Energy without costing the Earth

What makes a difference?

2011-03-19T09:26:00.012Z

Despite a day of squalls and showers, there was a healthy turnout for the open house at Strathaird.

The log boiler

house, focus of the 'opening' , was crammed full of people of all ages. Pupils from Elgol Primary attended and were knowledgeable and interested in matters relating to renewable energy - that is until the home baking appeared - at which point, all attention was diverted. But not before they had heard from "Clean Sleat" - a neighbouring community - about their endeavours to reduce their carbon footprint. It turns out the most effective things they have done have been to insulate homes and switch to wood for fuel.

The recently installed log boiler that serves the two properties owned by the John Muir Trust will help reduce the footprint of the Trust. However insulation still remains the most cost

effective measure.

One property is home to a family and the other is the office base and occasional base for visitors. Both buildings are poured concrete and, despite the thickness of the walls, they leak heat.

As a way of dealing with this leakage, some solid wall insulation has been applied to some walls in the family house. We used a material called 'sempatap'. It is like a thick wallpaper that is put straight onto walls with a glue like substance similar to copydex. This, according to Drew who lives in the house and put it up is, 'a bit of a pig to handle'. Once it hits the wall it sticks so two rather than one pair of hands would definitely help.' But does it make a difference?

George, Drew's 11 year old son who lives in the previously cold extension room, having sempatap has definitely made a difference.

"My room is a lot warmer now and I'm not cold when I get up in the morning anymore.

The log boiler is much better. In the kitchen, the oil boiler used to roar away and make a racquet and now it is very quiet and we are much warmer. I like being in the boiler room. It is nice and warm. I help stack the logs and wheel barrow them and I also help split them."

The objective evidence supports what George says. We took thermal imaging pictures before and after insulation and it was clear that loft insulation was most effective but that there was also a difference with the solid wall insulation. The Purple tells us heat is retained (right picture) - yellow tells us it is leaking heat (left picture). See previous blog.

And the log boiler - does it make a difference? It will certainly reduce the carbon footprint considerably, assuming the trees burnt are replaced. It is an expensive bit of kit but has a long predicted life and could have heated 3 properties. It has an impressive efficiency rate of 92% and only needs loading once a day to heat the properties and probably less in warmer months. ESSENTIAL to its effective functioning is DRY wood as that burns most efficiently.

Alastair Robertson from Highland Eco-Heat who fitted it reckons that it will payback its costs in 5-6 years. This assumes that the cost of oil will keep rising, that the wood is free and that we can access the renewable heat incentive, all of which seem likely. But the capital of £28K plus is quite a serious consideration for anyone. When we set out down this road - it seemed that there would be continued interest free loans for renewables. Then they were withdrawn. Then there was talk of loans that would go with the property rather than the owner so that repayment would be assigned to the value of a property rather than being something for the owner to be left to deal with but all has gone quiet on that front too.

The cost reflects the quality of equipment which we expect to last at least some 20 plus years. It is worth noting that the accreditation scheme for installation doesn't accredit the quality of the equipment as such and it is still in the UK a new area so lots to learn. We have been lucky in finding a reliable local installer on Skye who has researched equipment for us. The Trust is in many ways acting as a guinea pig for this. A bold move. Will it make a difference?

In the long run, this is certainly one way for people to go in rural areas where they have ready access to wood for fuel. More co-operation in how we approach issues like heating homes could also make this manageable as a boiler heating several properties would be cost effective. The idea of 'district heating systems' where one larger piece of kit heats several properties in not new. Much of the continent functions effectively on this basis and we could too - if only we could find a way to co-operate in these matters. Perhaps a time will come when this will be feasible for more places. Meantime, a small difference is being made in this corner of Scotland and aspects of that are replicable. Especially the basic insulation measures.

Heating up

2011-03-08T14:32:00.007Z

As the cost of oil starts to spiral again and a bitter winter has almost left these shores, it is a good time to review how we heat our properties in preparation for future years.

On Skye, the John Muir Trust has done just that and the two properties at Strathaird are benefiting from a newly installed log boiler.

An open house on Friday 18th March 2-4pm and on Saturday 19th March 10 -12 noon will give both local people and visitors a chance to see what this is like in action and discover some of the benefits of this carbon neutral form of heating.

Angus Robertson of Clean Sleat will share some of their experiences of making changes towards a low carbon community on the Friday and there will be demonstrations from Skye installer Alastair Robertson of Highland Eco Heat of how the boiler works. There will also be information about various aspects of insulation and renewable installations from Community Energy Scotland (who provided a grant through the CARES programme) and from the Energy Savings Trust Scotland. In addition there will be displays of other initiatives from the Highlands and Islands including Assynt Renewables. And essentially, there will be HOME BAKING and teas and coffees.

Hope you can join us there.

Some reflections

2010-07-27T14:27:00.015+01:00

It is a funny old thing when it comes time to move on - as I will do today. One is tempted to do some deep and meaningful reflections on the value of ones work.

So here goes: I came to this work just over two years ago with more background in working with communities than on climate change. But it didn't take long to gather in the facts and see that this was a real phenomena with real evidence to substantiate the facts.

I also came neutral on the issue of wind farms - vaguely thinking that if it somehow made things better in the long run, a bit of impairment on the horizon for the greater good was an acceptable sacrifice. Today, the go ahead has been given to Calliachar Wind farm in Highland Perthshire. This will sit alongside Griffin Wind farm providing an industrial landscape where previously there was little.

My views are different now and I harbour thoughts of ill will towards inappropriate development as I imagine it delivering little and damaging much. Small scale turbines appropriately sited for communities are a different matter.......as with other renewables, appropriately sited.

Ill thoughts now harboured - I can move on.

Seriously though, this blog was set up as a way for various communities associated with the John Muir Trust to share their experiences of moving towards a more sustainable futures. It soon became clear that a number of communities - primarily those that own land were moving well in that direction - and aretapping into a range of resources. They provide inspiration to many others and I hope that these pages have helped in sharing information. From production of fuel from recycled oil in North Harris, a low carbon lunch in Galson, community garden at Knoydart, energy audits in Assynt and Eigg's big green challenge I have certainly been inspired.

It has also been great to hear from other communities who have shared what they are about - for instance Sleat - who have worked on carbon foot printing and Glen Lyon who are exploring wood fuel options and have some innovative ideas around drying wood (ring barking) - check out Tom Beel's blog just released on this issue. An informative read.

I have enjoyed - for the most part - reporting on the work I have been undertaking - most recently on Skye. This has been two-fold: Looking at the long-term viability of a wood fuel supply for the Elgol peninsula and helping the Trust to lead by example, showing what is possible to do with an energy inefficient house (on Skye) that leaks heat etc. by insulating it and coverting it from oil to wood for heat. Thanks to support from Andrew Campbell, Head of Land Management( and soon to move on too) and to Helen McDade, Head of Policy this looks likely to proceed.

For me the connection between this work with communities on energy related issues and wild land has been obvious:

Wild land, which is intrinsically linked to the quality of the ecosystems upon which our lives depend, is under threat. The biggest threat is from our energy demands/needs. All the evidence seems to suggest the more we have the more we want. As appliances become more efficient we want more of them and so it spirals on. Like many aspects of modern day life we have lost our connection with where things come from and our connection to consequence is also lost.

Now, it is a flick of the switch - who cares where it comes from...In some communities the connection is stronger and, as has been illustrated through these pages, small scale schemes can provide some answers for smaller rural communities.

The real challenge however is how the majority live more sustainably. Some people just don't want to hear what needs to be done.

Perhaps with a little imagination we can get by without all the things we think we need....

It is difficult to avoid being santimonious at times. On a personal level I vary from feeling smug, suffering the resultant repetitive strain injury as I wander around my house switching off the many appliances left on by my family to dreaming of zooming off around the globe to far flung corners- probably only accessible by plane. A gal has gotta live, and dream.

This will be the last post for some time to this blog - and perhaps for good. The project funding for this work, like many things, has been affected by the recession and this work does not fit into the recent restructure within the John Muir Trust so, it remains for me to thank people for visiting this site and take the chance to reflect a little on the past couple of years.

I hope to do a final couple of blogs to update people what happens there so this is more, in the words of Fagan, a case of cheerio but be back soon....

Meantime if anyone has deep and meaningful comments about what makes for a sustainable community - feel free to comment.

Developing a Trust - Sustainable Futures

2010-07-20T15:03:00.007+01:00

What makes some communities stronger and more vibrant than others?

Certainly having ideas and support to see them through to fruition helps, as does being able to learn from others doing similar things.

In this guest blog, Ian Cooke, Director of Development Trust Association Scotland, shares some of the benefits of being part of an organisation supporting communities to do just this.

Picture of Easdale Community Hall,, developed by the local development trust.

The John Muir Trust blog features a number of organisations such as the Knoydart Foundation and Assynt Foundation who are members of the Development Trust Association Scotland, but what is a development trust and what does DTA Scotland do?

Essentially, development trusts are independent, community led organisations that use a combination of enterprise, creativity and voluntary effort to address local issues and improve the quality of life in their respective communities. The use of enterprise often includes the acquisition and development of physical assets such as buildings, land or woodland - to generate income, house activities and services and provide jobs - and this is the characteristic for which development trusts are perhaps best known.

Picture of Westray Development Trust celebrating the opening of a care centre.

DTA Scotland is the networking and representative organisation for development trusts, with over 145 members located throughout Scotland. About two thirds of our member development trusts operate in rural and island communities, and many have made a significant contribution towards improving the fortunes of their respective communities.

