         
Dear ClimateXchange readers, this ClimateX update is the last one I’ll be producing. Positive changes are afoot, meaning that this update will be merged with the Community Action Groups email updates. See item 1.1 for further details. This update contains details of past and upcoming events, news, requests for research, plus links to many new resources, including the full reports from the recent Transition Network conference. Happy reading and best wishes
1. News1.1 Last ClimateXchange update: Oxfordshire has a number of support organizations working on climate change, and some of our activities overlap. Next week I’ll be posting out details of the changes coming up, specifically about the ClimateXchange update list merge, what you’d like to see in the new update format, and how to subscribe / unsubscribe to the lists. Additionally it’ll contain information about changes for other parts of our work. I’m confident that these changes herald a much more joined up and strategic approach to catalyzing and supporting climate action in Oxfordshire. I’ve really enjoyed producing these updates, I hope they’ve been useful and interesting to you. I’ve been constantly inspired by the stories and news that you’ve contributed and I look forward to contributing to the newer services. Keep up the good work. 1.2 Behaviour change and energy use report The Cabinet Office “Nudge unit” brought out its report on behaviour change and energy use on 8th July... One highlight is that until the roll out of the full domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) next year, the government will be considering how to apply behavioural insights to the policy design of the RHI to maximise uptake.http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/behaviour-change-and-energy-use (from Green Alliance’s green living blog). 1.3 New report: Green Street, Strong communities: http://www.ippr.org/publications/55/7703/green-streets-strong-communities The IPPR’s report evaluating the British Gas Green Streets Community Energy Challenge, which found benefits in terms of energy efficiency and generation as well as community engagement and improvement. 1.4 Resilient to what?: a fascinating new look at riskhttp://transitionculture.org/2011/07/07/resilient-to-what-a-fascinating-new-look-at-risk/ Rob Hopkin’s recent blog about the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report, he writes…In it, the authors set out all the risks they see in the world on a matrix which positions the various risks by their perceived impact on the global economy and by the perceived likelihood of their happening… But no. There at the top, leading the pack, are climate change, ‘extreme energy price volatility’ and fiscal crises. 1.5 Review of the (Scottish) Climate Challenge Fund - Research Findings 1.6 More on the Red Tape Challenge
Winchester Action Against Climate Change have contacted LCCN suggesting that we don’t just look to protect issues (e.g. the Climate Act), but that we should also collect a list of things we want to invite people to suggest - for example, the reduction of red tape in planning law that prevents the installation of PV cells on domestic roofs. Any suggestions to LCCN here and we’ll assemble a list. 1.7 A million extra households threatened by fuel poverty: British Gas follow Scottish Power's price hikes? Centre for Sustainable Energy’s number-crunchers look at what happens if other energy suppliers follow Scottish Power’s recent price hikes.: http://www.cse.org.uk/news/view/1544?utm_source=CSE+e-news&utm_campaign=4b4cab6ec1-CSE_enews_july_2011&utm_medium=email 1.8 Emissions sadly are not reducing The Climate Change Committee have informed the government that emissions rose 3% in 2010. This was in part because we have a particularly cold winter, but the trend is still flat. They say people are generally buying more energy efficient cars, but the uptake of home insulation has slowed. In the summer it is a great time to beef up your home insulation so pop up into your attic and check to see if you have sufficient insulation to keep the drafts out! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13946816 1.9 HELP US PLANT 20,000 NEW TREES IN OXFORDSHIRE BY MARCH 2012 This July saw the launch of OLLY-Wood, a new Oxfordshire project that with your support will plant 20,000 trees in our county. The campaign centres on a simple exchange system, donate a mobile phone or ipod and you will have a tree planted in OLLY-Wood. OLLY-Wood was born out of the relationship between Oxford United and Oxford University. The University is working with the football club to see how Sport can help promote pro-environmental behaviours and through the research it became evident that fans wanted to see an end product; OLLY-Wood is that product. Already OLLY-Wood has supporters ranging from FitzHarrys School in Abingdon to the Ridgeway Partnership in the NHS. Oxford United supporters are developing OLLY-Wood as their lasting symbol of loyalty to the club whilst a number of businesses are solving one of their waste issues. Brooke Carey (9) of Witney has already donated her mum’s old mobile because “I can watch the trees grow as I grow.” Nick Thomas, of Fone Twigs, says, “We hope that over the next few years we will have developed a number of OLLY-Woods throughout