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Building Greener Communities conference

Tue, 11 May 2010

The event is in London over 27th – 28th May. The conference is about installing new low carbon technologies and energy efficiency improvements in rural and urban domestic settings, with case studies drawn from a number of difference communities and funded by the European Commission. Link

How to communicate climate change

Tue, 11 May 2010

For a free, very readable and comprehensive guide to the psychology of climate change and how to communicate with your audience go to cred.columbia.edu/guide.

Light Fantastic @ Hardwick Hall 2nd + 3rd May

Fri, 7 May 2010
This was not part of a wider event but designed to benefit from visitor numbers to a National Trust property on a Bank Holiday Weekend. Unfortunately the poor weather did have an effect on the number of visitors who wished to stop & chat, especially on the 2nd day when we were plagued by hailstorms and rain. This also meant that we had to limit outdoor activities and displays.
 
Highlights & key issues
Again many people were keen to know more about LED’s & spot lights, more attractive bulb shapes and safe disposal. There seemed to be a higher number of people who were confident that they didn’t require more bulbs from us. Generally many visitors wanted to know more about renewable energy and Feed in Tariffs, with some interest in insulation (encouraged by the cold weather). The upcoming election and future of grants for householders and businesses was a popular talking point.
  
Figures
 

Visitors
300
Bulbs
360
Powerdowns
4
Lifetime CO2 saved
51,452 kg
Lifetime financial saving
£14,295

Light Fantastic Pinxton Community Clear up 8th April 2010.

Fri, 7 May 2010
The day was designed to encourage local community involvement and many of the activities particularly involved child participation. The beautiful weather increased the number of children happy to participate in outdoor activities and many were keen to use the Energy Bike and Carbon Countdown game. There were also several parents of young children and retired people who were able to collect free low energy bulbs from us.
 
Highlights & key issues
Many people were keen to know more about LED’s & spot lights, more attractive bulb shapes and safe disposal. See Joanne Rawson for photos.
 
Figures
 

Visitors
50
Bulbs
110
Powerdowns
0
Lifetime CO2 saved
15,712 kg
Lifetime financial saving
£4,160

Light Fantastic, Rosliston Forestry Centre, 24/04/10

Tue, 27 April 2010

Visitors:                                               approx 200

Bulbs distributed:                                  350

TV PowerDowns distributed:                  120

Insulation referrals:                                5

 

CO2 saved (lifetime):                             80,672 kg

Retained economic benefit (lifetime):      £40,487

 

This was a busy sunny day in South Derbyshire at the Rosliston Forestry Centre. There were lots of activities for children and we were inundated with requests to use the energy bike. At one point there was a crowd of twenty children all waiting and competing on the bike to see who could light up the six low energy light bulbs. We even got caught up in a debate with a nine year old boy about what was better for the environment, watching TV or making paper aeroplanes.

 

There was lots of interest in the alternative bulbs that are now available and plenty of willingness to change over remaining non low energy bulbs. We spent a lot of time also discussing the most appropriate renewable technologies for homes in the area – there seems to be a great deal of interest especially in solar photovoltaics. One in depth discussion revealed that a family were spending £115 per week on LPG to heat their home. Suitable alternatives such as heat from wood or solar hot water were discussed and installers recommended.

 

We also had interest in insulation for homes. Five families signed up straight away and another four took contact details for the future.