Thursday, June 28th, 2007
For those of us who’ve got the message about climate change and peak oil it seems pretty strange that our Government still stands by the Aviation White paper. Gordon Brown’s statements supporting airport expansion and endorsing the useless ‘offsetting’ that people use to pretend their emissions have no impact make pretty depressing reading - see his question and answer session. You can let Mr Brown know your views by emailing the PM.
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
Thirty people, all ages and all walks of life, enjoyed a delightful ride through North Somerset country lanes on Saturday 16 June to mark Europe’s day of action on aviation. The bike ride set off from Temple Meads and finished on the traffic-bound A38 outside Bristol Airport. The point of the day was to draw attention to the fact that if Bristol Airport goes ahead with its proposed expansion, then the resulting extra greenhouse gas damage will wipe out all the possible reductions that would be achieved if Bristol went totally carbon neutral. It’s hard to see how the proposed expansion can possibly be compatible with Bristol’s pledge at its recent Green Summit. ITV News West were clearly bemused by the mild, polite and friendly bunch of ‘protesters’ as were the BIA police, who turned out in force.
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
On 16 June our Whiteladies Farmers Market had its first Saturday event. It was very busy, despite the uncertain weather, and attracted publicity from local radio. Many thanks to everyone who helped, and all who came to do their shopping.
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007
Radio Four’s You and Yours didn’t quite know what to make of Transition Town Lewes, but inadvertently did a fairly good job. Strangely enough the ‘arch-critic’ James Hartfield, who cycles, sorts his rubbish, and wants to help his local primary school get solar panels, just seemed out of touch, and although peak oil was dismissed by the presenter as fantasy, she and Hartfield didn’t seem quite prepared what Jeremy Leggett had to say Listen here
Sunday, June 10th, 2007
This June our Farmers Market goes to fortnightly, and will alternate Fridays with Saturdays. Check out this BBC link to see it reported. Loads of local people have said they would really welcome a Saturday market, so it’s great to have achieved this within a year of our first few stalls setting up as a try-out just a year ago.
Monday, June 4th, 2007
We had a big turnout for Ian and Rita who covered a massive amount of information, about the fluctuations in the earth’s climate that have existed since the beginning of life on earth, about climate models, about what we do know and what we don’t know, what is happening to biodiversity, and how the complex interactions of natural and human induced factors are affecting the climate now. They have posted their slides, and some guidance about more information sources, on this weblink. One interesting thread to the discussion concerned James Hansen’s recent calculations looking at CO2 predictions using realistic estimates of remaining oil and gas supplies. Anyhow, the evening gave us much food for thought, and left us in no doubt that reducing our use of non-renewable energy, and switching to more local ways of living and food production, are definitely the right way to be going.
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
Chris Goodall has written a highly rated book ‘How to live a low carbon life’. He says that reducing his own footprint has massively improved his quality of life. This is not what the petrochemical industry spin doctors Read more…»
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007
At a May Day summit hosted by Prince Charles and held at ten linked venues, including the South West’s Eden Project, over 1000 businesses signed up to action on climate change, and 600 committed to be Mayday companies, and to report back in one year on the progress they have made. More information is on the Business in the Community website.
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007
There is now a two page pdf file that you can download from our Personal Transport page, giving key facts that we have found helpful. It includes some of the conversion factors that the national CRAG people recommmend for working out your footprint.
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
May 12 and 13 sees the biggest yet Climate Change Conference. Looking through the list of speakers and workshops many of the themes are reflected already in the work of Bristo-based groups and our Transition City initiative. The topics cover everything from carbon allowances, peak oil, the future of nuclear power, the end of cities, building coalitions, personal action, community involvement etc etc.