News

Waitrose Christmas glitter ban, plastic bottle made from captured carbon, Leicester's e-bike hire scheme, and more...

Fri, 6 November 2020

National and International News (November 2020):

  • After a three year delay, US formally withdraws from Paris agreement on 4th November: 
    https://bbc.in/3exDx9
  • Morrisons, Waitrose and John Lewis ban glitter in own-brand Christmas products this year: 
    https://bbc.in/34THSka  
     
  • I Dig Trees 2020/2021 - Free trees available in mainland UK: 
    https://bit.ly/32eZ7ui  
  • L'Oreal unveils 'world's first' plastic bottles made from captured carbon:
    https://bit.ly/32g97DJ
     
  • 'Climate Pledge Friendly' - Amazon launches 'eco-friendly' shopping platform:
    https://bit.ly/2JtK4X
     
  • Largest docked e-bike hire scheme in the UK launching next Spring in Leicester City
    https://bit.ly/2HZIV9E
     
  • Job Opportunity: Leicester City Council is seeking an Operations Climate Change manager to deliver the authority’s operational response to the climate emergency. Applications close Sunday 15th November: 
    https://bit.ly/3kWrCEF

 

My World My Home | New Climate Leadership Programme

Fri, 6 November 2020

My World My Home is a prestigious climate leadership development programme for young people, in association with Friends of the Earth and SOS-UK. 

Over the course of a year, young people will plan and organise a local community environment campaign. They will learn how to make positive changes happen, build their confidence in public speaking, and meet other like-minded young people. Participants will also receive one-to-one tuition and coaching fortnightly.

In East Midlands, you can take part if you are a current student at one of these colleges:  

  • Nottingham City College
  • Derby College
  • West Nottinghamshire College

Please email hannah.evans@foe.co.uk

If there is demand, they will be expanding to other colleges. If your college is not listed, you can ask them express interest at:
laura.mcfarlane-shopes@foe.co.uk. 

https://bit.ly/2I6WLqH

Micro Car Clubs | Changing Car Use Surveys

Fri, 6 November 2020

As part of a European project, MaaS4EU, Hayfield Sustainable Transport Ltd (HSTL) has been working with people in Hayfield and New Mills to set up ‘Micro Car Clubs’. This involves two or more households sharing a car. So far, Micro Car Clubs have involved households that already know each other.

In response to Covid-19, many people are changing the way they travel. Could cars that are now used less be shared with people who are now driving more? 

HSTL have produced two surveys - one for employees and one for employers - to help identify people who might have compatible need for a car. These surveys are a resource which can be used by organisations that want to help people set up shared car schemes. They work best when focused on people who live in the same area.

Here are the links to the two surveys:

For more details, please contact Roland Strube:

roland@hstl.org.uk
07787 950629

Transition Chesterfield | Potato Day 2021

Fri, 6 November 2020

Get ready to plant some seeds in the new year and start growing your own food!  Potato Day is an annual volunteer - run event, now in its 13th year, where Transition Chesterfield provide different varieties of seed potatoes, alliums and legumes for growers. 

Due to restrictions this year, they are only offering a reduced selection of seeds based on last year's best sellers by pre-order only. Pre - orders will close on Friday 4th December.

Pre - orders will need to be collected on Saturday 30th January in Chesterfield. Orders from the Loughborough area will have their own collection point notified by Transition Loughborough.

As always, volunteers are needed. If you would like to help, please email 
spud@potatoday.org.uk.

For more information and/or to pre-order: https://bit.ly/35N6J8j    

Community Share Offer: Torrs Hydro New Mills Ltd

Fri, 6 November 2020

Torrs Hydro New Mills Ltd, the country’s first community-owned and funded hydro-electric scheme, is seeking to raise £25,000 in community share investment to make significant modifications to the plant to improve its energy output.  

The proposed modifications will allow the plant to operate when the river levels are more extreme. With this newer technology, the plant is expected to produce around 30% more energy per year.

This is a great opportunity for more local people to become involved in the project. The community share offer document will be available from early November.

Applications will close on Friday 11th December at 11.59pm.

To be added to the mailing list for further information about this, email secretary@torrshydro.org, or call 01663 747603.