News

Several websites have come to my notice in the last week that have a real bearing on what we could do to reduce Abingdon's carbon footprint. It seems there are people out there who have done a lot of the legwork. I would really appreciate if you could find time to look at one or two of these and give us some feedback!

First up is Ashton Hayes, who made a decision to aspire to be "the UK's first carbon-neutral village". They have had funding to help spread the word to others, so they are very professional! The main website is http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/ and the advice for other communities is at http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/getting-your-project-off-the-g/
I will request a DVD from them for the group.

Secondly there is Chester, whose plan, Vision 2050, has undergone academic review and (but?) is very well written. They wrote: A group of us in Chester wrote this document for the new unity council here. It outlines a low carbon vision for 2050 and lays out how the council, communities and business can start to work together to get there. We'd like it to be used as far and wide as possible as the majority of it can be used elsewhere. Please send it to councils, communities, business, anyone you think may be able to use it. http://www.chester.gov.uk/pdf/Vision2050.pdf

Thirdly there is Blewbury Energy Initiative just down the road from Abingdon, who are a small group who have a very comprehensive webshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifite: http://www.blewbury.co.uk/energy/energy.htm

Fouthly there is Goring and Streatley Sustainability Group http://www.gssg.org.uk/ who have donw a lot of the legwork on the feasibility of getting electricity from the Thames - with a nice picture of how their hydro-electric scheme will look - a giant Archimedes screw! If they can do it, so can we....

So get surfing and let us know your thoughts - either to me or on the blog - http://carboncutters.blogspot.com . But please don't just suggest something for other people to do - if you think something should be done, offer to get involved in making it happen!

All these ideas will be thrown around at our AGM on Wednesday July 15th, 7.30pm at St Ethelwolds House, 30 East St Helen Street, OX14 5EB

See you then.
Sally