Energy group meeting notes (06.07.2023) The next regular meeting will be on Thursday 03 August 2023 at 16:30 – 18:00 (and every 4 weeks thereafter). This will be by zoom.Only a few attended this session, but lots of topics raised/sent in, we managed to discuss a few. Heat Pump (HP) Case Study: The detailed data sent… Read More…Event on the Water Quality in Teignbridge We had a successful event on Monday the 26th of June, the speakers were great and the audience asked very good questions. Our speakers were: Anna Seal (West Country Rivers Trusts), David Leach and Rachel Land (Peatland Restoration Project), Emma Magee (Environment Agency), Louise Davies (River Teign Restoration Project) wasn’t… Read More…
Energy Group meeting notes (8th June 2023) The next regular zoom meeting will be on Thursday 6th July 2023 at 16:30 – 18:00 (and every 4 weeks thereafter).We started by discussing one of the attendee’s experience with their Heat Pump. Much of the energy consumption before and after conversion from mains gas was recorded. This represents an important… Read More…
Carbon Cutters Newsletter April 2023 Hello fellow Carbon Cutters, I’m Scott Williams , your new coordinator, and I’m here to help. Firstly a bit about me. I’ve been aware of the problems created by our burning of greenhouse gases for some time, since the call to ban CFCs, and have been trying to reduce my carbon and… Read More…
ACT Newsletter February 2023 Welcome! It’s been a while since we updated you on ACT’s activities. That’s because we’ve been busy running our existing projects and setting up new ones. We’re sure there’s lots more we could do with your help, and we’re compiling a list of the skills, roles and support we need… Read More…
Wildlife Wardens gather to celebrate and say farewell to Flavio Teignbridge Wildlife Wardens enjoyed their first Big Gathering on January 29th, as 50 of the 100 plus team of wardens came together in the Teign Valley, writes Scott Williams. They convened at Oxen Park Farm, Higher Ashton, on a cold Saturday morning. The venue is the location for Teign Greens,… Read More…
Draft Local Plan open to comment Teignbridge District Council’s draft Local Plan is open for comment until noon on Monday March 13th. The plan details ‘how’ and ‘where’ proposed new housing and employment related development will take place in the district until 2040. It includes site allocations for housing, employment and wind turbines. The sites included… Read More…
How to look after the watts The bill payer running around the house screaming at teenagers to ‘turn that light out’ was a sit com staple in the 1980’s, but with electricity bills going through the roof it is no longer a subject for cheap jokes. Before you start looking at turning off everything in your… Read More…
ACT: three years and counting! On April 18th 2019, Audrey Compton was standing outside Forde House, the home of Teignbridge District Council (TDC), with a group of people holding banners. They were there to lobby the council to pass the climate emergency declaration proposal put forward by Councillor Jackie Hook. “We really didn’t think it… Read More…
Support conversion not demolition of Bradley Lane Friday 8th October saw the public release of the planning application for Bradley Lane in Newton Abbot (22/01500/MAJ), writes ACT Wildlife Warden Eloise Rokirilov. Long pending, starting at 171 documents and growing, the expiry date for comments remains at 4th November. The application calls for wholesale demolition of all the… Read More…
Power Allotments Devon On Tuesday 13th September I attended a webinar to introduce Power Allotments Devon along with colleagues from TECs. This Devon wide project hopes to encourage local communities to build, own and benefit from their own renewable energy power station projects across Devon, creating spaces for biodiversity net gain and generating… Read More…
ACT experience filled me with hope I have just completed a summer placement with ACT and my experience has filled me with hope, writes Finlay Heppell. It was a great learning opportunity for me and I met many knowledgeable and passionate people who all share the same goal of tackling the climate crisis in Teignbridge. Finlay… Read More…
The day the well ran dry On Wednesday 20th July our water stopped running: after providing our farm with running water for 36 years our well was dry. For us this was serious and scary. We were already being careful with our water use as it has been dry since the New Year. But then, suddenly,… Read More…Electricity should be renewable and as local as possible This post considers the proposition that most energy could be generated from renewables near to where it is needed. This article starts with a brief history of the electricity network, which reminds us that its origins were local in nature, and of how the grid evolved. History of the electricity… Read More…
Why are electricity prices rising? We examine the reasons behind the dramatic rises in electricity prices following the unprecedented rises in fossil fuel prices, and why reductions in renewable prices have had no effect. Read More…
