Our January Carbon Conversations groups are starting soon, but there is still time to book your place! Get in touch soon to find out more about finding your own, personal ways of cutting your carbon footprint.
Have you ever noticed the varied ways climate change is discusses in the media? If so, and you’d like to find out more about how media affects the way people view climate change and climate scientists, join us to hear Dr Rosie Robison talk about climate change in the media at Anglia Ruskin University on 22 January.
In January and February Cambridge hosts several opportunities to learn more about climate friendly food from different perspectives. We are organising a vegetarian cooking workshop on 17 January and a networking event for people interested or involved in local food on 12 February. Additionally, Sally Fenn, a CCF volunteer, is running a sustainable cooking course this January in Sawston. Now is a good time to learn to cook delicious, sustainable food!
Carbon Conversation Groups starting in January
We are pleased to announce that we have three new Carbon Conversation Groups starting in January!
Transition Cambridge group: this group is for people who are involved with Transition Cambridge and who subscribe to the Transition Cambridge bulletin
Venue: Hills Road near the rail station
North Cambridge: an open group running in the evenings in north Cambridge
Venue: CCF office (Milton Road near the Westbrook Centre)
Trumpington: following our successful Warm Homes Trumpington event we are running a local Carbon Conversation course for anyone interested in attending
Venue: Trumpington Pavilion, Paget Road
Carbon Conversations is a series of six engaging meetings in which participants address climate change in a different way, focusing on values, emotions, lifestyle and identity as well as the basic facts of carbon emissions.
To learn more about Carbon Conversations, or to join an upcoming group please email info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or phone 01223 301842.
“Chasing Ice” on again at the Arts Picturehouse
We are pleased that Cambridge Arts Picturehouse are again showing Chasing Ice from January 25th for a week. This is a prize-winning must-see documentary about climate change and we were delighted to be able to collaborate with The Arts Picturehouse and the British Antarctic Survey to bring Dr Ed King, an Anatarctic glaciologist for a Q&A session after a matinee of the film on December 15th. Dr King gave us a fascinating insight into the situation in Antarctica and held a rapt audience for nearly an hour before we had to leave before the next showing. The 100-seater cinema was completely full and people were turned away. (It was very gratifying that this showing of Chasing Ice was more popular than showings of The Hobbit and Great Expectations that day!) Do try to see this film if you can!
Grow Your Own Year Round Workshop 7 January
Monday 7 January, 7.30 – 9.30pm, Ann Dowcra Room, Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane
Whether you’re new to growing your own food, or a seasoned experimenter, this workshop led by expert grower Keith Jordan, is essential if you want to eat your own produce all year round. “Grow Your Own Year Round” will help you plan your garden and planting schedule so that you always have something from the garden to eat, no matter the season.
Space will be limited so please book ahead by emailing info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or calling us at 01223 301842. All materials will be provided.
Vegetarian Cooking Workshop: Veggie Burger Delight 16 January
Wednesday 16 January, 6.30 – 8.30pm, CCF office, Milton Rd
Learn how to make a variety of your own veggie burgers, such as black bean or falafel burgers with this hands-on workshop in January. Hosted by two vegetarian and vegan cooking experts, you’ll come away from the class with great new skills and recipes, especially if you’re new to vegetarian cooking.
Materials will be provided, and the workshops will take place at our office off Milton Road (for directions and map, see here). Donations are greatly appreciated to help cover costs (suggested £3-5/person).
This will be the first in an ongoing series of low-carbon cooking workshops, this workshop has 10 places available, so please email us at info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or call 01223 301842 to book. Please let us know if you have any particular allergies or intollerances in advance.
Thermal Imaging Training 17 January
Thursday 17 January, 7.30 – 9.30pm, CCF Office, Milton Rd
Concerned about high energy bills and heat loss in your home?
Join Cambridge Carbon Footprint for a free training session to learn how to use our thermal imaging camera. Participants will learn how to use the camera and more importantly, how to interpret the results! Once trained you’ll be able to borrow the camera to survey your own home (and those of others) so you can identify the best ways to improve insulation and airtightness. Better for the environment, and better for energy bills!
Thermal imaging is only available while the weather is chilly, so don’t delay! To book your place email or phone 01223 30184.
Climate Science in the Media: could it be done better, and how much does it matter? 22 January
Tuesday 22 January, 7.30 – 9.30pm, Lord Ashcroft Building (LAB) room 109, Anglia Ruskin University
A key route via which the public currently acquires climate science information is through the media. In 2011, a series of focus groups and a national opinion poll were conducted to assess the public’s reaction to climate science news articles and explore issues of trust in climate scientists. In this talk, Dr. Rosie Robison, Research Fellow at the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University will present the key findings of this important study, which gives interesting insights into how the public engages with climate change issues. Dr. Robison will also raise some wider questions about the differences (and similarities) between scientists’ and non-scientists’ attitudes to climate science.
This exciting talk isn’t until the 22nd of January but in the meantime you can whet your curiosity and see the report here. Please book a place for this talk, which you can do by emailing info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or calling 01223 301842.
