebook.....
G20China dialogue: As leaders and central bankers gather in London to chart an economic recovery course, protesters seek action on "jobs, justice and climate". Maryann Bird asks what you'd say to the summit? More info: http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2869-What-would-you-tell-the-G2-
2. Age of StupidDue to the past two events selling out, there is another date for viewing the newest climate change film in Oxford - 6.30pm on Thursday 2nd April at the Phoenix Picturehouse: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/new_cinema_home_date.aspx?venueId=oxfd Book your tickets early!
3. COMMUNITIES UPDATES
3.1 Sustainable Kirtlington UpdateCelia writes: ‘We've just finished our energy surveys and thermal imaging of volunteer households in the village (12, which isn't too bad in this village!) and the Green-cred scheme at the school is under way - so now we are turning to the next BIG project - a micro-hydro scheme on the Cherwell. Come to their event on Tuesday 28th April at 8pm for a discussion of the possibilities of harnessing the potential of the Cherwell River at Flight's Mill, Kirtlington. See events for more info. 3.2 . Low Carbon Wolvercote UpdateBike Clinic Low Carbon Wolvercote has started a bike repair clinic at the Farmer's Market at Wolvercote Primary School. From 10 - 1pm every Sunday. Bring your bike along for tender loving care while you shop for great local produce. email: tim[at]timmorris.info / Tel. 01865 512860 2. River's up in Wolvercote on Friday 10th April ... Come and enjoy Low Carbon Wolvercote's next event - a play about love in a flooded village! on Friday 10th April , 7.30 in the Village Hall - with snacks by Wolvercote Cafe ... Tickets: £7.50 (£5.00 concs & £17.50 for a family ticket) On sale now from The Post Box, Lower Wolvercote & First Turn Stores, Upper Wolvercote. 3.3 Transition Eynsham Area (TEA)are holding their first public event on 3.4 Wallingford Area Climate Action - 18th April.Christian Aid and Wantage Area Climate Action are holding a joint stall, 9-12 noon outside Waitrose, to publicise Christian Aid's ‘Countdown to Copenhagen' campaign - a chance to lobby the Prime Minister on behalf of developing countries - and WACA's energy saving efforts, making the link between local and global action against climate change. For further details on Christian Aid's Countdown to Copenhagen Campaign please see www.christianaid.org.uk/actnow/; local contact 63foliat[at]tiscali.co.uk For further details on Wantage Area Climate Action (WACA), please see http://www.wacagroup.com/ or contact info[at]wacagroup.com. 3.5 Transition OxfordHave held an introduction to the Transition Oxford Plan.. and two scenarios workshops. More to be reported on in the next update, with the next event being the Transition Oxford Transport Event - 13.00 - 20.00, Thursday 23rd April (1-4, and 6-8pm) at Oxford University Centre for the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY. How do we re-organise our society so that we reduce CO2 emissions from transport? See events list below for more info, or email: oxford[at]sustrans.org.uk
3.6 Green Shoots Weekend - St Margaret's Parish, OxfordOn the weekend of Friday 8th May to Sunday 10th May, members of St Margaret's Church are organising a whole host of events to follow up the Living Green exhibition held in St Margaret's in 2007. The purpose of this year's event will not be to bring the issue of Climate Change to people's attention, we all know about the issue these days, but to help inform people about the projects that have been taken on in this area of Oxford to tackle the issues. Because of the different focus, many of the events that are planned for this weekend in May will be at various locations in the parish, so people can see where things are actually happening. For more info see the Events section. 3.7 Divine help for junipers at Aston Rowant National Nature ReserveOn April 19, Natural England and A Rocha UK, a Christian environmental group, are launching a project to establish a new juniper plantation at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR). Further info in the events section.
4. ECO-RENOVATION EVENTS SURVEYThe Low Carbon Communities Network has commissioned Environmental Change Institute to do a survey about energy efficiency, micro-generation and eco-renovation events and activities. We're wanting to find what people have learnt, what they've done and what would help them take their next step. It's all online, anonymous, won't take longer than 5 minutes - and will help focus future activities. Please do the survey online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1voSQNzWwuMx8OvwhqzjWA_3d_3d .. and we'll be giving out some eco-renovation freebies to 3 lucky Oxfordshire respondents. Thankyou.
5. Continuing Professional Development Courses this year:
The Oxford University Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Centre is now recruiting for the two-year, part-time Undergraduate Diplomas in Environmental Conservation. Details of both courses can be found at www.conted.ox.ac.uk/env
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Upcoming Events
Thursday 2 April at midday Writing for a Change - Responses To Climate Change
Iwith John Ashton, Peter Gingold, Jay Griffiths and Philip Pullman, chaired by Georgina Ferry.
