Cutting carbon in Shelthorpe

1. Cutting carbon in Shelthorpe Ideas for projects and events Andrew Reeves, RCC Shelthorpe Community Association EGM, Tuesday 20th July 2010

2. Communities Cutting Carbon • Two year project, started in March 2010 • Supported by DMU and local councils • Supporting community groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to act on climate change • dedicated support for 10 communities, including Shelthorpe • Help with • ideas for projects and events • funding (grants of up to £5000) • training on green issues/solutions • My background • academic research • grassroots action

3. Meeting aims • Discuss ideas for community projects and events • Info on ideas from elsewhere in the UK • Select most popular idea(s) • Meeting community’s needs • Viable (volunteer time, funding, etc) • Complements existing activity • Decide upon next steps • Future activities • Next meeting?

4. Background • 21st century challenges • Fossil fuels getting scarcer and more expensive • Changing global climate • Economic downturn • Responses • Meeting needs using local resources • local food, local renewable energy... • Developing new skills • growing food, insulating homes... • Planning for a positive low-carbon future • Benefits of a low-carbon community • Brings community together • Healthier lifestyles • Reduced fuel bills

5. Ideas: Local food • Growing • Tree planting (e.g. community orchards, “Fruity Corners”), community herb gardens, new allotments, gardening training courses • Composting • Advice and training, cheap containers • Collect and use on community garden? • Sharing and celebrating • “Big Lunch” day

6. Ideas: Energy • Energy efficiency fairs • Information and advice • “Big switch Off” day in October? • Energy audits for community buildings • RCC and Energy Saving Trust can help • Install renewable energy? • Run a local “Green Doctor” scheme • Short home visits with advice, and simple energy efficiency measures installed • Training for energy champions? • Renewable energy • Support to install solar panels?

7. Ideas: Green skills • Training events for young people, • Visit to Stevenson College • Renewable energy taster • Woodland experience and skills • e.g. http://www.wildthings.org.uk • Crafts exhibition in Circle of Life garden • gardening skills (grow your own food, organic methods, garden design...) • clothing (darning socks, knitting, weaving...) • making art (from recycled materials?) • Local skillshare courses • local people organise programme of workshops to share craft skills

8. Ideas: Travel • Events to promote greener transport options • e.g. cycling, public transport • Campaigning for improved walking/cycle routes • Car pool groups • Walking school buses

9. Ideas: Carbon challenges • Promote and run Ecoteams • 5 meetings with friends/neighbours • Learn about environmental impacts • Support with making changes • Carbon challenges • People in Shelthorpe pledge to reduce their carbon footprint over 6 months • e.g. one family, one business, one street • each participant monitors and shares results • Work with local schools • arts project on saving energy • name the project

10. Ideas • CHECKLIST: Meets community’s needs? Viable (volunteer time, funding, etc)? Complements existing activity?

11. Contact details Andrew Reeves Community Climate Change Officer, RCC 0116 268 9718 areeves@ruralcc.org.uk http://www.ruralcc.org.uk/climate-change.html