         
The latest news and upcoming events from ClimateXchange.
Here's a round- up of recent March events, and upcoming events for the next couple of months. The Spotlight section features news on the Ideal Green Home Show, Ask the Climate Question and Tar Sands campaigning, followed by:
Share your news and upcoming events: please forward any climate related events and news to jo@climatex.org for our new newsletter by 16th April. Thanks to Maggie for keeping our ClimateX calendar updated.
Spotlight
Ideal green Home Show On 23-24th April the Ideal Green Home Show takes place at Oxford Town Hall. Featuring over 20 stalls: architects, solar PV and solar hot water installers, energy advisors, insulation companies, permaculture, green products, recycled materials, plus a packed programme of talks: case studies of home eco-renovations, Feed in tariffs, intro to solar PV and solar hot water, Full details here: http://climatex.org/articles/eco-renovation/ideal-green-home-show/ plus see event 5.5 below.
Ask the Climate QuestionAsk the Climate Question is a coalition of UK environmental and development charities and not-for-profits, focusing on marginal seats where the candidates and political parties are listening the hardest. They're calling on everyone to: Ask the Climate Question. The local group have organised a CLIMATE QUESTION TIME with the Oxford East candidates on Wednesday 21 April, 7.30 pm In the Assembly Room, Oxford Town Hall. See details event 5.4 below. Further info about the national campaign here: http://asktheclimatequestion.org.uk/
Toxic fuels campaigns:Toxic Fuels, the campaign of the Co-operative groups in partnership with WWF-UK, aims to combat the shocking global trend of extracting oil from unconventional sources, such as tar sands and shale oil. The coalition of many groups working on this have managed to get two shareholder resolutions going to the AGM's of BP (April) and Shell (May). They are working hard to focus pressure specifically on the pension funds and you can help influence them if you have a pension or if you don't. There's a simple way to help make this happen - go to: http://www.fairpensions.org.uk/tarsands/action and further info available here: http://toxicfuels.com/learn/
1.1 UEA Email latest: MPs investigating the climate change row at the UK's University of East Anglia (UEA) have demanded greater transparency from climate scientists. More info: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8595483.stm
1.2 Peer pressure plays a key role in low-carbon living Being seen to be green and social status influence our green living choices far more than doing them for ethical reasons. More info: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2010/mar/30/green-peer-pressure
or for a contrasting view: 1.3 James Lovelock: Humans are too stupid to prevent climate change . Full story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/mar/29/james-lovelock-climate-change
1.4 Not just the clicks going forward: 10:10's Light Later campaign. More info: http://www.lighterlater.org/
1.5 Money spent on tar sands projects could decarbonise western economies http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/15/bp-shell-tar-sands-green-energy
2. RESOURCES
2.1 New Website: Earthing Faith. Earthing Faith is a collaborative website to resource and encourage us as we connect our spirituality and faith with the earth around us, from the Oxford Diocese. It aims to 'provide a space to share ideas and experiences around the environment' and 'spark ideas and connect you with other peoples experiences and stories'. Do check it out and join in.
2.2 New DVD: Turning Point DVD - we've got a copy of this DVD, which is available to borrow. Further info about the DVD: http://www.theturningpointfilm.co.uk/index.php For borrowing DVDs and projecting equipment, contact jo@climatex.org In Transition DVD - Two copies available to borrow for your screenings
2.3 http://flightlesstravel.com/ - New website promoting what it says on the tin
2.4 Meeting Environmental Challenges: The Role of Human Identity builds the case for identity campaigning. A new (ish) book from WWF, makes good reading for considering the role of identity and behaviour change. More info: www.identitycampaigning.org/identity-campaigning-the-book/
3. COMMUNITIES UPDATE
3.1 West Oxford Community Renewables Ltd (WOCR) plans to establish an Ecology centre on the grounds as a centre of excellence for sustainable living. The Centre will be a place of inspiration and education, promoting the transformation from a heavily carbon-based existence to a shared low carbon future. More info: http://www.lowcarbonwestoxford.org.uk/index.php
3.2 Transition Eynsham Area held a meeting with David Cameron recently, here's a report from their meeting: ‘ Local MP David Cameron gave an up-beat message to Climate change Groups in his Witney Constituency on Friday evening. The aim of the meeting was to give Mr Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, an update on the rapidly growing Climate Change movement in his Constituency. He said his solution to carbon reduction was to enable people and local Councils to do more by making it financially worth their while to install solar and wind generators etc. He assured the meeting that his own personal commitment to slowing Climate change would be continued if the Conservatives were in power. He said that even people who are not impressed by the evidence for Climate Change accepted the need for Britain to be independent of unstable suppliers of oil and gas. Mr Cameron was speaking to a group of his constituents who are members of six local Groups taking practical action to reduce carbon emissions. There were representatives from GreenTea (Eynsham area), and from Groups in Charlbury, Woodstock, Witney and Chipping Norton'.