DTA Scotland is an independent, member-led organisation which has three main areas of activity:

Meeting with interested community groups and helping them set up a development trust.

Supporting and strengthening established development trusts, through networking, training, resources, information and arrange of other exciting opportunities.

Providing a national voice for development trusts and communities, and promoting and representing their interests.

“There’s so much to be gained from development trusts coming together, sharing our knowledge and experience, and working together for the benefit of the movement. Individually we can be isolated community organisations; working together we have collective strength and can punch above our weight.”
Henry Mains, Sleat Community Trust

To find out more about development trusts, or what DTA Scotland has to offer, or to subscribe to our free quarterly e-bulletin, visit our website, phone 0131 220 2456, or e-mail info@dtascot.org.uk

What are your experiences of making your community more sustainable? Would establishing a development trust make a difference? Or if you are a development trust - has it made a difference?

Glenlyon Woodfuel Initiative

2010-07-01T12:29:00.013+01:00

Some of you will recall Jamie Grant who previously was the John Muir Trust Communications Officer.

Jamie took great interest in what was happening in communities around sustainability. Inspired by meeting and speaking to various people he encouraged action in his own community of Glen Lyon.

As a result, in March this year, Tom Beels was appointed through climate challenge funding to look at future sustainability. Thanks to Tom for information about the project and forthcoming woodfuel event on 17th July.

Glen Lyon, in Highland Perthshire, is a remote community of around 90 residents, strung along 22 miles of single-track road.

We have received Climate Challenge Funding to see whether it is feasible for the community in Glen Lyon to reduce its dependence on oil as a main heating source, by burning some of the low value timber that surrounds them.

The initiative is also aimed at reducing the community’s carbon footprint and encouraging native woodlands in the area.

Glen Lyon has recently been found to have some of the most intact woodland habitats in Scotland. By re-introducing traditional management techniques, such as coppicing, we hope to enhance and complement the wildlife around us. We are also involving local children in tree planting and hope they will see the fruits of their labour.

We are holding a woodfuel event on Saturday July 17th from 12 noon until 5pm at Glenlyon Kirk.

A number of heat surveys have been completed in Glenlyon to look at the potential for a change from oil to wood heating systems with more surveys planned. Initial results suggest the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) could make the payback time for installing a wood boiler as little as 3 to 4 years.

Steve Luker a consultant to the forestry industry on RHI will be joining us to answer questions and provide information on RHI. A valuable opportunity for you to hear from an expert about a scheme that will pay you for burning wood efficiently.
Heating systems expert Bernd Pinamonti of Thermotec Ecosystems LTD will give advice on the components and costs involved in installing and maintaining modern wood fired systems.

Plans for a woodfuel supply within the glen will be outlined, accompanied by a demonstration of an “Iron Horse” timber extraction machine. Locally made small roundwood craft items such as hurdles, pea sticks and staffs will be on display and available to buy.

And if this were not enough, representatives of The Big Shed and Loch Tay Food Chain will also give talks and answer questions about the exciting projects unfolding “over the hill”.

We hope to have even more attractions nearer the date so if you think you could add to our highly informative afternoon or would like more details, please contact Tom Beels on 01887 866291

Knoydart Hydro Open Day

2010-06-29T12:27:00.004+01:00

A quick update from Gwen Barrell at Knoydart about a recent open day as part of the Scottish Renewables Festival.

On Wednesday June 15th Knoydart Renewables Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary company of Knoydart Foundation) held an open day at its turbine house as part of the Scottish Renewables Festival.

Tommy McManmon, Knoydart Ranger writes, “We had five people and a couple of dogs who really enjoyed the day. Angela Williams, our Development Manager, gave an introductory talk in the village hall, where people had the chance to browse the display boards. We travelled up to the turbine by Landrover. One visitor had worked in construction of hydro schemes in the past, so was happy to look around the turbine shed and tell us what things were! The turbine wasn’t running because it was under maintenance, but this was actually ideal as it meant we could have conversations with each other. People were interested in how many properties were supplied by the system, and how often shut-downs occurred. All were very impressed by a community running such a large electricity scheme.”

The visit coincided with some works on the dam, and in a scheduled shut-down of the turbine which worked out beautifully for the visit. The Turbine House is not open to the public though we have been holding an annual “Tea at the Turbine House” guided walk for the past couple of years in order to educate local people and visitors about the scheme. Since its refurbishment in 2002 the hydro has provided over 4,750,000 kWh of (next to) zero carbon electricity. (We obviously use a bit of oil for lubrication, diesel for the back up generator, and to get to and from the turbine which is situated “up the glen” towards Gleann Meadall.

In addition to the community owned hydro there are two micro hydros in Knoydart for those outwith our system, and interest in developing some more micro systems. A recent study of Airor burn under the auspices of the Powerdown project showed that there is potential there to assist the community at Airor to cut its carbon footprint and use diesel generators substantially less.

More information http://www.knoydart-foundation.com/

Changing Gears

2010-06-23T16:08:00.021+01:00

The Parent Council at Elgol Primary School held a jumble sale recently to raise funds for the school. Top this off with teas, coffees and home baking and there is bound to be an audience.

Also present at the jumble sale and looking for an audience were energy and wood fuel related stalls the Parent Council had agreed could be part of the event.

Energy Saving Trust had a model house -showing how to reduce energy bills and an eco-driving simulator showing how to reduce fuel bills. The John Muir Trust had a display showing the heat leaking out of its, as then, uninsulated, property at Strathaird whilst there were displays from Wood Energy Scotland and Alastair Robertson from Highland Eco-Heat a Skye based wood fuel installer.

The biggest hit was the eco-driving simulator which caused much mirth and merriment as various people tried their hand at driving to reduce fuel costs and carbon.

Top tip is all about changing gears.
- Shift into a higher gear as soon as possible - changing up between 2,000 and 2,5000 rpm.

Another tip to lower your fuel bills and carbon footprint: Drive more smoothly - anticipating road conditions and taking your foot off the throttle gradually rather than braking suddenly.

Did you know that if you drive at 50mph rather than 70 mph - this reduces your fuel consumption by 10%?

The school children were largely determined to test the speed limits!More tips are to be found at the Eco Drive website.

Gardens take off in Knoydart

2010-06-14T12:02:00.006+01:00

A quick update from Gwen Barrell at Knoydart about the progress of the community garden which only received funding a few months ago. Already things are flourishing.

Knoydart Gardeners headed for the Road to the Isles Agricultural Show recently to meet up with other gardeners and display their progress in the garden since receiving Climate Challenge Funding.

A team of volunteers helped re-cover an old polytunnel at the end of last month, and already the tunnel is under cultivation by keen community members who have also been busy working on their outdoor veg plots. A wide range of fruit and vegetables are under cultivation – cutting down on food miles. Whilst gardening takes some effort, it saves time, carrying boxes of shopping from the ferry – a time consuming task!

A garden open day is planned for Saturday August 28th with a band in the evening too. More info from gwen@knoydart.org

Wet and wild in Kinlochbervie

2010-05-14T09:54:00.014+01:00

If you are out and about in Kinlochbervie over this weekend there are a series of activities celebrating International Biodiversity week. From ranger led walk to boat trips.

Saturday, 15 May 2010 and Sunday, 16 May 2010

Activities from 10am till 4pm

Kinlochbervie Village Hall and Loch Innis
A programme of Events is available from http://www.kinlochbervie.info/

See previous blog on what biodiversity has to do with you...

What a lot of rubbish

2010-05-01T12:00:00.009+01:00

Sea borders many of the areas that the John Muir Trust owns or has partnerships with. The beauty of wild landscape combined with seascape attracts many visitors to these areas and is a vital part of the tourism economy that sustains local communities.

In this guest blog, Rory Syme, Communications Officer for the John Muir Trust, reflects on a recent Trust work party to clear litter from Camasunary, near Elgol on the Isle of Skye.

Over Easter Weekend 17 volunteers took part in a litter pick on Camasunary, as part of the Trust’s annual programme of conservation work parties.
The bay is bordered by the Trust's Strathaird propoerty and is a key gateway to the Cuillin, one of Europe’s finest mountain ranges. During peak season hundreds of walkers from all over the world will walk past every day.

We found a great variety of rubbish, from shotgun shells that had been washed down-river, barrels and crates, toothbrushes, crisp packets, bottles, and even the petrol tank from a small boat. The majority of the litter though seemed to be small pieces of brightly coloured plastic fishing net. In places this covered the beach.

Not only was it back breaking work to pick this up, the sheer amount of plastic debris made it hard to appreciate that we were making a difference.

Plastic will never biodegrade, only slowly disintegrate into smaller pieces, making it a serious danger to wildlife. 90 per cent of fulmars found dead in the North Sea have plastic in their stomachs.

The work party inspired some discussion about our efforts. Is it right to gather up litter from one place to then pay for it to be transported and buried in landfill a few miles down the coast?
Can a small team of volunteers really make a difference against the huge tide of litter that is washed ashore every year? And what can we do about the vast majority of our marine litter, which either sinks to the bottom of the sea or just bobs around on the ocean, sometimes in huge amounts, as with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

As a society reducing the amount of litter we produce by becoming less disposable and more sustainable is a good starting point, and on a local level we need to tackle the visible effects of a life dominated by plastic.

For organisations like the John Muir Trust volunteers play a key part of achieving our objectives. We have a healthy interest in our work parties each year, and you can find out how to get involved on our website, but there are many other ways to help reduce the amount of litter in wild places.