Council’s carbon reduction targets won’t do the job Following its Climate Emergency declaration three years ago, Teignbridge District Council has published and adopted Part 1 of its Climate Action Plan. Part 2 is expected later this year. Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) welcomes the long-awaited plan, believing it is an essential first step in delivering on the… Read More…
July 2022 Newsletter Here is our July newsletter. Topics covered: The HeatwaveACT gathering of members, families & friends – 1 OctoberParliamentary climate change briefingACT Carbon CuttersTeignbridge District Council’s Carbon Action PlanUK’s Net Zero Strategy deemed unlawfulGovernment releases “Jet Zero” strategyCarbon Dioxide Removals (update)Progress, or not, on NatureOther stuff Please feel free to send us any feedback… Read More…
April 2022 Newsletter Hi Everyone Here is our April newsletter. It’s created as a Google document so please let us know if you have any difficulties accessing or reading it and, if you’d rather have a PDF version, please use the File menu to download one. Topics covered: Calling all Carbon CuttersAm I doing enough about… Read More…
Economic growth measure fails on green front The UK economy shrank by 9% in 2020 but bounced back in 2021, growing by 7.5%. This year, it is expected to grow by 3.6%. These numbers matter a lot to the government, but there is increasing debate about how relevant they are to setting economic policies to tackle the… Read More…
Am I doing enough about climate change? I counted at least 10 articles on climate change in one recent edition of the local paper, writes Amanda Cole. And that was without including those that referred to climate change within a wider piece. This suggests we really don’t need any more information about climate change and the devastating… Read More…
IPCC Working Group lll report on mitigation of climate change António Guterres Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels. Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness. Christiana Figueres The IPCC report tells us we are on a suicidal path.… Read More…
Call for new approach to measure progress towards net zero The Environmental Audit Committee has written to both the Chancellor and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to ask for estimates of greenhouse gas emissions to be published alongside GDP figures to indicate whether economic growth and slashing emissions can be achieved together. This follows the committee’s inquiries in February… Read More…
New carbon cutting project Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) has started a new community-based carbon cutting project designed to promote activities within Teignbridge that can actively help people to reduce their carbon footprint. ACT has appointed Peta Howell to coordinate this project and recruit volunteer Carbon Cutters, as well as collaborate with other… Read More…
We need more renewable energy and a new pricing system The jolting rise in the price of energy should help focus minds on the urgent need to speed up the transition to renewable energy sources. We need to make that switch to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it would be good if it also helped reduce and stabilise energy prices. … Read More…
Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry on Aligning the UK’s economic goals with environmental sustainability: Part 2 – 2 March 2022 Following Part 1 of the enquiry this part questioned witnesses on how environmental sustainability could be incorporated better into the economic measurements that guide Government policy. The full inquiry of over an hour can be viewed on parliamentlive.tv however we have separated out the following clips covering the discussions around… Read More…
February 2022 Newsletter Hello Everyone Here is our February Newsletter covering the following topics: Cutting carbon emissions: a new district-wide climate project. Liaison meeting presentations. Environmental & social health v Economic development. The Home Energy Saving Forum – Sustainable Dawlish event. Keeping the public informed and/or confused. Did you know? (hopefully not). Please feel free… Read More…
Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry on Aligning the UK’s economic goals with environmental sustainability: Part 1 – 9 Feb 2022 A fascinating in depth inquiry into how government policy could move away from GDP as the prime measure of national prosperity to encompass other, more meaningful, measures for social and environmental wellbeing and to consider issues such as a post-growth world, non-monetary capital and inequality. The remit of the Environmental… Read More…
