Still too warm? Green strategies

It is just too warm - where is winter? Borage, roses, irises and more are flowering in the ward - hedgehogs are waking up too soon. Of course there are natural cycles in weather patterns but already the warmest years ever recorded are nearly all in the last few years....it was with these thoughts over the last couple of weeks that I've been writing a report to the Diocese and helping with another to SDC....

Photo: Hips in Randwick yesterday

Report to Diocese

I've finished comments on a draft of a report to Bishop’s Council : "Sustaining and Renewing the Earth" - it is currently being put together and should come out on March 6 2007 - I've made various recommendations - the Church is clearly in a wonderful position to influence and lead on climate change - it is exciting that they are now looking at these issues but my own feeling is that they need to be bolder.

To that end I put together various thoughts building lots on my previos Blog item on 26th August that had some suggestions re a poss Environment policy for Randwick Church. Clearly I'm not involved in the internal workings of the organisation so it is hard to make specific recommendations but important issues like education, targets, monitoring etc all need to be addressed. In my section, for example, on having specific targets I included suggestions like:

- Ensure all new housing developments in the Diocese are carbon-neutral by 2008 plus incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
- 100% of all churches recycling by 2008
- 80% of churches composting green and kitchen waste by 2008
- No polystyrene or plastic cup use by 2008
- All electricity purshased by the Diocese comes from a green energy company by 2008
- Use eco-cleaning products in 80% of churches by 2008
- End pesticides and fertilisers use in 70% of church yards by 2009 - these are high in fossil fuels to manufacture and damage the environment
- Increase the number of people walking and car sharing by ?
- No increase in non-permeable surfaces from 2008 ie no tarmaced carparks - use of permeable surfaces

These may need adjusting but it gives some tasters as to what might be possible.

SDCs Environment Strategy

Greens have once again met to look at the latest version of SDC's Environment policy - our comments can be found here. There are Scrutiny meetings to take this forward and we will be hoping to ensure the document is improved.

SDC received unprecedented levels of correspondence boosted by the good media coverage. There were nearly 500 submissions from local people, agencies and bodies. It was far more than expected - every idea received was recorded and the top 10 suggestions (or areas) were as follows:

1. Increasing the number of recyclable waste streams (eg cardboard)
2. Encouraging and supporting household recycling
3. The promotion of energy efficiency products and appliances (including within council properties)
4. Encourage businesses and Stroud District Council to reduce waste
5. Promotion & support (including planning policy) for sustainable transport (walking, cycling, public transport, rail and canal)
6. Facilities for commercial waste reuse and recycling (including waste exchange)
7. Planning policy – improving energy efficiency
8. A one-stop-shop for advice on energy efficiency and micro-generation (including alternative ways to accessing grant aid)
9. Promoting alternative vehicle fuel use generally (LPG, bio fuels) including council and contractors
10. Promotion and support (including planning policy) for community-led and appropriate industrial-scale renewable projects

It is wonderful that there is so much enthusiasm and interest locally - it is vital though that the changes made are the ones that bring the most benefits - it can be fun to do certain high-profile projects but ultimately we need to make cost-effective cuts to our emissions.