Individuals can make a difference by going a step further from Leave No Trace and aiming to leave a positive footprint behind by filling a bag with litter on every walk.

Communities, schools and other groups can organise their own clean-ups through programmes like the Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch Big Weekend, or the Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Big Spring Clean.

Businesses that rely on tourism can support efforts to protect the landscape that provides their livelihood, through sponsorship, or just offering a free cup of tea at the end of a hard day’s litter picking.

Can we really afford for our natural heritage to disappear under piles of plastic?

Biodiversity – what has it got to do with us?

2010-04-30T10:48:00.010+01:00

This year is International Year of Biodiversity. In this guest blog Liz Auty, Biodiversity Officer for the John Muir Trust shares information about biodiversity and climate change in time for Scottish biodiversity week.

Many people would agree that conserving our wildlife is important for its own sake, but we often do not realise the essential services it provides for our quality of life. For instance, our biodiversity provides services like clean air, clean water and food.

It is now recognized that it is not just the number of species we have, but how they interact together in ecosystems that it is important. For example conserving a species of pine tree in a garden may save the species, but will not provide the flood alleviation ‘service’ that these trees thriving on a mountainside might. Or species conserved just in a zoo will no longer be part of the ecosystems they were once part of contributing as a whole to a healthy functioning planet.

Do we need to worry about our biodiversity?

Yes! Species are being lost and habitats degraded, and our climate is changing. Whilst species extinction is a natural part of Earth's history, over the past 100 years, humans have increased the extinction rate by at least 100 times compared to the natural rate. The current extinction rate is much greater than the rate at which new species arise, resulting in a net loss of biodiversity.
Some species of our higher mountains may be lost. This could include birds like the snow bunting, which occur on our Nevis Estate. According to a report from the RSPB and Durham University, the average range of British birds will move 550 kilometres (340 miles) to the north by 2100 as the climate heats up.

On our Nevis estate, a site condition monitoring report from SNH showed that the Arctic-alpine plants were declining. The report concluded that ‘the most likely long term threat is climate change, particularly as this has an effect on the distribution and duration of areas of late lying snow. Some of our rarer species will be outcompeted as the temperature warms.
Other mountain specialists like the Mountain Ringlet butterfly, found on Ben Nevis and Schiehallion are facing the same threats from changing climate.

You might also find this 2004 report by SNH interesting: Climate Change Impacts on Habitat and Species.

What is the John Muir Trust doing?

Through biodiversity management and monitoring we aim in the short term to:
• Maintain any features of protected areas that we manage in favourable condition
• Reduce the damaging impacts (grazing and trampling) on vegetation of browsing animals
• Observe and record responses in vegetation condition as a result of changes in management

Our longer term aims (beyond the next five years) are to:

• Encourage more natural processes,
• Improve the condition of habitats, species diversity and natural altitudinal gradients, from sea or glen to summit (e.g. natural tree lines),
• Expand and improve the quality of native woodlands,
• Gather data to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach to others

We hope that the land management strategy being pursued will lead to an improvement in the quality of habitats over time, despite any potential detrimental effects caused by climate change. "

What can you do for biodiversity?
Lots! One way to encourage biodiversity is to grow trees and plants which are native to your area and which will be the ones most likely to provide the best food and shelter for native animals rather than rushing off to buy anything labeled "butterfly home" or "food for native birds".

You can also get involved in recording the wildlife you see, to help keep a track of how things might be changing. For example the Woodland Trust Natures Calendar, or the British Trust for Ornithology's Garden Bird Survey .

Many communities are already taking steps that make a difference from growing food more locally in Knoydart to growing trees on Eigg, North Harris and on Skye.

It would be great to hear about anything you are doing to support biodiversity.

Community Garden takes off in Knoydart

2010-04-22T12:33:00.009+01:00

Cuba, faced with a food crisis as a result of blockades, turned inward to self-reliance. Sustainable agriculture, organic farming, urban gardens, smaller farms, animal traction, and biological pest control all became part of the new Cuban agriculture . In some cities, up to 80% of the food requirements are grown within the confines of the city through organic production from community plots. On a smaller scale communities around Scotland are looking to more sustainable food practices.
In this guest blog, Gwen Barrell, the Project Officer for Knoydart's Powerdown project reports on plans for their their Community Garden project funded throug the Climate Challenge Fund.

The costs of bringing fresh food into the area is expensive both in terms of haulage costs and “food miles”. The project will enable the community to reduce its carbon footprint by up to 9 tonnes of carbon dioxide saved in the reduction of food transport miles.

The funding will be used to employ a community gardener for a year to work with local residents to create a community garden on the site of the former market garden, and to provide training and advice in growing produce.

Sam Gardener has been appointed as the community gardener and is looking forward to the challenges and rewards ahead. “I am excited about the prospect of bringing this area of land back into use for community benefit.”

Deer fencing, tools, equipment, seeds and training events will also be covered from the grant. Twelve community members have already signed up to have their own little veg patch with the community garden and many others are keen to come and help out with communal tasks.

One of our ideas is to have a carbon neutral community Burns Supper in 2011. We’ll grow all our own neeps and tatties in the garden this year.

“It’s crazy to be importing fruit and vegetables when we could grow them closer to home,” said Aaran Watson, Community Director of Knoydart Foundation and local school teacher. “As an Eco School we will also be interested in joining in with the project and learning more about gardening.”

In order to reduce our carbon footprint even further, the funding will also enable the community to pilot an electric quad bike and trailer for moving things like compost and vegetables around. As Knoydart already has its own renewable electricity the quad bike will be recharged on green electricity.

A few volunteer events have already been held in the garden, to clear rubbish, remove old fencing, and repair a polytunnel. Community members have attended three volunteer sessions, and we benefited over the Easter holidays from John Muir Trust volunteers who cleared a stretch of fencing from debris, enabling trees to be pruned and new ones planted to create a windbreak.

This week, potatoes, herbs, onions and a variety of green vegetables and herbs have been planted out of doors, under cloches and within the polytunnel. Compost bins have been arriving on the ferry, and gardeners have been eying up the horse manure from the Foundation’s stalking ponies!

There will be a few opportunities for others to find out what’s going on – we hope to have a presence at the Road to the Isles Agricultural Show on 12th June, there is a guided walk taking in the Knoydart Community Garden on 28th July and there is a fantastic Crafts and Produce Day being planned for Saturday 28th August.

Knoydart Foundation’s Community Powerdown Project is working within the community on a range of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions – as well as the garden and electric quad project, we have a number of other initiatives “in the pipeline” and other events coming up, which we will report on shortly. More info: gwen@knoydart.org www.knoydart-foundation.com

Within the UK it has been estimated that we import more than 90% of our fruit and 38% of our vegetables and that food accounts for around 19% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions - though most of the emisssions come from use of chemicals rather than 'food miles'.

Would growing more locally make a difference? Do you have examples of what might work or is working in your area?

Sparking a debate about transport

2010-04-15T11:04:00.015+01:00

As air transport grinds to a halt over the UK today, following volcanic activity in Iceland, my thoughts turned to a recent link sent by Stevan Lockhart, project officer for Assynt Renewables. One of the challenges they face there, along with other rural communities, is that of transport on the ground.

In rural and remote areas public transport on its own is rarely a realistic option. I know. I have tried to get to various places and usually it has required a car for part of the journey - either lift sharing or taking - and then leaving a car somewhere en route. Otherwise it would take me two days to get to most John Muir Trust properties.

Transport as a sector accounts for over a quarter of the total energy consumed in Scotland. Approximately 99% of the energy consumed in the transport sector comes directly from oil-based fuels, such as petrol and diesel, with the remaining 1% from electricity. As Stevan points out in his article, there were battery powered buses operating in Brazil in 1883! Yet, progress on this front has been very slow.

It would seem the huge stake that the oil industry has in the continued use of fossil fuels provides part of the explanation along with the stake that the current car industry has in the status quo. Interesting to note that the main manufacturers of electric cars today are new companies rather than traditional car manufacturing companies.

The big question is can the alternatives deliver for rural areas?

The range that electric cars can cover before needing to be recharged is probably the key limiting factor for rural areas alongside the cost. They are fine for small islands like Eigg who have an electric bus or places like Knoydart where they are piloting an electric quad bike and trailer for their community garden project but not for long distances.

Hydrogen fuel cells also have some way to go - cost again being a major factor - though work is under way on the Western Isles.

Bio-fuel can be problematic as it is not efficient to use land this way - though as a previous article from North Harris Trust showed, waste vegetable oil can provide a solution on a small local scale.

The Scottish Government's recently released Low Carbon Plan proposes that there are key opportunities to improve Scotland's transport infrastructure, including vehicle charging points, planning in favour of public transport and increased choice of public transport options. All solutions that target urban areas more effectively, yet 95% of Scotland's land mass is rural with some 18% of the population living in rural areas.

Meantime, as they argue in the plan, changing patterns of travel, including reducing travel will be needed. Easier said than done in rural communities so, perhaps as a minimum, we can follow the Energy Savings Trust top 10 ten tips to smarter driving .

Alternatively, a liftshare scheme may work. Comrie in rural Perthshire has established a liftshare scheme exclusively for the local community. This makes it more likely people will take part and share transport. You don't need to own a car to take part.

Do you have thoughts or experiences to share of moving towards a lower carbon transport system in rural areas?

The challenge of heating our homes

2010-04-06T14:41:00.008+01:00

I listened to David Mackenzie, who chairs the microrenewables working group, speak the other day about the challenges faced by the Scottish Government in trying to meet the targets set of generating 11% of heat from renewable sources by 2020.