Cutting carbon emissions: a new district-wide climate project Teignbridge is a beautiful district to live in – but, like the rest of the world, it is part of the climate problem, but also, part of the solution! There are so many people worrying about the crisis – so many communities that would like to help reduce climate change… Read More…ACT’s response to Part 3 of the Local Plan consultation Teignbridge District Council’s current Local Plan, which runs from 2013-2033, is being revised and extended to cover the period 2020-2040. Part 1, which specifies the policies associated with new developments including renewable energy, was consulted on in 2020. The result of the consultation and any changes coming out of it are… Read More…
December 2021 Newsletter Here is our last Newsletter of 2021 covering the following topics: COP26. Teignbridge District Council’s consultation on renewable energy. Beach Labyrinth. Don’t Look Up – the Netflix movie. ACT Wildlife Wardens. House of commons – Wellbeing Economy debate. Teignbridge Newsletters. With much fear, anxiety and frustration about it’s important to… Read More…
Responding to part 3 of the local plan consultation- sites for renewable energy ACT plans to respond to the wind and solar energy section of TDC’s third part of its consultation on the local plan. We encourage you to do the same. To find out more about these proposals, how to respond and how to share your views Read More…
COP26: Mission accomplished? There are differing opinions on whether Cop26, the climate conference held in Glasgow last month, was a success or failure. There was progress on some areas and an agreement was signed, but there is little expectation the governments that signed it will take the action necessary to keep global warming… Read More…
COP26 unplugged In the lead up to, and through, the COP fortnight media and politicians were alive with all things environmental with speeches emphasising the “last chance” to make a difference but, as with any Wimbledon fortnight, it wasn’t long before attention returned to other matters. Many attendees, especially those from poorer… Read More…
Beach labyrinth reflections Around 100 people walked the labyrinth created on Teignmouth Beach last weekend for the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice. Plenty more watched the walkers from the promenade. The construction effort, directed by labyrinth artist Andrew Nicholson, was tough work as the chosen location, below the lighthouse, was particularly… Read More…
Wildlife Warden Podcast Episode 7 In this podcast Emily Marbaix updates us on what wildlife wardens have been up to, reminds us of autumn jobs to do in the garden, especially those that help wildlife, and takes a look at the eco-friendliness (or not) of our pets, including what we feed them and the flea… Read More…
October 2021 Newsletter Here is this month’s Newsletter dominated by two COPs, ie one more than you’ll see in the news. These and other topics covered are: Devon-wide Retrofit survey. COP26 is almost upon us. The Convention on Biological Diversity and COP15. A joint approach to Climate & Ecology. The Devon Climate Assembly Report. ACT Wildlife… Read More…
How to farm sustainably Peter French threw open his farm to a group of nearly 40 visitors last week (12th October) to share his ideas on how local farmers can adapt to the changing conditions they face. Peter farms 280 hectares (700 acres) near Stokenteignhead and is working to reduce his farm’s carbon footprint.… Read More…
Local teenager on a mission to COP26 Newton Abbot resident Jessie Stevens is heading to Glasgow for the COP26 summit in November, and plans to pedal the whole 570 miles! She will be cycling under the banner of the People Pedal Power mission she has created. This aims to inspire people (particularly young people) to join her… Read More…
Electric cars line up in Newton Abbot Newton Abbot’s first electric vehicle (EV) roadshow held on 25th September was well attended, with lots of people stopping to chat to members of the South West EV Owners Group and others who had brought their cars along. The event, organised by Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) and ChargeWorks,… Read More…
Wildlife Warden September Newsletter This month’s newsletter covers a talk on Cirl Buntings by Cath Jeffs, a conservation officer with the RSPB; information about upcoming webinars; the Great Big Green Week events held in Dawlish and Newton Abbot; plus a summary of the projects Wildlife Wardens have taken on around the district. Read More…
September 2021 Newsletter After a Summer break a bumper September Newsletter is now ready and waiting covering the following topics: The Great Big Green Week 18-26 September. The IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report. Lottery funding for communities to take action on climate change. Air Pollution. ACT Wildlife Wardens. The Fossil Fuel industry’s hidden failsafe.… Read More…
Why are climate and nature getting the short straw with government spending? 1. Introduction When considering how to mitigate the effects of the climate and nature emergency, or what has to be done to adapt to the effects we can’t mitigate sufficiently, the talk will mostly involve a myriad of practical things like switching to renewable energy, electrifying transport, changing the way… Read More…
