Cambridge Carbon Footprint’s Eating Local food group has created an interactive map and listing of local food producers and retailers in and around Cambridge. The guide provides an overview of what local products are available where, as well as other helpful information, such as contact details, opening hours and a link to the producer/retailers’ own websites. Click here to view the guide.
Don’t miss the showing of the brilliant film The Story of Stuff on Wednesday – even if you saw it when it first came out, it is well worth another viewing, as it is so powerful and information-packed, and we are using it as a basis for a discussion on what we can do to cut back on the consumption that dominates the lives of so many of us in the west. Let us know you are coming if you can, but it’s also okay to turn up on the night!
1. Join Carbon Conversations!
Two Carbon Conversations groups are starting after Easter:
One, open to all, will be on Hills Rd.
The other, especially for CCF volunteers, will be at our Milton Rd office.
Both groups are on Wednesdays, 7.30 to 9.30pm, on: 18th April, 2nd, 16th & 30th May and 13th June (date for the 6th, final meeting TBD)
To join, please contact Mary Geddes: mary@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or 01223 301842.
2. Delivering a good plug for recycling!
Thursday 15 – Saturday 17 March, 7.30am – 3.30pm, University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Site Car Park, Sidgwick Avenue
Businesses, residents and organisations in Cambridge are being urged to recycle their broken electronics at this three-day event. All types of business and household electronic waste will be accepted for free and staff will be on hand to help with unloading.
The event is being hosted by European Recycling Platform (ERP), Cambridge City Council, the University of Cambridge, and Love Cambridge as part of a drive to increase the amount of electronic waste that is recycled.
Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. More than one million tonnes of electronic goods are sold every year, but only around a third is recycled. The materials used to make electronic goods are valuable and can be used to make new products. For example, the plastic from a computer keyboard could end up in a new musical instrument, the gold from a mobile phone could be made into jewellery, and an iron contains enough steel to produce 13 steel cans. Recycling protects the environment and stops e-waste going to landfill. Currently, UK recycling is estimated to save more than 18 million tonnes of CO2 a year – the equivalent of taking 5 million cars off the road!
3. Story of Stuff – The Next Chapter 14 March
Wednesday 14 March, 7.30 – 9pm, Friends Meeting House
The Story of Stuff is one of the most watched environmental-themed online film of all time. It is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.
CCF will be screening this film, then facilitating a discussion on what will be the next chapter for each of us in our own “stuff stories.” We’ll tackle the issue of whether we can live well (or better!) with fewer material goods and how one goes about doing that in a consumption-saturated society.
This event will coincide with the start of our “Living Well with Less Stuff” blog, following in the steps of our successful “Eating Local” and “Eating Well on a Budget” blogs. Each participant will be taking on a personal consumption challenge that suits him or her and potentially blogging about it for CCF (that part is optional but quite fun!). If you’re interested in taking on a personal Living Well with Less challenge, don’t miss this event!
We’d appreciate it if you booked ahead as space is limited. Email the office or call 01223 301842.
4. Talking About Climate Change 21 March
Wednesday 21 March, 7.30 – 9.30pm, Cambridge Carbon Footprint, Future Business, Milton Rd
Cambridge Carbon Footprint has a unique approach to personal decision-making about carbon reduction. We use group work and conversations at stalls to explore and share the challenges of making sustained and sustainable behaviour change.
In this interactive workshop we will explore some key ideas, and invite discussion around common mechanisms such as making excuses or not getting around to implementing plans:
- Feeling bad about your flying but not stopping taking flights
- Noticing conflicting values and feelings such as believing in re-use and recycling but buying items new
- Wanting to buy local food, yet yearning for ‘treats’ such as pineapples or Kenyan beans
- Recycling bin loads of paper rather than making use of it in the home
Come and add your own ideas and dilemmas!
Penny Henderson has over 30 years’ experience as a counsellor and group worker. She is a facilitator and a trainer of facilitators for Carbon Conversations.
Places limited to 20. Booking essential, by emailing the office:info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org
5. Breaking Habits – ‘Going for Green!’ interactive stall and workshop 24 March
Saturday 24 March, 1 – 5pm, Cambridge Science Festival
Visit our interactive stall at the Cambridge Science Festival. Hands-on activities for all the family including calculating your carbon footprint, colouring your carbon footprint, and upcycling some tetrapacks into fun wallets. Also, find out more about Carbon Conversations and the Climate Friendly Homes Project. We’ll be in the Physics Zone from 1 to 5pm.