3.3 Sustainable Blewbury recently screened ‘in Transition' and had this to say about it: ‘it was ideal for our showing and had a good balance between basics and a few hard hitters (good to see Ed Milliband etc). It reinforced what we were doing here and led to one or two good follow ons.'
3.4 Tackley Green Streets group are planning a Green Fair in on 15th May - further info: http://www.tackleyvillage.co.uk/tgsh.html
3.5 Thermal Imaging Camera for loan to Cherwell District Community groups Cherwell District Council have a thermal imaging camera available for use by Parish Councils and other formally constituted community groups in Cherwell who have insurance. You can borrow it from October - March. If you're interested in borrowing it please contact: Jo Colwell , Environmental Strategy Environment and Community, Environmental Services, Cherwell District Council Barracks Lane Community Garden have a host of upcoming events, see http://www.barrackslanegarden.org.uk/
4. ECO-RENOVATION
4.1 For the latest eco-renovation update see: http://climatex.org/articles/eco-renovation/oxfordshire-eco-renovation-club-march-update/ , with details of recent eco -renovation club events, activities, and other upcoming eco-renovation events.
To subscribe to the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Mailing List email jo@climatex.org with ‘Ecoren_subscribe' in the subject line. Here's a selection of the content:
4.2 More case studies online: New Case study: A terraced house in Minster Road, Oxford, gets a makeover. Read the case study here: http://climatex.org/articles/eco-renovation/case-study-minster-road/
You can see a guide to some eco-renovation online case studies here: http://climatex.org/articles/eco-renovation/case-studies-web/
We've also got hard copies of case studies available in a folder, so let me know if you'd like a copy for your community group / upcoming event.
4.3 Ecoworkshops http://www.ecoworkshops.co.uk/ Going Green: Re-inventing Family Homes and Lifestyles This workshop is perfect for homeowners undertaking their own home redesign or briefing builders or Architects. Use SEED-groups professional knowledge and years of experience to help inspire and inform your eco design. This is a unique opportunity to ask eco advisers questions; meet like minded people and build your network of sources and recommendations. Price £65.00 Book this workshop by choosing a date below:
4.4 Feed in Tariffs (or Clean energy Cashback schemes), will be introduced on 1st April this year for electricity generation. Read the low down here: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy/Feed-in-Tariff-Clean-Energy-Cashback-scheme
4.5 Local Micro-generation Coordinator The local EST provider has a Micro-generation Coordinator : Ruth Wharton, ruth.wharton@est-tvs.org.uk , who will be able to answer your questions about Micro-generation and the Feed In Tariffs. She'll also be at the Ideal Green Home Show to present the info and answer questions.
4.6 More announcements from DECC: Government announcement on whole house funding Further info: http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn2010_037/pn2010_037.aspx
4.7 Boiler Scrappage Scheme now closed to new applicants. Further info: www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/PN10_050/PN10_050.aspx
4.8 Ecobuild online: If you didn't get to Ecobuild earlier in March, there's info, talks and details online here: http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/ .