Why are climate and nature getting the short straw with government spending? 2. The banks, the government, and that Money Tree Back in the late 1970s, after qualifying as an accountant, I went to work for a large city practice. I was told by those who had experience of them that, if I valued my will to live, I should avoid bank… Read More…
Why are climate and nature getting the short straw with government spending? 3. The mythical government purse Back in the 1970s & 80s, my prime function as an accountant revolved around the concept that tax was an overhead not an obligation and so, according to clients and my bosses, it was my job to keep their tax bills as low as possible.… Read More…
Why are climate and nature getting the short straw with government spending? 4. Government “borrowing” As an accountant I was reasonably cautious in advising clients over their finances, but was anything but cautious with my own. I spent several years accumulating maximum balances on credit cards and overdrafts only to resort to what were known as “consolidation loans” in which various banks… Read More…
Why are climate and nature getting the short straw with government spending? 5. So what is Quantitative Easing (QE)? Before describing the process, whilst MMT sees QE through a different lens, proponents of MMT are not generally in favour of it. As mentioned above, before 1971, the quantity of pounds the government could put into circulation was limited. This was because, following… Read More…Why are climate and nature getting the short straw with government spending? 6. Further reading Banks really are magic money trees – an article by Positive Money TED talk by Stephanie Kelton – on deficits not being a problem under MMT Power of the Pound – a video explaining the concept of MMT for the UK Government debt and Covid 19 -… Read More…
Wildlife Warden Podcast Episode 6 Read or listen to Emily Marbaix’s latest podcast, in which she talks about how to create a wildflower meadow, the future for beavers in England, and what we can do individually to combat climate change and species loss. Read More…
An economy for climate & nature More often than not, when discussing what needs to be done about the climate-nature emergency, thoughts turn to practical issues around reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other impacts we have on the natural world. If we are lucky, and we don’t get distracted by promises of future technical solutions to… Read More…
Government releases its Hydrogen Strategy Number 2 of the Government’s 10 Point Plan: “Working with industry aiming to generate 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for industry, transport, power and homes, and aiming to develop the first town heated entirely by hydrogen by the end of the decade” On 17 August 2021… Read More…
The IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report WG1 – findings and background Introduction This month the UN’s IPCC published the first part of its 6th Assessment Report (AR6). Entitled The Physical Science Basis (for Climate Change) it was written by the IPCC’s Working Group l (WG1), comprising 700 authors from 66 countries, and involving the assessment of 14,000 peer-reviewed studies up to… Read More…ACT Responds to the Local Plan ACT has produced a response to the local plan in two parts. We have looked at carbon emissions arising as a consequence of the sites proposed, here the principles relate to the plan in general. Climate related aspects of the plan Our wildlife wardens have been busy gathering information about… Read More…
Wildlife Warden Podcast Episode 5 Emily Marbaix is back with another podcast (which you can also read) in which she talks about her latest wild camping trip, orienteering training with Emma Cunis (aka Dartmoor’s Daughter), and notes that 68 wildlife wardens across 34 parishes and wards have received introductory training. There is also: An update… Read More…
Wildlife Warden July Newsletter As usual, it was been a busy month! We are currently writing ACT’s response to the Local Plan consultation, so this newsletter is a little shorter than usual. Thank you to those of you who have responded to the Local Plan Consultation. This could be our last chance to influence… Read More…
ACT Newsletter July 2021 Our July Newsletter is now hot off the press covering the following topics: Last Chance to Influence Where New Housing is Built – TDC’s Local Plan – Part 2 (Deadline 9 August)ACT’s Planning Application ToolCatch up with ACT Wildlife WardensA “Just Transition” to Net ZeroThe Government unveils its Transport Decarbonisation… Read More…
Last Chance to Influence Where New Housing is Built You have until noon on Monday August 9th to give Teignbridge District Council (TDC) your views on the 100 plus sites around Teignbridge proposed for new development. If you don’t respond to this consultation you won’t get another opportunity. It is difficult, if not impossible, for plans to be changed… Read More…