the county and removed a waste stream as we do it”. To add your tree please send your mobiles and ipods to the freepost address below where Fone Twigs, a not-for-profit organisation in Witney, will recycle your phone: Freepost RSRJ-LGUU-CYXA, OxTreeGen Ltd, Park House In exchange you will receive a certificate acknowledging your donation, the tree type and the plot number for your donation. If you would like your business or organisation to get involved please contact Barney Jenkins on 07966077954 or barney.jenkins@oxtreegen.com . Green Accountancy are collecting old mobile phones for recycling as part of OLLY-Wood Each phone that we collect will pay for one tree to be planted at a new woodland called OLLY-Wood. Full details are at http://www.greenaccountancy.com/2011/07/please-send-us-your-old-mobile-phones/
2. Research2.1 The Environmental Change Institute and Transport Studies Unit (constituents of the University of Oxford) are looking for households to participate in environmental interviews (only once!). The interview will be able energy behaviours, energy demand, and community activism. The purpose of the interview is to shed insight on these subjects. The interview will last for no more than 1 hour and at a location of ease for the household. If this sounds interesting, please contact Malek at malek.alchalabi@ouce.ox.ac.uk 2.2 Research looking into urban home gardens as wildlife habitats Request from Rachel Schnaitman: I am an Msc student currently studying urban home gardens as they are easily overlooked, yet excellent habitats for wildlife! I am very interested in citizen science and the ability of the average homeowner to provide wildlife habitat and to make a difference for biodiversity! If you currently are living in a home that has a garden, I would be very grateful if you would complete the following short survey. Please pass this survey on to anyone else you think may be interested in taking it but please take note that the deadline for completion is 1 August. Thank you for your participation! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8YTG9RJ 2.3 COMMUNITY INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY. Community groups are invited to take part in a survey about work on different types of energy projects, including energy saving, efficiency and generation. If groups are working to change energy behaviour or raise energy awareness they should participate in the survey. Information about the project at http://www.grassrootsinnovations.org/Grassroots_Innovations/CISE/CISE_home.html Find the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sustainableCommunityEnergy
3. Resources3.1 Full round up of materials from the 2011 Transition Network conference The Transition Network recently held their annual conference, and the materials have been written up and put online on their website. You can take a look at the topics here: 3.2 Campaign Strategy newslist http://campaignstrategy.org/index.php modest suggestions for anyone trying to save the world Chris Rose, the author of ‘How to win campaigns: communications for change’, has a great website, with specific discussions on communications, strategy and using values modes. There’s a good email newsletter to sign up to, with thought provoking items.
3.4 Climate Weekly news stories from One Climate: http://mim.io/1ac131?fe=1&pact=4414761587 Packed with videos and news about climate change and impacts from around the world. 4. Communities4.1 ONCORE on track Oxford North Community Renewables (ONCORE) are aiming to raise a minimum of £145,000 through community investment, to fund an installation of around 250 panels (50kWp) that will produce cheap, clean electricity for Cherwell School for at least 25 years.The offer was launched on Monday June 6th and will remain open until 31 July 2011. We hope to raise the full amount as soon as possible, so we can complete the installation over the summer holidays – they’ve already raised £122,000. Further details of their plans and hte share offer: http://oncore.org.uk/ 4.2 Oxford Preservation Trust Awards - a chance for your community project to receive £500. Do you know of a community project which links people and spaces? If so they could be eligible for the Oxford Preservation Trust Community Award with the chance to receive £500 towards the winning project, thanks to support from Minns Estates and Kemp & Kemp Property Consultants. The OPT Awards, now in their 34th year, recognise the contribution that projects make to Oxford and its surrounds and the Community Award is a special category designed to recognise local projects and the groups that make things happen and keep the projects going. Visit the OPT website http://www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk/planning/awards.php to find out how to enter with the chance to with £500. Deadline for application is 29th July 2011 4.3 Training for transition - 12th &13th November 2011 Haddenham, Bucks Are you involved in starting a transition initiative in your community or curious about what it involves? Training for Transition is a 2-day course for those wanting the practical tools and know how to set up, run, and maintain a successful transition initiative... and it’s free thanks to funding from the Midcounties Co-operative. For full details of what the course covers see http://www.transitionnetwork.org/support/training/training-transition-detail If you would like more information please email haddenhamtransition@gmail.com or phone Kirsten on 01844 291586 or Dave Lyons on 01844 296174 . 