5. UPCOMING EVENTSMore events on www.climatex.org/
5.1 Weds 14th of April, 2010 Green Breakfast: What is Carbon Capture and Storage? 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Kelly Benfield kelly.benfield@bllaw.co.uk 01865 253268 Blake Lapthorn Seacourt Tower West Way, Oxford Details: speaker: Tony Booer, director of Schlumberger Carbon Services Schlumberger is the world's leading oil and gas services company. From it's base in Abingdon, Schlumberger Carbon Services works with power plant operators and oilfields globally to provide technologies to capture carbon and maximise geological Co2 storage consistent with care for health, safety and the environment. 5.2 Weds 14th of April Low Carbon East Oxford Meeting. Theme: Business 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. OARC, Upstairs at the East Oxford Community Centre Princes' Street, Off Cowley Road Oxford, ox4 Details: The first themed Low Carbon East Oxford meeting for engaging businesses. 5.3 SCIENCE OXFORD LIVE CLEAN AND GREEN FESTIVAL Events on Thursday evenings, further full info on: www.scienceoxfordlive.com/
Weds 14th April 7.30pm - Should We Geo-engineer our climate? Thurs 22nd April 7.30 pm - Studying the Climate Thurs 29th April 7.30 pm- Tidal Power, the UK picture Thurs 6th May 7.30 pm - An ABC of the Climate Thurs 13th May 7.30 pm - Earth's Changing Climate Thurs 20th May 7.30 pm - Climate Change and the Developing World Thurs 27th May 7.30 pm - The Future of Farming
5.4 Wednesday 21 April 7.30 pm CLIMATE QUESTION TIME In the Assembly Room, Oxford Town Hall.
Panel: Andrew Smith MP, (Labour), Steve Goddard, (Liberal Democrats), Edward Argar, (Conservative) and Sushila Dhall (Green Party)
In OXFORD EAST, make sure you ask the 2010 Election Climate Question. As the next election approaches Greenpeace has teamed up with a collation of other environmental and development NGOs to organise a political hustings in our local constituency of Oxford East.
The coalition includes Greenpeace, Oxfam, WWF, RSPB, Christian Aid, the World Development Movement, People and Planet, Tearfund the Green Alliance, and a few others.
Between us we have 5-15,000 regular supporters in Oxford East, which is really interesting as our current MP Andrew Smith has a majority of 963. We think that the next MP (whichever party they belong to) should be made very aware of the number of people in his/her constituency that are worried about climate change. This is an issue that will win, or lose them votes. We want to ask them the climate question and make sure that the candidates we vote for have very good answers......
Contact: jspragg@nildram.co.uk with questions or offers of help
5.5 Oxfordshire Ideal Green Home Show Fri 23rd April 4-7pm and Sat 24th April 10 - 4pm Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford
• Find the advice, products and installers to transform your home into a low cost, energy efficient and low carbon home. • Packed programme of talks and discussions • Learn from people who have eco-renovated their home • Introduction to low carbon home solutions such as renewable energy and innovative insulation • Over 20 local suppliers For further information about the stall holders and programme of talks visit www.ecovation.org.uk or call 01865 275 856 / email info@climatex.org Suggested donation of £2 per adult on the door.
Organised by Oxfordshire ClimateXchange and Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN) with generous support of Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
5.6 Wednesday 28 April 10.00-15.00 NOURISHING COMMUNITIES - LOCAL FOOD PROJECTS LEADING THE WAY Are you involved in a food project which is helping to reduce health inequalities in your community? Or would you like to learn more about how you could make this happen?
If so, please join us at a free networking and learning event for community food projects in the Thames Valley area on Wednesday 28th April, 10.00-15.00 at St Anne's College, Oxford. There will be presentations and workshops on relevant themes as well as an opportunity to meet other projects from across the region and to share your experiences and ideas. The deadline for registrations is Friday 9th April, but places are limited so please book early.
For more information, please contact : Louisa Greenbaum, Communications Co-ordinator on tel: 01273 431 711 (Mon-Tue) or email: louisa@freshideas.org.uk.
5.7 7th - 9th May 2010 Power - Up London: 2010, A training weekend on the planning system and your legal rights Power Up is a weekend of workshops and networking to empower people to make a difference.
5.8 22-23 May NURTURING HOPE IN A TIME OF FALLING LIGHT Weekend workshop facilitated by Nick Totton , Grove House in Iffley. Further info: http://www.grovehouse.info/
**** 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/
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