Category: News
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Six Months to COP26
In the lead up to COP26 debates are intensifying over some key issues, some of which have rumbled on for over a decade, passing through and beyond COP21 in Paris more than five years ago. Explored in part in our website post Know your Net Zero from your NETs and BECCS, there is growing tension…
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Heat pump pros and cons
I remember as a student putting a shilling (2.5p) in the meter to run one bar of an electric fire for an hour to heat my single room. The heat was soon lost again due to poor insulation. I now live in a large house heated to a steady 21C by an air source heat…
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Tell DCE 2050 is too late
The consultation on the Interim Devon Carbon Plan closes on 15th February, writes John Watson. Please take the time to comment on the plan. In particular, tell the Devon Climate Emergency partnership (DCE) that a target date of 2050 for achieving carbon neutrality is much too late. The plan, put together by a specialist task force…
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I thought my diesel car would have to go
More than seven in 10 people in the UK are concerned about climate change, surveys show. Nearly half think it is caused mainly or entirely by human activity. This is good news: if enough people are convinced by the scientific evidence that we are the cause of the problem, there is hope that we can…
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Are you interested in retrofit?
In 2019 nearly 70% of Teignbridge’s existing housing stock had an EPC rating D and below. Despite the significant increase in new build, this % has changed little in the past 10 years and, in the last 2 years, has actually increased. Green-House Gas (GHG) emissions from heating our buildings are significant with Teignbridge’s domestic…
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Could you be a parish Wildlife Warden?
The ACT Ecology Group is looking for parish-based, volunteer Wildlife Wardens, writes Audrey Compton. They are needed to help support, protect and increase our district’s wildlife and improve its chances of surviving the ecological and climate emergencies we face. Wildlife Wardens need to love wildlife but don’t need specialist knowledge, we will provide training. Having…
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Why carbon intensity apps are greenwash
There is an app for almost everything. One that recently drew my attention is a carbon intensity app, which at first sight looks really helpful in alerting you to when you can put washing on or charge up batteries while the electricity grid in your area has low carbon emissions. Renewable energy is not yet…
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Local Plan consultation extended
Teignbridge District Council has extended the consultation period on its Local Plan, moving the closing date from 15th June to 13th July. The change has been made to give people more time to comment, given that face to face meetings are not currently possible. ACT encourages everyone to submit a response. Feel free to use…
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A burning issue for Dartmoor
I learned a new word recently, swaling, which is the West Country term for controlled burning of moorland. It comes up in the Dartmoor National Park Management Plan 2020-2045, and in ACT’s response to the consultation on the Plan. Swaling only gets two mentions in the Plan. The first notes that the Moorland Vision for…
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Coronavirus crisis: what comes next?
The coronavirus crisis has demonstrated our vulnerability but has also revealed our care, compassion and community spirit. The links we forge now in our communities will stand us in good stead for the work of pushing forward with climate action. It is essential to keep the climate emergency on the agenda. Of course, resources and…