Venue: Lord Ashcroft Building (LAB) room 109. Arrival either via the main entrance to ARU (on East Rd), and ask for directions, or come to the side entrance to the Lord Ashcroft Building on Broad St.
Sustainable Local Food Networking Night 12 February
Tuesday 12 February, 7.30 – 9pm, Emmanuel United Reform Church, Trumpington Street.
Are you someone contributing to sustainable local food, or looking to be more involved?
This is an evening especially for local food leaders, producers, distributors, shop owners, and volunteers to get to know each other better and make connections to strengthen Cambridge’s local food system.
Booking is required as space is limited. Email info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or call 01223 301842 to book.
Warm Homes in Trumpington: DIY workshop 19 February
Tuesday 19 February, 7.45 – 9pm, Trumpington Pavilion, Paget Road, CB2 9JF
One of the most popular parts of our successful Warm Homes in Trumpington day on November 10th was the DIY workshop by Tom Bragg, which focused on straightforward ways we can reduce our carbon emissions and energy bills ourselves, through simple things such as fitting foil behind radiators, lagging hot water pipes and fitting draught excluders. Tom has already been invited to run this hands-on workshop in other places and Trumpington residents who missed the day are keen to have another chance. Two of Tom’s handouts are available as downloads on our website for people who are unable to attend the workshop:
• Do it Yourself – low cost energy savings that you can do
• DIY checklist with sources
Because the workshop is very practical and interactive, numbers are limited, so book now to reserve your place. The workshop is free but a small donation to cover the cost of the hall hire would be appreciated. To book, email info@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org or phone 01223 301842.
Ro Randall: Will 2013 shift people’s indifference about climate change?
In December the Guardian asked me to write a short piece predicting what I thought 2013 might bring in regard to sustainability and business. My feeling is that we face a much more difficult situation than we did 3 years ago and that we need to examine what lies behind the feelings of indifference we encounter so strongly. You can read the full piece on the Guardian website.
New Sustainable Eating course January 2013
A new five-week course packed with ideas about eating more sustainably starts in January.
“Sustainable Eating: how to eat great food that won’t cost the earth” takes a lively, participative approach to the topic, with food to try!
Starts 14 January for five evenings, 7.30-9pm, at Sawston Village College. Cost: £35, concs available.
Course tutor is Sally Fenn, nutrition therapist, food writer, amateur veg grower and Cambridge Carbon Footprint volunteer.
To book, ring 01223 712424. To find out more, email sallyfenn1@googlemail.com
Trumpington Seedy Sunday 20 January
Sunday 20 January, 1.30 – 4pm, Trumpington Village Hall, Trumpington
Speakers and Films
The rise of F1 seeds: implications for growers and seedsavers
Valerie Muir – of Valerie’s Veggies and Plants
I am a retired medical pathologist and lifelong grower. I have had a small market garden near Bishops Stortford for 16 years, which is fully organic now for 7 years, Soil Association certified. I grow veg, fruit, nuts, herbs and garden plants all of which are for sale. I also teach organic gardening and growing. I love growing plants from seed and currently have a large productive apple tree grown from a ‘Discovery’ seed.
Seeds of Freedom – Film and discussion
Growzones and Permaculture designSeeds of Freedom highlights the story of seed – from its roots at the heart of traditional diversity-rich farming systems around the world, to the ways that seeds are being turned into a commodity and used to monopolise the global food system.
Pippa Vine – Transition Cambridge will talk about how her garden has developed since she participated in Growzones in 2010 and the benefits of Permaculture design.
Stalls
- Demonstration on how to chit seeds that you have taken to check viability
- Discussion about setting up a seed circle
- Seed exchange – if you have no seeds to exchange don’t worry there are always plenty for all. A small donation will be welcome.
- Heritage Seed for sale – from Thomas Etty Heritage Seed Merchant
- Heritage Seed Library seeds and information by donation – from the Heritage Seed Library
- Stalls – Transition Cambridge Food Group and Permaculture Group
- Cambake, artisan made seeded bread to take home
- Tea and cakes – by Trumpington W.I.
If you have seeds you have saved or packets you are unable to use please bring them but this is not essential.
Entry fee £1.50 — children free
Contact: email us or call Ceri Galloway C. 840602 or Susanna Colaco C. 841870.
More information and directions here!
Come along to help make it even better than Trumpington Seedy Sunday 2012
This annual event is organised by Trumpington Allotment Society with help from Transition Cambridge.
Cyclestreets at Green Enterprise 28 January
Monday 28 January, 7.30 – 9.30pm, Friends Meeting House, 12 Jesus Lane
CycleStreets is the UK’s best cycle journey planner, designed by cyclists for cyclists. Having started as a journey planner launched by Cambridge Cycling Campaign in 2006, its now acclaimed nationwide and run as a not-for profit company. Martin will share CycleStreets’ story and the latest developments. It will be particularly interesting to hear how they encourage and manage the many volunteers involved, while also developing a professional service that’s getting increasing commercial interest..
As usual in Green-enterprise events, the evening will be participative and will include plenty of time for discussion with the speaker and other participants
Cost £5