Between 3pm to 4pm we’ll be running a Carbon Conversations taster session nearby, so if you’re curious to find out more but don’t want to commit to a 6-week course, this is the workshop for you!
View the entire Cambridge Science Festival programme here. Workshop, Ages 18+, To pre-book tel: 01223 659962 or email: info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org
6. The Sharing Economy – An Introduction to Collaborative Consumption 12 April
Thursday 12 April, 7.30 – 9.30pm, St. Andrew’s Hall, St Andrew’s Rd
Could something as simple as sharing be a key remedy to hyper consumption and waste while building community at the same time? As the authors of “What’s Mine is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption” argue, traditional sharing, bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting and swapping, redefined through technology and peer communities, is transforming business, consumerism and the way we live. Join us for this exciting evening that includes guests from Zipcar, Life is a Gift, and more, to find out what exactly this powerful emerging economic force is, how it’s being applied in Cambridge and how you can be a vital part of it.
Space is limited so please save your place by booking ahead:info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or 01223 659962.
7. Plant, Grow, Eat: An Introduction to Growing Your Own 18 April
Wednesday 18 April, 7.30 – 9.30pm, Ross Street Community Centre, Ross Street
If you’ve never grown your own food but would like to start this year, this is the workshop for you! Join expert grower Keith Jordan in this workshop that will teach you what will grow best in your particular space – no matter what that space is and tips on how to do it. You’ll come away from the workshop with a plan for your new garden, allotment or patio filled with containers and growbags, plus, ideas for what food crops will best suit both your kitchen and your plot.
Growing your own has never been more hip, fun or important! Don’t delay, book today!
Limited to 15 people! Email the office or call 01223 301842 to reserve a place.
8. Carbon Conversations Facilitator Training 21 April
Saturday 21 April, 10am – 4pm, Ross St Community Centre, Ross St
Are you enthusiastic about Carbon Conversations? Would you like to co-facilitate a group of your own? Or maybe you’re an existing facilitator and want to improve your skills?
Penny Henderson and Liz Serocold will be running this one-day facilitator training for those who have already taken part in a Carbon Conversations group.
Numbers limited to 10, booking essential. Contact Mary to book, or for further information.
Cost: free to Cambridge residents, £40 to others (we can usually provide somewhere to stay for anyone coming from afar).
9. Eco-Renovation in Progress 23 April
23 April, 7.30 – 9.30pm, off Histon Road
Following on the success and high demand of our Eco-Renovation in Progress tour in January on Hills Road, we’re offering a new Eco-Renovation Tour in north Cambridge off the Histon Road.
This is an exciting opportunity to go round 1930′s house with Anne Cooper of award-winning AC Architects Cambridge Ltd, who specialise in sustainable architecture. Anne will do an initial appraisal of the house and offer recommendations for making it more energy-efficient, taking into account the need to conserve original features.
While Anne will look at the larger picture, Martin Roach, who has a great deal of experience in DIY energy efficiency, will look at the smaller jobs that can be done straightaway.
The session will last two hours. After an introduction by Anne, the group will split into two, with Anne and Martin each taking a party round the house. The groups will then change over, giving everyone a chance to look at the house from both points of view. The owners will be on hand to answer questions and discuss what has been done already.
Booking is essential for this, as the house cannot accommodate more than 20 people! Email the office to book. We will give you the exact address upon booking. In the meantime you can check out the owner’s blog.
10. Annual General Meeting 25 April
Wednesday 25 April, 7.30 – 9.30pm, The Octogon Room, Wesley Methodist Church
It’s been a lively and challenging year for Cambridge Carbon Footprint: there’s a good buzz with lots of volunteer enthusiasm. We’ll follow the AGM with a meeting to discuss our successes and challenges – and how best to develop the charity further. We hope you can come and contribute your views over a cup of tea and slice of cake
Parking: Nearest car parks are at the Grafton Centre or Jesus Lane. On street parking is fairly easy in the evenings in King St and Jesus Lane.