4.4 Community buying unlimited: http://www.community-buying.com/ The Community Buying Symposium took place on 14th July 2011, to launch Community Buying Unlimited. From starting up a domestic heating oil buying group to buying Solar PV. Registration for their pilot project has opened, with their Solar Buying group opening on 1st August. Check out their web page for further information. 4.5 Training for Community-Led planning CSE is running ten workshops to explore how communities can plan low-carbon and renewable energy initiatives, such as wind farms or solar projects. The workshops are aimed at community groups themselves, as well as the staff of organisations like local authorities, national parks and third sector organisations who work with communities on local planning or sustainable living initiatives. Furhter info: http://www.cse.org.uk/news/view/1546?utm_source=CSE+e-news&utm_campaign=4b4cab6ec1-CSE_enews_july_2011&utm_medium=email 4.6 Sustainable Kirtlington has a new website: .. and very fine it is too. See for yourself here www.sustainablekirtlington.co.uk 4.7 Kidlington Eco-fair report The Kidlington Eco Fair, organised by Kidlington vs Climate Change (Sat. 18th June) achieved one of its goals with the successful launch of our Solar PV community ‘group buying’ scheme. Through a thorough tendering process, we have chosen to partner with Energy My Way who can offer a 10% discount on total installation costs to residents in the Kidlington area, reducing your dependence on grid electricity and providing income through the Feed in Tariff. 4.8 Sustainable Wallingford update Buy local directory: the details on their website will be updated on a regular basis - see http://www.sustainablewallingford.org/buy-local. They have recently produced a cycling leaflet to cover routes west of Wallingford and that was launched in May 2011: http://www.sustainablewallingford.org/transport/default.htm Over the winter months Sustainable Wallingford carried out a Thermal Imaging project using a camera borrowed from SODC. 110 homes signed up to have a thermal image taken of their homes from the street, all those who signed up received a written report included the images of their homes. A summary report of the project is being worked on at present. 4.9 CONSULTATION ON VOLUNTARY SECTOR SUPPORT Have you used the support available from OCVA or Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC)? Do you want to retain this service or suggest changes that should be made to meet your needs? Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is consulting on the way it funds the organisations that provide support to local voluntary sector groups (sometimes referred to as infrastructure services). Currently OCVA and ORCC have contracts to provide support and these run out on 31 March 2012. The Council is consulting on what support Oxfordshire’s community and voluntary groups will need from April 2012-March 2015. Have your say by the 12 September deadline. The full consultation is available at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/vcsinfrastructure plus an online questionnaire. Additionally there are consultation sessions around the county Oxford - Wednesday 20 July 10am-12 noon. Banbury - Thursday 21 July 2pm-4pm, Abingdon - Wednesday 27 July 2pm-4pm. Kidlington - Tuesday 6 September 10am-12 noon/ Email compact@oxfordshire.gov.uk or phone the administration team on 01865 328281 to let them know your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices (ONCF newsletter) 4.10 Big Carbon Challenge report now online A short report of the Big Carbon Challenge project and overview of the competition will shortly is now online at: http://climatex.org/articles/lo-carb-communities/big-carbon-challenge-2010-2011/ 5. Eco-renovation
5.1 Superhomes open in September: Be sure to visit a SuperHome this September and discover how easy it is to create a warm and comfortable low energy home. The September 2011 Openings are being held in conjunction with Heritage Open days and the Open House London weekend from Thursday 8th to Sunday 25th September. http://www.superhomes.org.uk/news/be-sure-to-visit-a-superhome-%E2%80%93-september-openings-2011-in-conjunction-with-heritage-open-days-and-open-house-london-weekend-%E2%80%93-thursday-8th-to-sunday-25th-september Note: ClimateXchange isn’t co-ordinating an Oxfordshire version, but if you know of homes that would like to open up as part of the Old Home SuperHome network, contact them directly: http://www.superhomes.org.uk/ 5.2 You Gen search facility being tested on the ClimateX websiteDue to requests for recommendations for companies, we decided not to reinvent the wheel, but to collaborate with an existing search engine operated by YouGen. You can search for many renewable energy suppliers here: http://climatex.org/ecorenovation/ . Over the summer we will be updating the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation directory, and including links to YouGen recommendations in the Directory. 5.3 Solar companies give consumers poor advice, says Which?
