October News Update

GET INVOLVED – GO GREEN – GET READING – GET ACTIVE

News and recent activities
The EcoFest event on 18th September was a great success! It was organised in conjunction with the Lichfield Methodist EcoChurch group and held at the church, as part of the Climate Coalition’s Great Big Green Week – over 5000 events took place across the UK.
There were speakers covering food waste, living sustainably, green business, energy at home, slow v fast fashion. Exhibitors chatted to visitors about carbon footprint calculations, zero waste shopping, litter picking, repair café and the Big Red Bike rides around town. LDC Councillors were in attendance and were very engaged on the topics.
           
​The slow v fast fashion show, organised by Philippa and Clare, was a great success and many attendees were shocked to hear the figures relating to clothing production and over-use of resources.
It was wonderful to be able to hold an event like this again and to engage with a wide range of people from our community. Our plan is to ensure regular engagement with the District, City and County councils on climate change.
Thanks to everyone who took part or came along and to Waitrose for funding support.

Learning opportunities, inspiration and handy hints

The UKs Footprint on Global Biodiversity
MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee have published a new report on the UK's footprint on global biodiversity. Read the report here.
The committee said the Government must strengthen its own sustainable procurement policies, and it should be illegal for UK businesses to use deforestation-linked commodities, if the UK is to demonstrate global leadership to protect nature.
The committee also called on the Government to:
- Set an environmental footprint target by launching a consultation ahead of COP26 on how to model the overseas environmental impact of UK consumption.
- Conduct sustainability impact assessments for all future trade agreements.
- Increase sustainability within UK supply chains requiring all forest-risk commodities to be certified as sustainably produced.

Ethical Consumer Week
16th-22nd Oct - A whole host of online events to tap into with the theme of ‘Closing the Climate Gap’. Certainly worth joining in as there are topics to suit everyone. Some sessions are free of charge, others are ticketed.  Click here to find out more.
Bus shelters for wildlife
Aren’t there some innovative people? I really loved this idea and hopefully it will catch on across the UK. Read the article here.
Carbon footprint analysis for business
Staffordshire Business & Environment Network has just launched a fantastic tool for Staffordshire based businesses to use to assess their complete carbon footprint and to work out a strategy of how they can introduce changes. If you run a business or have contacts who do then please share The Carbon Tracker with them.
Energy Price Rises
It is even more important to find ways to better insulate your home and reduce consumption now that prices have rocketed and supply is uncertain. Visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website to check whether there might be ideas you could implement.
Happy News!
How many of you have come across this newspaper, which only publishes positive stories? What a great idea if you are sick of reading the depressing stuff – The Happy Newspaper. Makes a good gift for someone too!

Spotlight slot
Our group focus this month is Lichfield Foodbank.​
Sadly proven to be an absolutely essential service, they provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are now operating out of Curborough Community Centre, in addition to Wade Street Church and the Life Church. Times can be found on their website. A big round of applause to all their volunteers and staff!

Get involved

Global Day of Action on Climate Change – 6th November
Look out for events via the Cop26 Coalition who are co-ordinating efforts across the UK and will be directly involved with activities at COP itself. We would love to hold something in Lichfield if anyone would like to get something organised? Birmingham will be having a large gathering which is a local option to join in with.
If you want to know more about COP26 (31st Oct to 12th Nov) and what is actually happening then take a look at this guide.
A great initiative being organised by the Climate Crisis Hub during COP is a film festival, which will showcase ‘stunning, diverse, and eye-opening cinema, providing a systemic perspective behind the raw human stories of climate change’. I am sure this will put our own worries in the UK into perspective.

Dates for your diary
1st Wed of each month, 7.30pm (venue TBC – 3rd Nov first date) - Transition Lichfield informal meet up is back on the calendar! Sessions with speakers and activities will be arranged quarterly. Check out the Events section of the Transition website.

16th October – Repair Café at Curborough Community Centre, 2-5pm, plus clothing upcycling workshop. Bring a clothing item you would like to have a go at doing something different with.

20th November is the following session.
 
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We welcome your suggestions for newsletter content, for Transition group projects and events, for groups that should be listed on our website and for useful connections.
Thank you for reading and feel free to share the newsletter with friends and family.
TRANSITION LICHFIELD
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