Why has the artistic and particularly the written response to climate change been so muted? Is a new self-awareness going to be motivated more by fiction than by the writing of activists or is this not the role of the writer? Tickets 8.00 (7.00 concs) 0870 343 1001 http://www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/
*** Sat 11th April - Renewable Energy Overview 9am-1pm, £55 + VAT Tea /coffee provided The overview is designed to help you understand renewable energy installations and decide which is best for your individual needs. Fee refundable on booking an Installation with Race Energy within one month of attending the course. Contact Race energy: 01865 765 600 / info@raceenergy.com ***
Saturday 18th April (also Sat 25th April) - Eco Kitchen Workshops10.30am to 4.00pm (light lunch included) at Great Haseley, OxfordshireDeveloped in partnership between COIN and SEED-GROUP, the workshops will give people access to expert eco knowledge, design and skills. The sessions focus on providing attendees with a fresh and inspiring approach to design, and an insight into innovative materials that can be used. Sally Harper, Founder, SEED-Group and workshop presenter commented: "It can be really difficult for the eco aware consumer to get good advice and support, on the design and build of an authentic, sustainable eco kitchen. The workshops will help people make more considered, and confident, green living choices in the future. We're really excited to showcase our demonstration eco kitchen and hope people leave inspired and better informed." More info on http://www.ecovation.org.uk/ Tickets: £35.00 / £25 conc, PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE by contacting Toni at COIN - 01865 403334 / toni[at]coinet.org.uk *** Sunday April 19th Divine help for junipers at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve
On April 19, Natural England and A Rocha UK, a Christian environmental group, are launching a project to establish a new juniper plantation at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR). The juniper was once common in this area but has seen a dramatic decline in the past 50 years. Peter Woods, a juniper expert from A Rocha, will lead the planting work between 13:00 and 16:00, after which there will be a special service of dedication for the new trees at St. Margaret's Church.
For further information or photos of the reserve, please contact Jenny Crook, Community Liaison Officer, Aston Rowant NNR on 01844 351833, email jenny.crook[at]naturalengland.org.uk or contact Antony Hart from the Natural England communications team on 07900 608 196, email antony.hart[at]naturalengland.org.uk
*** 23rd April - Help us address the twin challenges of Climate Change and Peak Oil and contribute to the Transition Oxford Plan
Transition Oxford Transport Event 13.00 - 20.00, Thursday 23rd April Oxford University Centre for the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY. How do we re-organise our society so that we reduce CO2 emissions from transport?
Some of the questions we plan to address (although we are sure there are plenty more!)
No charge, but places limited so please book in advance from oxford[at]sustrans.org.uk ***
Saturday 25th April, Eco Kitchen Workshops - see Sat 18th April for more info *** Continuing Professional Development Courses this year:
The Oxford University Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Centre is now recruiting for the two-year, part-time Undergraduate Diplomas in Environmental Conservation. Details of both courses can be found at www.conted.ox.ac.uk/env
***
Tuesday 28th April , 8pm Sustainable Kirtlington presents a discussion of the possibilities of harnessing the potential of the Cherwell River at Flight's Mill, Kirtlington: could it power not only the Mill itself, but 50-60 other buildings or provide an income for the village to spend on energy and other schemes by selling the surplus to the grid? Come and find out more and get involved in this exciting project!
The Hazel Room, Village Hall, Kirtlington Presentations by:
Further information: Celia Hawkesworth, 01869 350304
***
Thurs 7th May - Sir Nicholas Stern - "A Blueprint for a Safer Planet". We are delighted to invite you to a distinguished public lecture by Professor Lord Nicholas Stern entitled, "A Blueprint for a Safer Planet". This takes place in the Sheldonian Theatre on Thursday 7 May 2009 from 5 to 6.30pm. Lord Stern will be talking about what he considers are the greatest challenges of the 21st Century and the route to creating a safer planet. Further details can be found at www.21school.ox.ac.uk/?redirect=236.
Lord Stern is the author of the ‘Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change' and of a new book with the same title as his lecture. He is also IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics.
***** Green Shoots On the weekend of Friday 8th May to Sunday 10th May, we are organising a follow up to the Living Green exhibition that we held in St Margaret's in 2007. The purpose of this year's event will not be to bring the issue of Climate Change to people's attention, we all know about the issue these days, but to help inform people about the projects that have been taken on in this area of Oxford to tackle the issues. Because of the different focus, many of the events that are planned for this weekend in May will be at various locations in the parish, so people can see where things are actually happening.
The outline plan is:
Friday 8th May - 7:30pm Showing of a film in St Margaret's church. There are two possible films we are investigating, one of them being "The Age of Stupid".
Saturday 9th May - 10:00am Procession around some of the sites on display.
Saturday 9th May - 11:00am - 2:00pm Displays in the church open to visitors, also children doing junk modelling in the church; other places open & demonstrating some energy saving or advice
Saturday 9th May - Evening Locally sourced meal at SMI, with some short presentations.
Sunday 10th May - 10.30am Special service at St Margaret's
Sunday 10th May - afternoon Organised walk/picnic, probably over to the Thames
These are ambitious plans but we are very hopeful that they will happen. However, the reason for sending out this note at such an early stage of the planning procedure is that we want to know who might want to get involved with the various events. ****
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
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