Renewable Heat is simply heat (rather than electricity) produced from renewable sources such as biomass( usually wood), ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, water source heat pumps, solar heating, wind to heat, geothermal, heat from waste biomass, anaerobic digestion and landfill gas.

Domestic use accounts for around fifty percent of the total heat energy required in Scotland. In order for Scotland to meet its renewable heat targets there need to be around 25,000 households adopting renewable heat per annum between now and 2020. Only 1000 households installed renewable heat into their homes last year. So that leaves something of a gap....

One of the barriers emerging - surprise, surprise is accreditation.

The current system requires that you use an accredited installer, if you are to receive a grant or be able to tap into the renewable heat incentives when they come on stream next year. Seems reasonable. Quality control for public money. However, like the accreditation scheme for insulation, the demands of the scheme operated from London are such that it is an expensive affair to become accredited.

We have been investigating putting in a log boiler into the properties on Skye held by the Trust. One person I spoke to serving the islands reckoned that it had cost him around £20,000 to become accredited, between the the cost of the training itself, the days of lost work and travel etc. So, it is little surprise that when it comes to installing, those who are accredited need to recoup their costs.

Not surprisngly there is a dearth of accredited installers and yet most of the skills required are basic plumbing skills. A survey by the Energy Savings Trust found that 90% of those surveyed go to a local plumnber when they required work done. Imagine the difference if most local plumbers were accredited. Not only is the work kept local but the local skill set is enhanced and best of all the knowledge and enthusiasim for alternative systems is locally available. I would be much more likely to think about a system recommended by a local tradesperson I trust rather than a stranger. As a result of this accredited process, installers charge considerably more to install renewable heat plant than those who are not accredited so any grant from the government is effectively ‘lost’ as it costs more than the grant available to use an accredited installers – thus adding to the barriers.

The solution seems straight forward. Find a way to accredit our local plumbers. Not so hard as it may seem as, according to Mr Mackenzie, the standards set in Scotland for training our plumbers are high and surpass much of the standards set through the London based MCS(Microgeneration Certification Scheme). Renewable heat is a devolved matter so this can be tackled in Scotland.

The picture of the log stove is taken from the website 'Biomass - all you need to know' with permission from the from Woodfuel Wales

Insulation makes an instant difference

2010-04-01T10:13:00.015+01:00

With the winter conditions returning again - those in poorly insulated properties will have been reminded of the impact of heat loss.

In the last blog I spoke of finally sorting out the insulation problem for a property on Skye.

These infra-red pictures show what the property looked like before any insulation was put in. We have still to take the 'after' pictures. The more white/yellow the pictures have in them - the more heat that is being leaked. You can see this is a very leaky place - with the walls even worse than the loft!

I've asked Drew - who lives in the property and fitted the insulation - to describe his experience of doing this.

"One of the problems with older houses, especially stone-built houses, is their failure to conform to modern standards of efficiency. In a quest to improve this we are currently engaged in a number of improvements which should see us warm and cosy through next winter as well as costing us much less and reducing our carbon footprint considerably.

The first and easiest task took us to the roof space to improve the loft insulation. The old loft insulation was very threadbare and rather patchy, indeed, there were some parts of the loft with no cover at all. What existing insulation there was consisted of ancient rockwool type which was beginning to de-nature and was nowhere deeper than 50mm. This was covered with a layer of dust and vermin droppings.

The loose fibres and dust make a good quality respirator essential. Other essentials for putting new loft insulation in an old house: a pair of big, sharp scissors, overalls and illumination (I found a head torch to be the most useful). A few boards are also very useful and knee pads make the job much more comfortable. If you don’t like cobwebs in your hair, wear a hat!

Tip of the day – put a large dust sheet under your ladder – the amount of mess which falls from the hatch is remarkable!

When installing, apart from it being a pretty unpleasant job, there are very few pitfalls. The two main things to watch out for are the electrics and airflow.

To make sure your electrics stay safe all cables must be put on top of the insulation and that you must cut around light fittings to allow any heat to escape. If the cable is too tight to get the roll of insulation under simply cut the roll at the cable and start rolling out again.

Airflow is critical in an older house so that you don’t get a build up of moisture. Make sure your insulation roll end does NOT butt up to the roof. Always leave a gap to allow air from the walls to circulate. If you don’t, extreme cases can lead to dry rot.

It’s not complicated, even if it is hard on the knees and it makes an instant difference to your comfort levels and fuel bills. Insulate your loft today, there are a number of grant schemes running and some very good offers at the major DIY stores."

DIY is not for everyone. For many older people ( over 70) it is free to get insulation put in through the Energy Savings Trust check first though and call 0800 512 012. Communities who organise to have insulation installed across an area can usually get a better deal. Energy conservation is the most effective way to reduce our carbon footprint so save yourself some money and make your heat go further if you have not already done so.

insulation, insulation, insulation

2010-03-17T10:14:00.013Z

You may recall me moaning about the trials and tribulations of trying to source insulation for two properties on Skye.

Well the journey continued and this included the tenant of one the properties getting an energy audit done through the Energy Savings Trust.

The recommendation from them was that it was cheaper to do it yourself.

Before deciding whether to go down the DIY route or get someone in - I checked out a suggestion from North Harris to contact the company that worked alongside TEAS the Energy Advisory Service for the Western Isles.

Last year the Scottish Government announced a Home Insulation Scheme where 10 areas across Scotland were to be targetted for improving insulation for householders in a focused way. The Western Isles was one of the designated pilot areas. A tendering process then got underway and contractors were appointed. What used to be a local set up with a Stornaway based company working closely with TEAS had changed:

The company appointed comes from Sheffield. Yes that place that is a quick hop, skip and a jump to the Western Isles. Essentially the bar is set so high for insulation contracts that only the big boys get to play. To be in the frame at all you need to be accredited. This effectively makes it impossible for a small company to compete as we are talking thousands of pounds to achieve this. What is lost in the process is the local knowledge and willingness to work on the more difficult properties.

The evidence is clear that the big insulation companies go for the easy fix properties: I attended a meeting of three communities in Perthshire of Comrie, Letham and Alyth who have been down this route working from a bottom up rather than top down basis. They tried desperately to appoint local contractors and are now picking up the peices from being forced into using one of the big boys. The big companies motive is profit so they look for the quick returns. Smaller companies look for profit too but when they are local so the imperative to do a good job is stronger and the willingness to be flexible is greater as it is their long-term livilihood at stake. There is a suggestion that this message may be starting to percolate in government quarters. The second round will soon be underway for the Home Insulation Scheme. Will they have listened? Who knows.

Meantime - the choice for insulating properties on Skye was either to get a company from Sheffield in to do the work or do it ourselves. We opted for the latter and bought insulating material from a local company on Skye.

More of this in the next blog.

FIT like

2010-03-02T12:54:00.014Z

I attended training recently run by Community Energy Scotland (see document library then presentations) looking at how communities can generate revenue from renewable energy sources.

It can be a fraught area and sometimes divisive for communities as well as requiring a lot of time, energy and money. Many communities in the highlands and islands have taken the gamble of going down this route as one way to sustain themselves into the future. They have pioneered approaches so that the ride is a little smoother for those that follow.

The recent announcement about the Feed In Tariffs (FITs) mean the incentives to install renewables for income generation are now much stronger. Essentially FITs will be introduced on 1st April 2010. They will provide financial rewards for people, communities and businesses to install electricity-generating technologies. These include solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, hydro power, anerobic digestion and small scale combined heat and power plants.

Such 'feed in' systems have been on the go on in various part so of the world for some time now and they have generally been seen as an effective way to increase the amount of energy coming from renewables.

Under this system there is a guarantee of a minimum payment for the electricity generated as well as the electricity exported to grid. Payment is guaranteed over at least a 20 year period for most technologies. So what is the catch?

There are a few things as some communities are finding out:

Forget refurbishing

Catrine Community Trust found to their cost in planning a hydro scheme for their conservation village that they would not gain any income if they used a refurbished generator - even though the efficiency difference is only 7%. So much for the the notion of reusing and recycling.....and I wonder what the embodied carbon is of a brand new machine...

Installed before July 2009 and over 50kw doesn't count
Some of the early pioneers are essentially penalised though the smaller schemes are OK. ROCs (Renewable Obligation Certificates) may be an option if schemes had already registered for this but the flat rate is nowhere near as generous as FITs.

Accredited installers and products
You need to use accredited installers and products. Sounds fair enough, however there are not too many to be found in the remoter communities and inevitably costs are higher. The accreditation process for installers just now is a major financial commitment making it difficult for small local businesses to contemplate. This is apparently being looked at higher up the government tree.

Anything else?
Domestic installations which received a grant will still be eligible for FITs in Scotland. Non-domestic installations (charities, schools communities and other not-for-profit organisations) which received a grant under LCBP-2 after 15 July 2009, have the choice of either:

• retaining their grant and not being eligible for FITs;

• or repaying their grant and claiming FITs.

Those who received a LCBP-2 grant before 15th July cannot claim FITs. However, up to 31st march 2010 they may be able to apply to Ofgem for a ROC, to qualify for the lower tariff of 9p/kWh, as well as the 3p/kWh export tariff.

For many householders there is still the issue of raising the capital. Though interest free loans are available it is a thought in these days of financial uncertainty to commit to any sort of debt.

At the end of the day we still also have to look to reducing our energy use through conservation measures and energy efficiency measures. Still the cheapest way to line your pocket. Meanwhile for communities - many will strive to find a way forward that will unite rather than divide them and it is my hope at least that there is a way of harnessing energy - without costing the earth.

