Big Climate EventWorkshop lead by Frances Buckel, CAG Project Officer, Anton Nath, Community Development Worker, Oxford Rural Communities Council (ORCC) and Moira Dorey, member of Canalside Environment Group
Frances gave a brief summary of the CAG project, (see website) followed by Anton who explained ORCC www.oxonrcc.org.uk
Participants introduced themselves and gave a brief explanation of what was blocking their progress to date.
Moira recounted how Canaside Environment Group had been set up. Houses around Aristotle Lane, Waterside and Waterways were built approx 10 years ago and a number of people in the area met together to discuss ways to raise environmental awareness. There are about 10 core members, 5-6 meeting at any one time, with others helping out at events. They have held a couple of successful tree shredding event and a litter picks and swap shops, including a children's swap shop.
One feature of this group is that they have a revolving chair - who is in post for 4 months. This allows more people to volunteer for the post, knowing that it is not "for life" but also allows every one, who wants to, to participate. What is important is that everybody should be listened to and all ideas are valuable. Not every idea is going to appeal to everyone, but with subgroups all ideas can be pursued.
Participants wrote on "Post it notes" answers/suggestions to the following questions:
What is happening in your community that seems to be working well?
What would you like to do in your community to make things better?
Answers under the headings of:
Energy - 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) - Transport - Food, including green waste composting/packaging etc - Other
The exercise was to help people realise that there are many others thinking along the same lines. So if a similar exercise was done in their village/area they would have the beginnings of action. Below were the topic headings from which groups could now take action.
Food -
Participants would like more local food and crop sharing/sales from allotments who should be encouraged to garden organically. Also encourage schools and allotment holders to compost more.
Energy -
The ability to do energy audits and more information on alternative energy sources were the main topics discussed.
Waste -
Generated much discussion, although the council collections were considered good on the whole a greater selection of items, such as plastics. Food and green waste was considered essential. Christmas tree shredding a good idea. Litter and fly tipping remain a problem. Encourage reusing household items and swap shops
Transport -
3 main areas of discussion - need for safer cycling paths and facilities for parking bikes no adequate and encourage children to walk or cycle to school.
Bus service - this is seen as expensive and not always user friendly, there was a suggestion for smaller buses on country road.
Thirdly make being at home a pleasure with areas for children to play
Other -
Climate change seems to be too big an issue for some people and how to get more people actively engaged whether this was getting the isolated households to take part or to take greater part in parish councils of other groups.
After participants had discussed their topics - the group was brought back to answer specific questions.
If a few people can get together and hold an event - any event, litter pick, film and discussion even a coffee morning people can then be encouraged to discuss what they want to do in a similar way to the group exercise. Anton gave out a very valuable website www.planmyproject.org
Other useful websites are listed below.
Frances Buckel or Simon Kenton - Resource Futures - CAG Project
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or the website www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk
Anton Nath - ORCC - www.oxonrcc.org.uk
Jo Hamilton - ClimateX www.climatex.org
Moira Dorey EiE Environmental Information Exchange www.brookes.ac.uk/eie/
For info on Master Composters - Eiles Robinson Oxfordshire County Council Eileen.robinston@oxfordshire/gov.uk
OWP - Oxfordshire Waste Partnership - Paul Mocroft www.oxfordshirewaste.gov.uk
Has details on MC, Composting, and recycling and what each District Council collects at kerbside and what can be taken to WRC.
Also Love Food Hate Waste - details of portion sizing, recipes for left overs etc. www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
WRAP - composting and what can be recycled www.wrap.org.uk
For cycling promotion days:
Back on Trax - Oxford's low cost mobile cycle specialist www.backlntrax.co.uk Or call 07919445464
Oxford cycle workshop CYCLOX www.cyclox.org
It Must Be Green - green products www.itmustbegreen.co.uk
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Rumi Mohideen - Eco Build www.oxfordecobuild.co.uk
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Street Car - car share scheme www.streetcar.co.uk
Martin Carr - Energize Oxford www.energizeoxford.googlepages.com
home energy surveys and advice This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Best Foot Forward www.bestfootforward.com Carbon Footprinting
Eco-schools website www.eco-schools.org.uk
For ideas for children and knowledge of how you can help your local school
 Starting a CAG, someuseful ideas of what is needed | [ ] | 32 Kb |