Wildlife Warden Podcast – Episode 4 This episode brings you: An overview of a visit from Amanda and Amy from the Devon Environment Foundation, who are one of our main fundersEmily’s first experience of wild camping on DartmoorAdvice on wild camping in TeignbridgeInformation about butterflies and an interview with Amy Walkden, the secretary for the Devon… Read More…
Wildlife Warden June Newsletter This month’s Newsletter covers a lot of ground, literally, with wardens and opthers venturing out as summer begins. Topics covered include: The Local Plan. Training sessions. Project visits. Ogwild’s Rectory Field open afternoon. Wild about Devon. Devon Rewilding Network. Here’s the full newsletter Read More…
June 2021 Newsletter The latest Newsletter is now available with a plethora of information and items on the following topics : Membership tidy up. Great Big Green Week 18-26 September 2021. Teignbridge District Council’s Local Plan – Part 2. G7 Protesters are just ordinary people. Teign Estuary Trail. The Climate and Ecological Emergency… Read More…
An idea for the Heart of Teignbridge The government demands that the local plan provides sites for about 750 houses per year over the next 20 years in Teignbridge. Where homes are built makes a difference to carbon emissions. If you build small flats in town centres: There are fewer emissions from construction.There are fewer ongoing emissions.You… Read More…
XR Protests at the G7 When you think about an Extinction Rebellion (XR) activist, you probably don’t think of someone like me, writes Amanda Cole. A 68 year old grandmother, with a 44 year history of NHS work in a responsible and respected position. But I attended the protests at the recent G7 meeting in… Read More…
Travels With My BEV Who would have thought there could be so much ‘mileage’, in having a BEV. No, not my best friend, my BEV is a Battery Electric Vehicle, writes Helen Chessum. Bought last year just before the pandemic took over our lives, BEV turned out to be the perfect lockdown project, providing… Read More…Site options for the Teignbridge local plan to be consulted on A meeting of the council executive on 1st June passed a motion to run a public consultation on site options for the local plan from 14th June to 9th August. Executive Committee meeting You can watch the proceedings of the executive committee here , this gives access to a recording… Read More…
Fast Access tool for planning applications We have written a tool which enables you to see details of all active planning applications on a single interactive page. This enables applications to be filtered by date range, parish, ward or Wildlife Warden area, type, decision level. Text search on address, proposal and document description and title is… Read More…
Precious Trees Need Preserving New neighbours move in and immediately cut down a magnificent silver birch and create a drive with non-porous material. I am mad! I love trees, writes Fran Hamilton. What’s all the fuss about? Let’s start at the bottom, below the surface of the soil. Maybe you have noticed white threads… Read More…
Update on the CEE Bill Following our piece in the May Newsletter on the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, the CEE Bill Alliance has drafted a second (‘summary’) version of the bill, The Climate and Ecology Bill No. 2. This strengthened and condensed version of the CEE Bill is designed to present a clearer proposal,… Read More…Wildlife Warden Podcast Episode 3 In the latest Devon Wildlife Warden Podcast, Emily Marbaix brings you details about Churches Count for Nature Week (between 5th and 13th of June) and of a quiz she has put together to quantify how well you are managing your garden for wildlife. There is also: An interview with Flavio,… Read More…
May 2021 Newsletter Our latest Newsletter is ready and waiting covering the following topics: How about an Electric Car and Bike Club in Teignmouth? – Including a survey to be completed by 26 May. No mow May. Six months to COP26 – what are the issues? Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill… Read More…
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… Read More…
Why Wildlife Wardens? In December 2020 I signed up to become a wildlife warden for my parish, writes Emily Marbaix. It’s a scheme run by ACT aiming to help local wildlife survive and thrive. There’s a strong connection between wildlife loss and climate breakdown. They are both outcomes of our exploitation of the… Read More…
Wildlife Warden April Newsletter A lot has happened this month, as we have finally been able to get outside and meet up in small groups, which has been really nice. It is not only us that have been busy; I have two nest boxes in my garden that are being used by house sparrows,… Read More…
Common interest not self interest When Greta Thunberg met Sir David Attenborough, as shown on BBC TV recently, she asked him what he would say to young people who think there is no point in saying or doing anything about climate change because no one is listening. He replied that people are listening. “There just… Read More…Wildlife Warden Podcast Episode 2 In Episode 2 of the Devon Wildlife Warden Podcast, Emily Marbaix takes a look at the wide range of conservation schemes in our area and draws attention to the new National Grassroots Campaign Map. She also discusses: The value of churchyards for conservation efforts. A summary of what our local wildlife… Read More…
