Community Groups Gather to Tackle Climate Change
Fri, 19 November 2010
Workshops covered a range of topics from how to set up a community-owned renewable or a community-run allotment to how to help your town go plastic bag free or organise local produce markets. Many of the workshops were provided by community group members themselves.
More than 70 local p
eople gathered at a conference in Mansfield last weekend to share ideas and experience of how communities can tackle climate change. Living for Tomorrow was a free event organised by Marches Energy Agency on behalf of the Nottinghamshire Climate Change Partnership. It allowed community group members from across the city and county to share ideas and meet with organisations which can support them.
Workshops covered a range of topics from how to set up a community-owned renewable or a community-run allotment to how to help your town go plastic bag free or organise local produce markets. Many of the workshops were provided by community group members themselves.Inspirational keynote speakers came from community groups further afield and included Mike Kinghan, a member of Whittington and Fisherwick Environmental Group, which has helped 15 people to install solar thermal panels on their homes. Helena Cooke and Nick Green of Incredible Edible Todmorden talked about their group’s efforts to create community vegetable patched in locations as diverse as public parks and supermarket car parks!
Kaye Brennan of Netherfield Eco Action Team said:
‘It’s wonderful to be recognised and invited to share our experience with others at this level. We
hope we have inspired others to try the same.’
hope we have inspired others to try the same.’Hugh Mclintock of the Nottingham-based cycling group Pedals described the day as: ‘a very successful and enjoyable event.’
Rob Crowder of Rural Community Action Network Nottinghamshire chaired the event and felt that ‘People went away inspired.’
Caroline Harmon of Marches Energy Agency said:
‘We’re really pleased that so many people were able to attend and to go away feeling empowered to keep acting to tackle climate change. So many groups in the area are taking initiative at community level, it’s great to be able to bring them all together to share their experiences.’
For some delegates the day began with a guided cycle ride from Mansifeld Town train station courtesy of members of Pedals, the Nottingham-based cycle group.