News from your dutiful reporter in Oxford ;) --
Tonight saw the launch of COIN's Climate Groups - locally-based community projects to get people really thinking about how they can practically address the issue of climate change in their everyday lives.
A packed meeting hall buzzed with the warmth and good humour of over 40 ecological Oxfordians - and there were even some familiar faces from CCC, including Jo, Jon Essex, and Dave Tonderai (was good to see you guys :)), testament to the interest generated by this venture. The use of hand-cymbals to call for attention, and the general composure of the introductory speeches, lent a slight Buddhist atmosphere to the event. But as the gathering split up into discussion groups - each coalescing around topics like 'Carbon Rationing', 'Street Theatre and raising public awareness', and 'Households and lifestyles' - it became clear this would be no mere therapeutic exercise.
David and I were both in the Carbon Rationing group, discussing with others about implementing a practical scheme in the locality. Andy Ross's pilot scheme was much-discussed (thanks Andy! - see the other forum topic on 'ideas for a local carbon rationing scheme'). Enthusiasm was plentiful and the group is set to meet again in a month after researching the practicalities further. So, I and others shall no doubt be waiting with baited breath for development on the Midlands scheme, to get tips on development...
The groups fed back to the whole gathering after an hour's discussion - it's clear that there's much will in the Oxford area to get practical action of some sort (any sort!) underway. This is both encouraging, and, of course - given the scale of the tasks we face -daunting. But we hope that actually doing something, - whether that be showing concrete action in implementing household cuts in CO2, or writing a letter to the council, - will empower and inspire others to follow. We'll keep you updated.
[P.S. Can anyone update us on how the Stop Climate Chaos convening meeting went earlier this week? And was there the European Social Forum event recently too? Just a quick post would be informative.]