Choose peat free compost this spring It’s spring, writes Lucy Oldroyd. The cold winds have passed. Surely, that is the last of the severe frosts. It is time to get planting! Trays of bright bedding at the supermarket, at the garden centre entice. Now for the compost. The bags are almost as bright as the bedding… Read More…Wildlife Warden podcast Emily Marbaix, a Wildlife Warden for Abbotskerswell, has created a podcast about the Wildlife Warden scheme. You can listen to the first episode here, as well as on Spotify and on Apple Podcasts. Emily talks about local wildlife/reserves, some of the things that Wildlife Wardens have been up to and explains why she got… Read More…
Wildlife Warden March newsletter Spring is here! The emergence of life after the long dreary winter months is what makes this my favourite time of the year. It is always uplifting to see the first celandine flowers emerge, followed closely by pollinators, such as the early bumblebee. Soon, the swallows, swifts and house martins… Read More…
March 2021 Newsletter Our latest newsletter is now ready, covering; last week’s Members’ Forum – how you can help us – the benefits of visiting the websites, the mysteries of the “Net” in Net Zero – Devon CC’s Waste Management consultation and the Netflix documentary “Seaspiracy”. Read More…
Know your Net Zero from your NETs and BECCS The history of and debate over Net Zero: In 2015, nearly 200 countries signed up to the Paris Agreement committing “to limit the global temperature increase in this century to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C”. Calculations were… Read More…ACT needs your help Dear fellow climate champions ACT is planning its strategy over the next 6 months and could really do with some help. We are looking for a few extra people to help out for perhaps an hour or two a week with either committee or hands-on work. You don’t have to… Read More…
Wildlife Warden February Newsletter Thanks to all wardens for the hard work you have put into the scheme during these difficult times. The scheme is constantly growing and moving in the right direction. We have created a subdomain on the ACT website for the Wildlife Warden Scheme. It is still in development, but it already contains… Read More…
Wood burning stoves and air pollution Wood burning stoves are in the news. They make a significant contribution to air pollution according to a recent government report. Wood burners and open fires together account for more than one-third (38%) of the tiny particles known as PM2.5 that are among the most damaging types of emissions for… Read More…
February 2021 Newsletter Our latest newsletter is now available covering next month’s members’ forum, help needed with our work with town & parish councils, the economics of biodiversity, the Interim Devon Plan, Bill Gates and his new book, TDC’s progress with the climate & ecological emergencies and the almost failed Green Homes Grant… Read More…Teignbridge progress with the climate and ecological emergency Cllr. Jackie Hook, executive member for Climate Change, Flooding and Coastal Defence reported to Teignbridge District Council’s (TDC) Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9th February 2021. Here is a video clip of her report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp8Ka1VJ-_8&t=1h46m30s She reported on TDC’s work on Climate change and the Ecological Emergency: TDC appointed William… Read More…
Green homes grant not fit for purpose The green homes grant scheme caught my attention as soon as it was launched in September 2020. It looked worth investigating, but my attempt to use it soon came up against obstacles. It proved difficult to find either independent advice on the most important and appropriate improvements to my home,… Read More…
Members’ Forum on climate and ecological issues 10:30am – 12:00pm 27 March 2021 As the first in what we hope will be a series, we are running the above online Zoom event to cover some of the issues, relating to the climate and ecological emergencies, which are important to our members. We want to attract as many members as possible and to get… Read More…
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… Read More…
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… Read More…December 2020 Wildlife Warden Newsletter In a year that has been difficult for everyone, it has been immensely uplifting to see so many people enthusiastic about helping nature bounce back. Thanks to all of you for the time and energy that you have put into this scheme. At the time of writing, we have almost 50 Wildlife… Read More…
January 2021 Newsletter Our latest newsletter is now available introducing Flavio, our Wildlife Warden Coordinator, and providing information on Zero Carbon Britain from CAT in Wales, the CCC’s 6th Carbon Budget and Pathway, our articles in the Mid-Devon Advertiser and Greta Thunberg at 18, with her documentary “I am Greta” If you are… Read More…