11. Renewables versus fossil fuels: the global clean energy revolution 16 March
Friday 16 March, 5.15pm, LAB 003, Anglia Ruskin University, East Rd
Charles Perry of SecondNature (www.secondnaturepartnership.com) will give a lecture on
“Renewables versus fossil fuels: the global clean energy revolution”
Dr Julian Huppert MP will respond, event hosted by Professor Michael Thorne Vice Chancellor
Convened by: Sustainability Society, GRLI Ambassadors, University Chaplaincy, Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Global Sustainability Institute
For more information please contact Nigel Cooper, 0845 196 2398.
12. Global Sustainability Institute lunchtime seminar 19 March
Monday 19 March, 1pm, Coslett 408, Anglia Ruskin University, East Rd
Erica Thompson, from Imperial College London, and Emma Boland, from the University of Cambridge will debate:
“So how useful are climate models anyway?”
*Lunch will be provided*, please arrive around 12:45 if possible, so we can start the seminar promptly at 1.
No booking necessary, but if you would like to confirm your attendance or get any more information, please contact Rosie Robison, 0845 196 5107.
13. Transition cafe: Co-housing and the K1 project in Cambridge 22 March
Thursday 22 March, 7.30 – 9pm, CB1 Cafe, Mill Road
Ever thought about designing and building your own home? On your own it can seem a bit daunting. But working co-operatively with other like-minded people under the guidance of a team of professionals it seems doable. K1 is a new self-commissioning opportunity at Orchard Park, Cambridge. Around 40 householders will come together to shape their own homes and community. They’ll be supported and guided through the next 18 months design and build process. K1 provides the chance for residents to create their own high standards in sustainable living and create unique indoor and outdoor community spaces. Adam Broadway will be at the Transition Cafe on Thursday 22nd March to explain and answer questions. For more information about K1, see their website here.
Monday 26 March, 7.30 – 9.30pm, Friends Meeting House, 12 Jesus Lane
Duncan Catchpole, founder of Cambridge Organic Food Company will share the story of the Cambridge Organic Food Company and discuss some of the challenges they’ve faced in developing a thriving organic box scheme. As they are at the heart of the local organic community and work with a wide range of local and organic suppliers, he is extremely knowledgeable about the issues involved in local organic food.
This will be a fascinating evening for anyone interested in good food and the wider issue of how a community can feed itself sustainably and well.
15. Eco-refurbishment and The Green Deal 30 March
Friday 30 March, 9am, SmartLIFE Low Carbon Centre, Cambridge Regional College, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge, CB4 2QT
Are you…
concerned about how your business can survive in the economic downturn?
realising that there is potential work in the domestic refurbishment sector now that people cannot afford to move home?
wanting to meet a growing demand for eco-refurbishment advice and services but currently lack the information and know-how?
The Green Register’s fascinating training course, based around actual case studies, is designed to provide all the information construction professionals need to advise their clients on sustainable refurbishment of their homes.
Additionally the seminar will cover details of the Government’s new scheme to encourage eco-retrofits – The Green Deal – to be introduced in October 2012. The Green Deal is a financial mechanism to pay up front for energy efficient improvements to homes and businesses, recouping the costs by a charge in instalments on consumers’ energy bills.
Participants will be registered on The Green Register’s website under an ‘Eco-Refurbisher’ listing, designed to easily identify them to new clients. This course has been held nine times already in locations such as in Bristol, Manchester and London and regularly sells out so do book early to avoid disappointment!
Special discounted rate for GHA members: £84
To take advantage of this special offer please email mail@greenregister.org.uk
Members – £69.00
Non-Members – £99.00
16. Permaculture Gardening weekend course in Trumpington 28-29 April
Saturday – Sunday 28-29 April, 9.30am – 5.30pm, Trumpington
Spring is coming – does your plot need sorting out?
Join us to learn how permaculture can be applied to create beautiful, productive and wildlife-friendly gardens. The weekend will combine practical techniques, hands-on sessions, observation and exploration of design principles. Course tutor Chris Evans has been designing and creating permaculture gardens for 20 years. He has particular expertise in forest gardening and polyculture vegetables. There will be an opportunity to visit local urban-edge projects – a community orchard, a large and flourishing allotment site and a chicken co-op. The cost is £85 (£65 unwaged). There’s a limited number of spaces, so please book soon.
More info and booking form at www.transitioncambridge.org/permaculture
