Top marks for Agnes Scott College (USA) conversation

We are pleased to report that an online Zoom session between Professor Roy Alexander and students from the Agnes Scott College, Georgia, USA got a big thumbs up from the participants.  Roy organised a 90-minute session with a presentation followed by Q&A. The students were forthcoming with questions and gave the chat a 100% 'Excellent' rating.  Here is a screenshotof the Zoom event on 10 March 2021.

Carbon Choices - the common sense solutions to our climate and nature crises

We think it is a good idea to highlight this book by geographer and energy specialist Neil Kitching. He has published Carbon Choices on the common-sense solutions to our climate and nature crises. Here Neil outlines five common-sense principles to tackle climate change and considers the community and social implications of the changes that are required.

In my book, I identify five common sense principles to tackle climate change:

1.  Be fair across current and future generations

2.  Price carbon pollution 

3.  Consume carefully, travel wisely

4.  Embrace efficiency, avoid waste

5.  Nurture nature

Community is a theme that runs across these.  Climate change can be tackled by governments, business or individuals; but communities can aggregate individual action to place pressure on, or support, action by government and business.

For example, when the

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Ashton Hayes Emergency Flood Relief Fund - HELP REQUESTED

Ashton Hayes suffered bad flooding last week and several families have had to leave their homes.  They are unlikely to be able to return for some months.

On top of COVID-19 this has been an additional blow that they could have done without.

At the request of residents Ashton Hayes and Horton cum Peel Parish Council has set up an emergency relief fund and we were hoping you could assist us by publicising it to all your social media channels, website, partnership channels and contacts through the energy company.

The link to pledge funds is https://www.spacehive.com/emergency-flooding-relief-fund

Any assistance you could give here would be extremely gratefully received. The quicker we can reach our target the earlier we can start helping those in need.

Paul Varey
Vice Chair Ashton Hayes and Horton cum Peel Parish Council

(Photo credit: Yvette Owen 20.1.21)

Timeline to mark our 15th anniversary

Our project was launched to the public on 26th January 2006 and since then we have met hundreds of communities, formed a village energy company and have enjoyed global media coverage. Steve Holland, with the support of RSK, has produced this timeline with some of our key moments. We plan to display this in Ashton Hayes once the COVID-19 crisis ends.

Ashton Hayes in UK-Finland podcast HEL-LO! Climate Calling

4 February 2021: Our project is featured in a new series of podcasts entitled HEL-LO! Climate Calling - a joint British-Finnish podcast that uncovers the world of climate diplomacy. What happens behind the scenes in global climate conferences? What do pub quizzes or Finnish footballer Teemu Pukki have to do with reducing global CO2 emissions?

The Embassy of Finland in London and the British Embassy in Helsinki joined forces to produce a four-part podcast series with episodes focusing on climate diplomacy, climate justice, cities & communities and circular economy. This podcast is your guide to truly understanding COP26, UN’s Climate Change Conference, due to take place in Glasgow in November 2021.

Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral is featured in the fourth and final episode that focuses on how small communities are making a difference to the big picture, with the mayor of the northern town of Ii, Ari Alatossava, and project founder, Garry Charnock.

Click for full details and press release