Community Woodlands: Sustaining heating; sustaining rural communities

2010-02-19T08:47:00.008Z

With some 50% of the carbon emissions in the UK coming from heating - a move to a more renewable source makes sense - so it is encouraging news that the Forestry Commission have just announced that the threshold costs for planting trees has been increased from £250,000 to £750,000. But who will gain from this?

I listened to a presentation in my own community the other night about the benefits of 'biomass' or 'wood fuel' for heating energy. They were compelling and it struck me that above all other forms of renewable energy this is a sustainable one for rural communities IF the trees that are felled are replaced and IF there is some control over where felled trees end up. So that would point to communities owning woodland or being in partnership with other landowners. The danger if they do not do this is that large tracts of forest will be grown with a single objective in mind - as we have seen in the past - but more importantly the wood may not remain local.

As the Government moves towards meeting it ambitious Climate Change targets it is likely to move towards large scale wood fuelled biomass power plants. Look around the coast of Britain and you will find planning permission is being sought for such developments across the land. Already EON have a plant - Stevens Croft up and running in Lockerbie. Once commissioned, the energy providers will have the buying power that makes it attractive for landowners to trade directly with them unless the raison d'etre is more than the profit motive. So all the money going into reafforestation just now may be of scant benefit to rural communities. There will be little say in the kind of planting that happens or the destination of any produce. Yet wood can really help to keep the pound local and increase the viability of rural communities if what is grown locally stays locally.

Discussions with residents in Skye recently have emphasised that many people want to see more woodlands that meet diverse objectives including biodiversity, recreational aims and employment as well as wood fuel. Judicious planting can result in an enhanced landscape and a valuable resource for all. It seems ironic then that the one body in Scotland - Community Woodlands Association - that supports community woodlands faces a funding crisis. Beyond the summer, due the current financial climate, the ability of CWA to provide current levels of support to community woodland groups is in doubt. One of their members has put together a really inspiring video Wha's Like Us? This inspirational poem, written and perfomed by Eoin Cox reflects on the cultural contribution of community woodlands across Scotland.

Abriachan Community Trust exemplify what is possible when communities invest in woodland. In 1998 the community purchased 534 hectares of forest and open hill ground from Forest Enterprise(Now Forestry Commission Scotland). Since then, as a social enterprise, the Abriachan Forest Trust has managed this land to create local employment, improve the environment and encourage it's enjoyment by the public through a network of spectacular paths, family suited mountain bike trails and innovative education opportunities. Thanks to their continuous cover thinning, they also have seasoned firewood available and are planting for the future. The firewood operation raises funds to sustain other activities.

Rural communities have a golden opportunity now to build a sustainable energy source for the future that can also enhance the landscape, increase biodiversity, increase recreational options as well as provide local employment - if they gain some control of land or work in partnership with sympathetic landowners.

The big green challenge - small is beautiful

2010-01-14T16:52:00.009Z

Congratulations to the Isle of Eigg who have jointly won the NESTA Big Green Challenge along with two other community groups from other parts of the UK. Evidence that small is beautiful. They now have £300,000 to further their endeavours and spread the word.

Those who attended the event we held at Sconser over a year ago were inspired by the commitment and down to earth approach of the community of Eigg. We heard about how they have moved to almost 100% renewable energy - and of how the whole island had agreed to a cap of 5 kw per household. Step over it and you have a reconnection fee to pay. In addition Householders’ lives have been transformed through insulation projects, lift sharing has increased massively and other measures taken to cut the amount of fossil fuels shipped onto the island.

Often I hear people say - but they are an island - it is easier to do - they are a small set up. However, what is most inspiring I think about what they have done is to engage with everyone on the island and far beyond. Their ' islands going green' project has inspired thousands beyond the island to take action - including the John Muir Trust. At a recent gathering of John Muir Trust staff we looked amongst other things at what Eigg had done and their simple approach was used to prompt discussion which is following through into action - more of which will be reported later. The key seems to be that by working at a 'human scale' and having fun on the way, it is easier to get buy in.

Small can indeed be beautiful though not without its difficulties. Communities are often subjected to the same rigorous processes as large companies as various communities have experienced. This means a lot of time and effort can go into getting something off the ground and sometime to no avail. It is disappointing for North Harris to have concluded after their long and diligent work that the wind turbines they have both secured permission and funding for will not be viable because of the weather conditions -ironically too much wind hampers production as well as too little.

Meantime the large scale developments look set to proceed with Muaitheahal Wind Farm in South Lewis being approved as well as the Beauly Denny line. It is interesting to note that Schumacher's well known book - 'Small is Beautiful' - is subtitled 'The Study Of Economics As If People Mattered'. Now that would be a novel approach to development. Time will tell if the Eigg approach or the big company approach is the better for us all. I know where my betting would lie.

Copenhagen - the road ahead starts at your front door

2009-12-22T16:21:00.006Z

A thoughtful guest blog from Stevan Lockhart -Project Officer for Assynt Renewables

On the news pages of the Assynt Renewables website, we did not report at all on the build-up or process of the Copenhagen conference as news about it was everywhere. They even counted how many leaders arrived in electric vehicles. Copenhagen seemed to be item number one on the agenda for such a long time. Now here we are, wondering exactly what happened and whether it’s been a good thing or a bad one, a missed opportunity or a good start. Were we misled by all the expectation that grew in its run-up, with headlines such as “Road to Copenhagen,” which now seems to have resulted only in a general agreement that we should all do better? It seems to have been an example of a complex issue dissected to the point of simplicity, which turns out to be complex after all.

Summary: Coming at this time in the history of humankind leaves us struggling to understand the complexities that go to make up what happened at the Copenhagen Accord. But concentrating too much on this one event leaves us distracted from the things that matter. And these are things that we as individuals can do something about.

We are left with more questions than before, though at least now there is no illusory silver bullet of “Copenhagen” sorting everything out. Conveniently released details of scientific squabbling made us wonder whether we are being hoodwinked by climatologists trying to make a name for themselves, or hoodwinked by nay-sayers trying to establish their own scientific proofs.

Claims that soot in the upper atmosphere is “worse” than carbon dioxide for global warming have been thrown in too. China and India are portrayed as the big problems, when we in the West, and America in particular, are far worse offenders, the finger pointing looking, even to the least intellectual, like the distraction it is. In this instance, the BBC, for example, did and does itself no favours for purported impartiality, rigorously favouring our own point of view.

There were those saying that every nation on the planet had to agree to change its ways with immediate effect no matter what the other consequences and there were those saying that the required changes to systems of government would amount to a global police force and global government to make Orwell’s 1984 look like a feelgood romance. For them, Copenhagen’s “failure” comes as a relief. And there were those saying simplistically that reductions in our carbon emissions would solve the problem while others said that global warming has nothing to do with carbon.

On the other hand, as Roger Harrabin has reports, “If the climate was a bank they would have saved it, said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. But it is not. And they have not.”

But none of this matters.

Forget the climate. The fundamental issue, which has not yet been addressed in any way, is the basic fact that we simply consume to much of the planet’s resources. Much of what is proposed, increased use of renewable energy, electric vehicles etc, may be considered to be window dressing. Magic schemes such as carbon sequestration and other technological wonders are held out as “just around the corner.” We simply need technology to solve all our problems. But the reality is different.

As was re-iterated in “The Big Debate” on BBC Scotland on 16th December, if everyone alive right now lived the way we do, we would need two planet Earths to supply the resources we use. That is the problem. We simply use too much, and we do not understand that we have now hit the limits.

So why can’t we act? Why do we find it so much more attractive to head blindly along a path that, deep down, we know leads to destruction? It is, one suspects, because we humans are so poor at recognising risk. Take an obvious example, our response, in the UK at any rate, to modern crime.

We have signed away many of our liberties because of our perceptions of the modern danger of acts of terror, yet the danger posed by the the biggest killer by far, the car and fast road transport, we simply have processes such as the largely ignored NCAP safety ratings. Our response is stupidly disproportionate; it seems as though we have no logical ability to tell real from perceived threats.

We need a massive event, some cataclysm, to indicate to us the trouble we are in. Scientists graphs do not move us to action. And the proof of that is global response to the banking failure. Here, in spite of all the climate and energy related improvements which we are told we can’t achieve because of economics, we found the ability, within weeks, to spend amounts of money the size of which we can’t even understand.

So until something happens, like the North Atlantic Drift stopping flowing, creating some massive and unignorable event, we will continue in our international bickering; we do not realise that the times have changed.

We should heed voices like E.F.Schumaker, who wrote a long time before climate change became the issue of the day:-

To talk about the future is useful only if it leads to action now. And what can we do now, while we are still in a position of ‘never having had it so good?’

And that’s the issue. At a time when politicians should be showing leadership, we see the effects of the expenses scandals, leading us to questions their real motives. When we are told things need to change dramatically, the most dramatic change of which we are aware is the amount we are having to pay anonymous bankers. And at this time, we have the backdrop of the Iraq enquiry further introducing doubt into our minds about how well politicians have our best interests at heart.

We have “mechanisms,” like carbon trading, which, it seems, are simply there to enrich a small proportion and which, it seems, are used in a very different way to their intention, rather than achieving their real aim.

But, says Schumaker, we can make a difference. If we start behaving differently ourselves. If we as individuals put our own ethics first, rather than pre-fabricated ethics from news services or corporate PR. If we question, ourselves and how we live. If we start at home.