6. Funding:
6.1 WOULD £2,000 MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR PROJECT? TOE2 is an exciting venture developed by the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) providing support and funding for local communities wishing to:
TOE2 has a clear set of funding guidelines closely matched to strategic priorities in these three areas in Oxfordshire, whilst supporting the delivery of projects at the community level. TOE2 can currently fund projects with grants of up to £2,000. We are inviting applications from projects where this level of funding will make a significant contribution and which:
Applications submitted by the 15th July will be considered at our August meeting. For further information on applications or on working with TOE2 to fund local projects, please contact Fiona Danks on 01865 883488 or Fiona.danks@oxonrcc.org.uk or toe@oxonrcc.org.uk 7. JobsOXFORDSHIRE BIODIVERSITY AND PARTNERSHIP OFFICER c 23,000-27,000 pa (pro rata) subject to experience Full time or part time post, 1-year contract with the potential to extend.
Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum has a long and successful history of promoting partnership working and of delivering biodiversity. In recent years we developed an innovative approach to delivering biodiversity at a landscape scale. The government’s recent White Paper on the Natural Environment outlines ways in which our partnership and biodiversity work could develop. We are now looking for a Biodiversity and Partnership Officer to take forward this exciting new area of work. The job description can be found on our website www.oncf.org.uk (under ‘contact’) alternatively please email Clare Mowbray clare@oncf.org.uk Closing date 11th August, interviews Tuesday 30th August (we will confirm interview times with successful candidates by 19th August)
8. UPCOMING EVENTSMore events on the online calendar: http://climatex.org/whats-new/ plus a full list of Environmental lectures available here: http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/oxfordenv/index.php If you’d like to add you own event, please do so via the link under the events calendar: http://climatex.org/whats-new/ 8.1 Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 July 10 am – 5 pm INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE DESIGN This two-day course will offer information and hands-on experience in designing for sustainability in all walks of life. It will empower you to grow your own food and make a positive contribution towards a sustainable future for our society. The course will be led by Phil Pritchard, permaculture designer and teacher, and Harry Wykman, Australian permaculture activist and teacher. The course is open to anyone interested in finding out more about permaculture. Fees: £65-£95. To book a place or find our more, contact Phil on 01865 718 980 or phil@rubbishmonsters.com or visit the Oxford Permaculture website: http://www.oxfordpermaculture.org.
8.2 16 July University Farm Picnic & Meadow Walk University Farm (FAI), The Field Station Wytham OX2 8QJ Come to the University Farm on Saturday 16th July to hear about the species-rich hay meadows and how the plants that grow there are influenced by the grazing of animals. Dr. Alison McDonald and Mike Gooding (Director of FAI) will talk about the long-term maintenance of these unique meadows, their plants and animals. 12.00 -1.00: Please bring a picnic. Drinks (tea, coffee, water, juice) will be provided. Picnic tables in the FAI Farmyard (in Barn if wet) 1.00: Those who wish to walk to the meadow set off on guided walk. 1.15: Trailer leaves farmyard for those who do not wish to walk 1.30: Arrive at meadow. Talks by Alison and Mike 2.45: Trailer leaves for return journey back to Farmyard 8.3 Zero Carbon Britain Day 8.4 16 – 31 July TAKE PART IN THE BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT Sir David Attenborough, Butterfly Conservation President, is urging the public to take part in the world's biggest butterfly count. The spring of 2011 has been one of the hottest on record with severe droughts in some areas, and may have had a huge impact on our native species, so the results of Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count are more important than ever. Butterflies are key indicators of the health of our environment and the count will provide crucial information which could help secure the long-term future of these threatened insects. Taking part is easy - find a sunny place and spend just 15 minutes counting every butterfly seen and then submit your sightings online at http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/ There are identification charts at this address to help you. (ONCF newsletter)
8.5 GREEN DRINKS – Wednesday 27th July from 6.30pm, front room of the Kings Arms, 40 Holywell Road, Oxford. For map, see http://www.youngs.co.uk/pub-detail.asp?PubID=420&image=0 Green drinks is an informal networking and discussion event for anyone interested or working in environment, sustainability, climate change and any other related fields. The idea is to meet once a month over a few drinks to chat and exchange ideas with other environmentally like minded people. Green drinkers may come from many different walks of life, but with a common interest in environmental issues. This is part of a global initiative and more information can be found via http://www.greendrinks.org/Oxfordshire/list 8.6 :Advance notice: September 24th – Moving Planet day: http://www.moving-planet.org/ideas 8.7 Advance notice: Tuesday 18 October 2011 at 6pm St Frideswide Civic Service 2011 ‘A Celebration of the Environment’ at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford For more details and tickets please contact: Janet Bartlam – janet.bartlam@ntlworld.com **** 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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