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… Read More…
Saving our wildlife – Parish by Parish Our Audrey Compton gives a talk about the benefits of local people becoming more actively involved in local conservation to care for wildlife at a Parish level. In her talk, for Dartmoor National Park, Audrey describes her own journey in discovering and conserving the benefits nature brings to our lives,… Read More…
David Attenborough Bears Witness David Attenborough’s new book, A Life on Our Planet, should be on everyone’s Christmas gift list. Ask for it, or give it. If nothing else can persuade people of the urgency of tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies, perhaps this will. Even if you are already convinced, Attenborough’s Witness Statement… Read More…
My Carbon Footprint I was brought up to turn the lights off when I left a room, to save both money and energy. I remember the three day week of the 1970s and the power cuts when energy was rationed. That early training may help me now as I start the work of… Read More…
ACT’s Wildlife Wardens scheme is on Spotlight Watch BBC Spotlight this evening 29 October to see a piece about our new Wildlife Wardens scheme. Unfortunately other events overtook Spotlight and so the article was not aired that evening but quick thinking Rebekah East was able to post this video on Facebook when it did finally air on… Read More…October 2020 newsletter Our latest newsletter is now available including information on a number of topics including the start of our Wildlife Warden scheme, the new Economy & Business group, Retrofitting and Teignbridge District Council’s Ecological Emergency declaration. If you are a signed up member and didn’t receive a copy let Paul know… Read More…
TDC debate Ecological Emergency Teignbridge District council are to debate an Ecological Emergency declaration tomorrow Wednesday 30th September 2020 at 10:00am at the Full Council Meeting. You can watch it live on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/user/TeignbridgeDC/videos. The video will be posted once the meeting starts. You can read the full text of the motion… Read More…
New Government Proposals impose 1532 houses a year on Teignbridge The government is conducting a consultation entitled “Changes to The Current Planning System”, which include proposed changes to the formula for calculation of housing numbers. When applied to 2020 this formula requires 1532 houses a year, whereas the previous formula required 760 houses. Summary of our concerns The absence of… Read More…
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… Read More…
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,… Read More…July 2020 Newsletter Our latest Newsletter is now available, covering the showing of the film 2040, the Regenerate Devon summit and our current work with local councils, our carbon calculator and lobbying our MPs. Read More…
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.… Read More…
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… Read More…May 2020 Newsletter Our latest Newsletter is now available, covering current work, our new Economy & Business group and thoughts on a post-virus Green recovery. Read More…
ACT responds to Teignbridge Local Plan consultation The ACT coordinating group is preparing a response to the TDC Local Plan consultation. We have prepared an initial draft response here. Your input/comments are very much welcomed, please send these to fuad@actionclimateteignbridge.org It is important that everyone responds to this consultation by the 15th June as the new Local… Read More…
Carbon Calculator released We have developed a carbon calculator which is simple to use and will enable you to track your carbon footprint from year to year. The calculator covers everything you and your household consume including domestic energy use, transport, food and stuff. Domestic energy use and car use are based on… Read More…
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… Read More…
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… Read More…
Teignbridge Wildlife Watchers on Facebook A message to all ACT members with an interest in Wildlife. To help wildlife, find new friends, keep people in touch and encourage them to share the wildlife they see on their daily walk, we’ve just started a Teignbridge Wildlife Watchers Facebook Page. Read More…Decarbonising Transport setting the Challenge DfT has launched Decarbonising Transport setting the Challenge. This recognises that current and planned policies will not result in net zero by 2050. This consultation plans to produce a Transport Decarbonisation Plan within 7 months. Read More…
Teignbridge District Council Local Plan Review On 23rd March Teignbridge District Council announced the Local Plan 2020-2040 Review. The review survey runs until 15th June 2020, and ACT will be publishing a response towards the end of April. Read More…
Transport Documents Updated Transport related documents have been updated to reflect comments received. These are the Parish Pack, Transport Policy and the TECs Electric Vehicles review. Read More…