Communities aren’t always geographic groups of people. Sometimes communities are simply individuals who happen to be going in the same direction. And groups of communities may make up a groundswell Groundswells can change the world.

But what can I do? Some excellent examples can be found on the World Wildlife Fund website at http://www.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/change_how_you_live/

Understand how much you consume. The WWF has a tool here http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ which can tell you how many Earths would be required for everyone to live the way you do.

Save energy. Don't assume the way you've used energy in the past is a point to aim for in the future.

Decide carefully whether or not to buy things. Good advice in troubled economic times too.

Consider how much, why and how you travel. Can you make better choices?

Examine your diet, the food you eat and where you get it.

Well what about Copenhagen? Has it put us on the right road? Perhaps not. So forget the possibility of some immense change in life that gets thrust on you. Initiate change for yourself. Do something, even if it’s just changing your mind. Take some of the above ideas, or generate some of your own. Set some standards for yourself. Once that process starts, by ones, twos, hundreds, thousands and millions, Copenhagen’s best outcomes will be dwarfed, and who knows, the world may well be a better place tomorrow.

Virgin Oil from North Harris

2009-12-08T10:25:00.015Z

Thanks to David Wake, Energy Development Officer from North Harris Trust for this guest blog.

I feel like a proud father after the birth of his first child. Today I have my first batch of Biodiesel –and it looks good enough to drink!

Way back in July, the North Harris Trust started collecting waste vegetable oil. We opened up a Community Recycling Site in the summer and thought this would be a good project for the two part-time staff, during the long winter months when the site has fewer visitors. The first purchase was a 1000 litre IBC container (after we’d exhausted all our fish farm contacts) to build up a stock of oil. This has always been the greatest uncertainty for me. Harris only has a handful of hotels and bars that use cooking oil, so stocks are limited. Most proprietors are just glad to see the back of the oil. The official route for disposal is an 80 mile round trip to the Municipal Waste site –and a fee for disposal. So when the Trust offered to take the oil, they were very happy to oblige. The only catch though, is that there are a few enlightened individuals who are also making Biodiesel for their own consumption. The proprietors say “first come first served” so there are no guarantees on the source of raw material for our little process.

After a brief conversation with Community Energy Scotland, I made contact with a handful of other trail-blazing communities. I spoke to people already making their own road fuel in Uist, Lanark, Orkney and Eigg to find out how difficult it was. If you look on YouTube on the web, then there are guys in America mixing up chemicals in their back yard, with home-made equipment. After many questions, I finally made contact with Green Fuels who make the Fuelpod range of covertors. Their product is self contained and looked to me to be one of the safest. They also supply all the bits and pieces that you need to go with the machine, from chemicals to test equipment. I actually ordered my Fuelpod2 through a community development trust in Lanarkshire. They are fuelling a fleet of community mini-buses from their machine. They gave me the re-assurance I needed to start making fuel and were very patient with me. As an agent for Green Fuels, they also put money back into their community from my purchase.

Prior to ordering, I did try to seek funding for the project. Be aware that some of the larger climate change funds don’t want to see any benefits to local business. They need carbon savings for the man on the street. That one was difficult for me to justify. I was lucky enough to convince my Directors that I could achieve a 2 year payback on their investment and so self-funded the equipment.

After 4 months, and the end of the summer tourist season, we have amassed a stock of just under 1000l of sieved oil. This will make enough Biodiesel for a year’s worth of Trust motoring. With oil in hand, I set about making my first fuel. The process is quite simple. It involves mixing the waste vegetable oil with methanol and a liquid catalyst. All this is done in sealed containers. After an hour of reaction, and an overnight settling, hey presto, you have biodiesel. It’s quite amazing how the biodiesel separates from a thick treacle-like Glycerine. All you have to do then is pour off the glycerine and filter the biodiesel to take out any impurities. By the end of day 2, we had 50 litres of what almost looks like a good malt whisky.

The Trust runs a diesel Citroen Multispace. With some trepidation, I reversed it into the shed at the Recycling Centre to fill up for the first time. The Fuelpod has its own fuel pump –just like at a petrol station. With a full tank, I headed back to the office. I knew one of my colleagues was going out in the afternoon and needed the vehicle. A great dilemma gripped me. Do I tell, or do I keep quiet and wait to see if there are any problems? The biggest issue with biodiesel is that everyone says it works and that there are no problems running it in standard diesel cars and vans. There are no guarantees though. The manufacturers of the machines will say that it’s difficult to maintain a standard of quality when you make such small batches. Speaking to all those other community groups that are making it – they’ll all say “We run it in all sorts of cars, with no problem” but there’s still no guarantees. My plan is to blend it with standard “fossil” diesel initially and reduce the mix as time goes by.

It’s a simple process – and if you can secure yourself a stock of waste oil you can be saving up to eighty pence a litre whilst significantly reducing your carbon footprint. So why isn’t everyone doing it?
http://greenfuels.co.uk/product/fuelpod-2.aspx
http://www.ruraldevelopmenttrust.co.uk/

Think global - act local

2009-12-03T16:52:00.009Z

As the big guns are gathering in Copenhagen to deliberate on the state of the planet, a dedicated group of people are holding vigil in Trafalgar Square in London where they are holding a climate camp. There is also an Ice Bear that is rapidly melting in the square - despite the cold. I happened to be in London over the weekend and saw this poignant symbol of the issues we face.

The Ice Bear seemed dwarfed at times by the grand surroundings and crowds and that for me reflected how it can feel when thinking about climate change. What is agreed to ( or not agreed to) globally over the next few days will potentially dictate our futures. The nations of the world are deciding what commitments they will make to lower their carbon emissions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Many fear that the leadership will not be strong enough to take the measures that many scientists say need to be taken to avert the worst impacts of climate change. It is easy to feel that we have little control in these world wide affairs but what is heartening is the commitment and effort being put in at a local level within many communities.

Last week saw the announcement of another round of Climate Challenge funded projects. It is inspirational to see what is happening at a community level. Many of the communities that the John Muir Trust works alongside have successfully applied to the Climate Challenge fund for support either through the Powerdown Initiative supported by Community Energy Scotland, or independently.

There are a couple of interesting intiatives being funded in this latest round. One is a bid by Comrie Development Trust in Perthshire to mirror the Governments Climate Change Delivery Plan at a local level. This entails intially carrying out feasibility studies to see what is possible in terms of looking at electricity, heat, transport, land use and waste. Comrie have also added in attiudes and behaviour change which interestingly is missing from the Governments plan.

Another interesting initiative is based in Glen Lyon. Here they are looking to see if it is possible to fuel houses in the future from locally sourced wood through expanding the current wood supply and investigating options for coppicing. The area met its own fuel needs some hundred or so years ago so learning from the past may give clues to the future. It is hoped the scheme will be able to revive traditional skills, promote wildlife, create employment, and save money.

If you have an idea in your community for reducing your carbon footprints need you need to get your ideas to grant administrators - Keep Scotland Beautiful- by 13th Jan 2010 for the next panel at the end of Feb. Be aware though. ....It can take quite some time from a panel decision to announcement by a minister if you are successful in gaining a grant. This can have implications for some projects will be even more crucial as the timescale for the fund decreases. It is due to finish in March 2011 and it is not yet clear if an initiative which has allowed many communities to act locally on a global issue will continue. Now that would be a good Christmas present from the Government.

Galson Estate Powering Down

2009-11-25T10:49:00.010Z

Kirsty MacLennan is the Powerdown Project Officer for the Galson Estate, North Lewis. In this guest post she describes the work taking place on the estate to reduce carbon usage.

Community Energy Scotland (CES), Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) and 27 community groups came together to form the Community Powerdown consortium. The consortium was successful in a bid to secure £1.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund for the first phase of a coordinated effort to achieve carbon reduction projects and behaviour change within the participating communities.

I (Kirsty Maclennan) am the Powerdown Project Officer for the Galson Estate Trust with the main aim to reduce carbon emission in the area, by increasing energy efficiency within the community. The average British household spends £620 on energy bills during the winter, about £200 more than an energy efficient home. Insulating your home is key to reducing your energy bills and carbon emissions, loft insulation acts as a blanket, trapping rising heat from the house below. If you currently have no insulation and you install the recommended 270mm depth you could save around £150 a year on your heating bills and around 800kg of CO2 per year. Also insulating cavity walls could save you around £115 a year on your fuel bills and 610 kg of CO 2.

The way people use and conserve energy in the home is set to be revolutionised in Scotland with the offer of free energy audits, advice on becoming more energy efficient and free or discounted loft and cavity insulations. This is great news as this service is now available to 8506 houses throughout Lewis and Harris, which should reduce fuel poverty which is a major concern for householders in the Galson Estate Trust area. Due to this scheme being announced a couple of months ago, we looked at the insulation scheme that we had planned and we are now thinking of different ways such as domestic renewable energy that can help reduce fuel poverty while still working with Energy Saving Trust on this new scheme.

As well as looking at insulation I am looking at developing the Community Market and increasing local food production, we have had several markets so far. They have been very successful showing interest from both producers and buyers which was very positive. We ran a Community Market every second Saturday until the end of October. We have looked at developing allotments however we believe it is not the lack of land that is stopping people from growing their own fruit and vegetables it is know-how, so we are at the moment looking for people who are willing to train and educate people on how to grow their own vegetable.

On Friday 30th October we helped to host a low carbon lunch in the local hall for 44 local senior citizens. The lunch was held as part of the CSV’s annual Make a Difference event and the Julie and Kirsty teamed up with the Local Volunteer Centre to organise and host the lunch. The lunch was designed to follow on from the success of the community markets and all the ingredients for the meals served were sourced from the estate area with donations of meat, fish and vegetables coming from local crofters. As well as the lunch a number of local agencies had information available about resources that may be available to help people make their homes more energy efficient as reduce their food waste in order to reduce their Carbon footprint.

