WIREDGOV

Ever wondered how you could save energy for your mother and toddler group or install solar panels in your village hall? Or perhaps you’re just wondering how you can do more to tackle climate change.

Now help is at hand with practical information on how your community can make a difference in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Action Pack for Tackling Climate Change.

At the launch of the pack today at the Royal Welsh Show, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson said the enthusiasm and innovation of communities across Wales could play a huge role in tackling climate change. She said:

Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world today.

By working together we can find radical new solutions to dealing with the effects of climate change. Encouraging and supporting behavioural change at all levels is also key and community groups can play a crucial role. The work done by communities will be crucial in helping us meet our One Wales commitment of a 3% reduction in carbon emissions per year by 2011.

Since becoming Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, one of the great pleasures has been to find that I meet people who inspire me in believing that we can tackle this issue – and we can do it best by working together.

This pack encapsulates the message that, although climate change is a huge issue, we can do something about it. We hope the pack will get people excited about addressing the challenge within their community and help give them the tools to do something about it.

The launch took place at the National Federation Women’s Institutes - Wales stand where the Minister met members of the NFWI-Wales’ Eco teams, an excellent example of action by a community group.

Each Eco Team meets once a month to share ideas and support each other whilst taking simple, practical actions to save energy, water and reduce waste.

It is now hoped that the pack, highlighting projects covering energy, transport, water and food, will inspire others to tackle climate change together.

As well as ideas and case studies the pack details how groups can start projects and drive them through to conclusion.

Produced by the Welsh Assembly Government, with assistance from Cynnal Cymru, the pack also contains a DVD of community projects.

The film highlights five community projects taking positive action to tackle climate change and reduce their carbon emissions, and also features Nobel laureate as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Sir John Houghton, explaining the effects of climate change.

The projects featured are:

• Riverside Community Market and Allotment project, Cardiff
• Bro Dyfi Community Renewables Project, Machynlleth
• Community Hall Solar Panels, Carmarthenshire Energy Agency
• Womens Institute Eco Teams, Llanddewi Brefi
• Ynysybwl to Cilfynydd Cycle Track

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/climate_change/?lang=en

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/?lang=en