ACT launches resources pack for town and parish councillors Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) works to support district, town and parish councils in the locality that are considering declaring or have already declared a climate and /or ecological emergency. Twenty councils In Teignbridge, including the district council, have made such a declaration, while others are considering doing so. Read More…
Plant that tree, but make sure it’s the right tree in the right place Tree planting is fast becoming a national mania as research shows that trees are a key ally in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Planting without due care and attention won’t get us far though. It is all about planting the right tree in the right place for the right… Read More…
Heathfield Power Station application unanimously rejected by Teignbridge planning committee This morning Teignbridge District Council unanimously rejected application 19/01342/FUL for a gas fired power plant at Heathfield. Read More…
Stop the Heathfield Power Plant Following Teignbridge District Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in April 2019, in July application 19/01342/FUL was received by Teignbridge District Council for a 2.5MW gas-fired peaking power plant at Heathfield. This application has received over 300 objections. Read More…
Subjectivity and Climate Change In her 2016 PhD thesis, Gillian Westcott examined the part played by subjective attitudes to climate change in determining the policy and actions of local authorities in South West England. Read More…
What you can learn from Energy Performance Certificates All domestic and commercial buildings in the UK available to rent or buy must have an Energy Performance Certificate. The Certificate provides details on the energy efficiency of a building, gives it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient), and tells you what you can do to improve… Read More…
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) An Energy Performance Certificate is required for properties when constructed, sold or let. The Energy Performance Certificate provides details on the energy performance of the property and what you can do to improve it. This estimates primary energy consumption and associated emissions for only certain elements of a property, so… Read More…
Climate Workshop for Councillors and Clerks Calling District, Town, Parish Councillors and Clerks throughout Teignbridge. You are invited to attend a forum on climate action to share knowledge and ideas. Choose a date and venue below and sign up. Read More…
Britain’s first zero emissions street A heavily-polluted road which is partially enclosed will become Britain’s first zero-emissions street where all petrol and diesel cars will be banned. Read More…
Climate Emergency Question Time well attended The event at Coombeshead Academy last thursday was well attended. Here is a video of some of the answers. For most questions only one of the candidate’s answers is shown, in the hustings each candidate was given equal time to answer. Read More…
November 2019 Newletter Action on Climate in Teignbridge’s November Newsletter. ACT’s sub-groups have submitted a wide range of policies for the Teignbridge Local Plan Review. We have a web site. Read More…
Climate Emergency Question Time Deciding how to vote has never been so difficult, and climate change and the environment aren’t getting as much cover as they deserve. So, ACTion on Climate in Teignbridge has invited all of the candidates standing for the Central Devon and Newton Abbot constituencies to our Climate Emergency Question Time. Read More…
TDC formally accept our support proposal ACT has met Jackie Hook, TDC climate emergency portfolio holder and David Eaton, climate emergency lead officer, on several occasions, to discuss a joint approach for delivering on the TDC declaration. We have also gathered over 150 proposals for possible action from members of the community, which has been passed… Read More…
September 2019 Newsletter Welcome to the first of what will become a quarterly newsletter. Firstly, and somewhat belatedly a massive THANK YOU to all who attended our Climate Summit meeting. Especially for all the great suggestions you’ve given us, we’ve already used those in our work discussions the district council. So, what’s… Read More…
Teignbridge declares a climate emergency April 2019 The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor J Hook and supported by Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, Hayes, G Hook, Nutley, Parker and Wrigley. Background Council Notes: Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by… Read More…
August 2019 Newletter This email is to update you on what has been happening since the meeting on 4th July. We’ve been busy organising the next stage of Teignbridge Climate Emergency Action Group’s (TCEAG’s) work, and collating all the suggestions made at the meeting. One of the first tasks is to set up… Read More…