Education is extremely important in all areas, the third area which I work on is educating people in energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, I have produced a leaflet that will be distributed to all the 900 houses within our estate this contain simple steps to saving money, saving energy and saving the environment such as turning your thermostat down by 1 degree could cut your energy bill by 10% and using energy saving light bulbs which lasts up to 12 times longer than an ordinary light bulb and can save £590 over the lifetime of all the bulbs.

We are also working with schools and have arranged for eco-drama to come up in November to do a couple of shows and workshops in the eco-schools in the estate, before this we are hoping to get the children thinking of renewable energy and energy efficient measure within the estate and afterwards as a follow up have a quiz with a energy efficient prize.

If you have any enquiries or helpful information don’t hesitate to get in touch:
Tel:01851810825 email: kirsty@uogltd.com

Diverse aims - managing woods for the future

2009-11-12T09:36:00.012Z

Last year various communities associated with the John Muir Trust met at Sconser on the Isle of Skye and considered the resources available to sustain themselves into the future. Wood was identified as one resource that could support community energy needs in the future as it is carbon neutral.

Following up on this idea we met with residents from Strathaird and Torrin estates on Skye a few weeks ago. The Trust is considering its plan for the woodlands on the estates over the next 20 years. One possibility is to support a sustainable wood fuel supply for the future - in which case planting soon is essential.

Drafting up a plan presents opportunities for those with an interest in the woodlands to become involved. Although selling Trust land to the community or an individual is not an option - some form of joint management or partnerships could be considered.

Jake Willis from the Community Woodlands Association and an experienced forester, provided examples of how communities were able to meet diverse and multiple objectives in managing woodlands if they incorporated these at the outset. For instance it is possible to plant trees for wood fuel that also allows for a network of paths for leisure/recreation purposes and increased biodiversity in addition to providing local employment. Communities across Scotland have managed woodlands through a variety of approaches – sometimes owning wood, sometimes leasing it, sometimes in partnership with another organisation. On Knoydart, the Forest Trust there have been developing the woodlands with diverse aims in mind including managing the mixed woodlands around the Inverie village to provide locally useful timber, diversity of habit and access for the public. North Harris Trust have been experimenting with growing wood for biomass.

After some lively discussions we got maps out and people started plotting the ‘wish list’ for the future. Key themes (from two meetings) were:

Increased leisure use of woodlands including: extending the path networks; incorporating walks that are child friendly with picnic benches and good in wet/wild weather; considering wooden sculptures and involving children in design of these
Using woods for cycling, walking and recreation
Planting for biodiversity and wildlife
Interest in a continued wood fuel supply - with a move over time to hard wood
An interest in fruit trees and orchards
Using of woods for education and history (there is a deserted village and other historical artefacts in the area).

There were contrasting approaches about how crofters viewed trees planting. On the one hand we heard about examples of how crofters had grown trees successfully - supported through the Crofter Forestry Schemes. On the other hand there was strong opposition from some to planting any trees on any croft land. It is of course for crofters to decide whether to plant on croft land or not but I do feel it is possible to find some common ground between opposing views.

Timber!

2009-11-05T15:17:00.011Z

Recently we have had discussions with residents on Strathaird and Torrin estates on Skye about the future of the John Muir Trust woodlands there. This included a visit by children at Elgol Primary to look at the woodlands and see how wood becomes fuel (there are options for looking at a sustainable supply for the future).
Here is what the children and staff thought of the trip - which included cutting down a tree and turning it into a log for fuel

Hello – Elgol Primary here!
From the children:

Thank you very much, John Muir Trust, for taking us for the walk in the woods. We really enjoyed learning about the wildlife in the woods – things like deer, frogs, worms and even hedgehogs in Torrin.

We found out about native trees like rowan, silver birch, holly, hazel & willow. The guessing game was great fun because we learned lots about animals. It was brilliant to be out of the classroom in the fresh air on such a lovely sunny afternoon. The midges didn’t bother us because we were having so much fun!
Molly & Kirsty P6

Hello! Thanks, JMT, for a lovely afternoon!
I thought it was fun when Ali cut down the tree because I have never seen a tree being cut down in real life, SO COOL!

From Lorna, the class room assistant:

As classroom assistant at Elgol Primary School, one of the “perks” of the job is that I am generally the member of staff who gets to accompany the pupils on outdoor visits. I’m always extremely happy to don my wellies and waterproof jacket and escape from the confines of the classroom and the office!

On Thursday 8 October, Miss McDougall and I had the opportunity to do just this. We accompanied Primary 4-7 on a visit to the John Muir Trust’s woodlands at Keppoch near Strathaird with Alasdair MacPherson and Mike Blunt. Mike talked to the children about wildlife, and played a guessing game with them.
We “weeded” seedling spruce trees, which the children insisted on taking home for their gardens.

One of the highlights of the visit was watching Ali expertly felling a tree.

We were all fascinated by the “Hi Ab” tractor and log bus (my 17 year old son, currently doing a Forestry Certificate at Inverness College, tells me this is what it’s called). The lucky ones helped Ali lift up huge logs with it – but unfortunately there wasn’t enough time for us all to have a go.

Next we watched the log splitter being operated. It was amazing to see how quickly tree trunks can be fed into the machine, sliced up, and fall off the end of the chute as……… logs for the fire. Naturally we all wanted a go of this too, but health and safety dictate otherwise. The children were quite happy to go home with a log for the fire, having had a healthy and interesting afternoon in the open air.

More from the children:
I also enjoyed playing the animal game. Cori P5

We went to the woods with Ali on the 8th of October - it was a nice day but the midges were really bad.

I thought the best bit about going to the woods was watching Ali cut down the tree.

The red machine cut the log and we got to take a log home. Katie P7

Hi! Finlay here! I’m P4.
We went to the Dun Ringill woods. It was really fun. Ali chopped a tree down.

The weather was sunny and midgy

I liked the trip to the wood because it was fun when we got to move the logs on the machine.

I felt a bit scared but I want to do it again. Archie, P4

Hi I’m Duncan, in P4. It was really fun when we went to the woods and we saw Ali chop down a tree, then most of us got to control the logger.

Next blog will report on what the adults think of the woodlands...........

Home loans for energy efficiency and conservation

2009-10-09T16:42:00.006+01:00

OFGEM warned today that the price of gas and electricity bills could rise as much as 60% over the next few years as energy companies make the switch to more renewable sources of energy so it is welcome news that the Scottish Government is looking at what actions it will take around energy efficiency.

Yesterday it launched its consultation document on its energy efficiency action plan. At the same time it announced a new loans scheme for home owners wanting to take energy conservation measures such as loft and wall insulation. It is all on a pilot basis but at least it is moving in the right direction.

The Highlands and Islands have a disproportionate amount of hard to heat properties which coupled with the weather conditions means heat and electricity bills are on average higher. Conserving energy is the most efficient way to make it all go further.

The loan scheme includes money for solid wall insulation - an issue with many older properties that are hard to heat. This is an issue we have been raising as it has been missing from previous schemes as walls lose even more heat than lofts.

Loans are accessed through a number of ways including if you undertake a home energy report/ audit through the Energy Saving Trust. A number of communities are looking at this in the near future including: Assynt, North Harris and Galson Trust as part of their Climate Challenge projects.

Under the new loan scheme you can borrow money (from £500 to £10,000) to:

Install cavity wall or solid wall insulation and/or loft insulation;
Install renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines, solar water heating, heat pumps, small scale hydroelectric schemes and wood fuel heating systems;
Replace old, inefficient boilers.

The energy efficiency or renewable measure funded by the loan must be recommended in one of the following documents:

Energy Performance Certificate (within the home report completed when buying, renting or selling a home);

Home energy report (produced on completion of an Energy Saving Trust Home Energy Check (HEC);

Home report on renewables and energy efficiency (completed via a home visit from an Energy Saving Scotland home renewables advisor); or

Energy Assistance Package (EAP) Stage Four managing agent letter detailing the work recommended.

You can find out more about all these documents and how to get them by calling your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012.

For more information check out the Energy Savings Trust website.

Living in an old solid wall property, running on an ancient oil boiler this is something I'll be investigating for myself.

Good for the pocket, good for the planet

2009-10-02T16:24:00.003+01:00

The nights are drawing in and across the country boilers and stoves are getting lit for the winter, so it’s not surprising that October 1st was Central Heating day. It’s not surprising either that this is the time of year when energy bills start to stack up.

Reducing heating costs is not only good for the pocket, it’s good for the planet, and there are lots of things you can do to keep warm without spending a fortune on fuel through the winter.

According to the Energy Savings Trust turning down the thermostat by one degree Celsius can shave eight per cent off heating costs.

If you are not brave enough to turn down the heating down a full degree or two in one go, try reducing the heat a small amount every day, you probably won’t notice the difference – at least until the utility bills come in. And if you have a timer, try setting it to come on half an hour later than last year.

Of course everyday energy efficiency is not just about central heating. Green Footsteps have a load of handy hints on how to keep your home cosy without impacting on your energy usage. For example, making use of thick curtains and soft furnishings for insulation, and some great ways to keep your kitchen nice and warm.

Reducing energy consumption is key to the future

2009-09-16T11:34:00.000+01:00

The Government’s new energy adviser, David MacKay, has warned that unless new sources of energy are found the country will have a power shortage by 2016.

The suggestion that the United Kingdom will face blackouts less than a decade down the line should be enough motivation to persuade the government it is time to concentrate on energy conservation. Soon we will have to address the fact that we are living unsustainably.

As a country we have a choice - either live more efficiently, or live with less. By continuing to focus on energy production, the government is attempting to spend their way out of a crisis that has been caused by excessive consumption, rather than tackling the problem head on.

As the country’s leading wild land charity, the John Muir Trust is concerned that a reckless commitment to upping the build rate of energy projects will allow huge swathes of the country to be parcelled off for land hungry renewable energy schemes without proper assessment of each development.

The delivery of a secure, sustainable and affordable energy portfolio requires a commitment to protect the local and global environment from the effects of both energy production and consumption. The country urgently needs a national energy strategy that focuses on conserving energy and on energy efficiency, as well as producing it by more sustainable means. .

As John Muir said more than 100 years ago, “Not blind opposition to progress, but opposition to blind progress.”

GREEN ISLAND FEVER!

2009-08-10T17:09:00.000+01:00

Here on the Isle of Eigg, we want to use what we've learnt along our carbon-busting journey to inspire and inform others. We've achieved loads, but our 'to-do' list continues to be added to as new ideas come along. One thing we have learnt is we're not alone; there are many communities across Scotland and beyond trying to do their bit to counteract the effects of climate change, live lighter on the planet and save cash as well as our collective futures.

Eigg is just one Green Island - but you don't need to be surrounded by water to be an island. Any small community of less than 100 folk can be a Green Island, working together to make a difference.

And why small, why less than 100? If you know who you're working with, recognise their face as well as their name, we think it's easier to achieve something together. So if you're an office, a class, a street, village or even a club of people who share an interest, you can all be Green Islands.

Whether you're trying to something small and simple, or complex and long term, by joining together and coming up with the simplest of plans, your community could be a Green Island too.

Please join us, and be listed on our website http://www.islandsgoinggreen.org/ as a Green Island. If you're already up and running, then tell us a bit about what you're up to at You Tell Us and we'll add your website to ours. If you're not sure where to begin, then we hope you find our simple Five Step Plan is a handy tool. Any questions - drop us a line!

Oh, and if you're wondering why RIP in the photo? It's Eigg Primary saying Rest in Peace to all the generators that USED to provide Eigg's electricity. Since the switch on of Eigg Electric in February 2008, our power has been courtesy of wind, sun and water. Peace, perfect peace and 24 hour power for the first time. Deep joy.

The search for installers continues

2009-07-30T11:22:00.000+01:00

Well today has proved interesting. I thought I'd go back to basics and do as recommended by the government and check out the Energy Savings Trust information. On their website I put in the postcode for the area on Skye I'm trying to find insulation for to see what grants might be available.

That was easy it came up with British Gas. I phoned their number, as on the website, and got through to Scottish Gas Wall and Loft Insulation. Good, I'm on the right track, press the correct number, listen to the dreadful music then speak to a human being. Then the fun begins.

"The Isle of Skye? Do you know if that is part of the British Isles? I'll just go and check."
My affirmation that it was part of the British Isles is ignored - back to that music. Clearly I am no longer speaking to someone from Scottish Gas as surely they would know that...

"Yes madam, it is part of the British Isles and we can help. We have a special offer on - prices have just been reduced from £250 to £199 for a typical 3 bedded semi detached property!"

Excellent I think - that is just what I'm looking for.

"We just have to fill in a form"

Piece of cake I think. As I suspect, a survey will have to be done first so I enquire as to where someone will come from to do the work. My British Gas man thinks it will be someone from Glasgow and asks innocently how far away that is. He sounds a little stunned when I inform him that this is a round trip of 400 miles and ventures that maybe there is someone closer than that.

"What was your postcode?" he enquires with a change in tone " I'll need to check this out."

More music...........

That was enough to halt proceedings.

"Oh, we don't cover there at all. You could try the Mark Group based in Glasgow."

I have already spoken to them. They, like pretty well everyone else on the list of accredited installers are part of a big chain. In this case I was told to phone their head office in Leicester to get information about a quote to Skye ( which of course would require a visit).

Meantime I had found an installer who would quote without a survey - at last a little common sense. This company, based in Stirling gave me a quote for between £650 and £750 depending on the type of insulation material used for a 3 bedded semi-detached property. How is that for an incentive to line your loft!! I wonder what the payback period would be for this easy measure.

When I enquired as to why the cost is so high, I got the answer I expected. It is primarily because of the cost and length of time required to travel from Stirling to Skye and back again. Imagine if there were local people who could do this using locally available materials...........it takes 1-2 hours to line your average loft.

On the plus side - if a community organsied a campaign for insulating lofts - it is likely they would be able, with assistance from Energy Savings Trust Scotland to get a much better deal i.e. in the region of £200 and free to some householders. Check out who can advise locally tel 0800 512 012.

Galson Trust and North Harris Trust will likely benefit from the announcement by the Government that they will insulate some homes in specific areas including Lewis and Harris but that is about as far as it goes for most of the Highlands and Islands. Isaly have successfully been down the road of getting insulation - though not with out difficulty so I'm away to find out about their experiences. The search continues....

Climate change plans and the search for installers

2009-07-22T13:23:00.000+01:00

The British Government published its UK Low Carbon Transition Plan last week for moving the UK to a low carbon economy. It looks at how to transform our power; homes and communities; workplaces and jobs; transport; farming and waste. A key aspect of this is the creation of more than 1.2 million "green jobs". This would seem to be good news for us all in this time of recession especially for smaller and more remote communities where opportunities can be limited.

Unfortunately the current system means it is unlikely any small businesses in rural communities will have a look in:

I've been searching for installers who can give me quotes for doing loft insulation work on a couple of properties on Skye. It is easy to find the correct website for the list of the 'accredited installers' but that is about as easy as it gets. If you want to get someone who is local then it seems that central Scotland is about local as it gets. A survey is needed by most in order to get a quote. That is a round trip of some 400 miles, just for a quote, before any work starts...

If you want to use a local skilled tradesperson then there is no subsidy or grant available unless they are accredited. To become accredited costs several thousand pounds. It is an onerous prospect for a small outfit, involving a considerable amount of time and it is unlikely there will be any financial return as you are then competing against the 'big boys' who can buy in bulk and provided the economies of scale. The accredited installers are all part of large companies and they can afford to go through the accreditation process.

So, in trying to reduce the carbon footprint of a building, more road miles are expended than would seem necessary as there is an 'accreditation' box to be ticked. The system is apparently in place to provide quality control. Surely that is more easily monitored if the person who did the job lives locally and you can call them back if anything needs sorted?

At a workshop on retro-fitting ( i.e. insulating existing properties rather than new build) at the recent Comrie Climate Challenge Conference one of the attendees expressed his frustration at his attempts to establish a small sustainable business using sheep's wool for insulation. The carbon footprint of this is considerably lower than the glass wool fibre and mineral wool fibre and would seem to offer opportunities for wool in an otherwise difficult market but the funding is not there to support it and as far as I can work out no-one using this material is on the accreditated list. This method is particularly good for older stone properties as it has high breathability and is a good way to use up poorer quality wool.

It would seem the time is right to ask for changes to be made. Much of the regulation is governed by OFGEM. We need to think long term so that how and what is delivered by way of energy efficiency measures really starts to support local sustainability and a low carbon future. Wouldn't it be great if the actual costs of producing something in carbon terms ( the embodied carbon) was considered as well as the cost in pounds. Then the logic of using local people and local produce would become sensible rather than cheapness being the main factor.

Whose plate will it end up on?

2009-07-10T09:57:00.000+01:00

In an increasing number of communities there is an appetite to reduce food miles and explore ways to use what is available locally. One food resource available potentially in abundance in some rural and remoter communities is deer.

It seems a simple process - kill the deer, butcher and process them locally, then sell locally.

Sadly, the venison industry is anything but simple. The growing taste for venison means that we are actually importing venison from the other side of the world with it being flown thousands of miles from New Zealand to meet the demand from processors, supermarkets and restaurants for this lean meat.

At the same time, according to Scotland on Sunday over a third of the venison produced by the £70.4 million a year industry gets sent to the continent - primarily by the game dealers – to end up being stuffed into German sausages.

Part of the problem is there are restrictions on when deer can be culled, so they are not available all year round – unless farmed. Another issue is licensing. Historically most of the deer culled has gone to licensed game dealers who can get more from exporting than selling locally ( this is the fate of much deer culled on John Muir Trust land as it is for many estates).

Investment in local butchering and processing is a costly affair. The capital costs for deer larders that meet the standards and facilities to skin the beasts make it prohibitive for many communities to look at.

So are there other ways to get local food to your plate?

The Fife Diet encourages people to sign-up to eating food from the region, monitor their progress and share their experience. They are working closely with suppliers and local farmers. The group aims to shorten the supply chain, reduce food miles, create innovative distribution services and re-localise produce. This approach is meeting with some success with some 800 people already signed up to the initiative.

In Assynt and North Lewis, thanks to funding through the climate challenge fund communities are hoping to look at the issues around food production and food miles.

According to research some 70% of food miles are created by the consumer driving out to buy food.

Meanwhile, next time you have a plate of venison, check where it comes from. Has it taken 11,000 airmiles to arrive on your plate from New Zealand or a maximum of 370 airmiles from Scotland?

Join the revolution

2009-06-25T14:12:00.000+01:00

"Join the revolution" was the invitation from Comrie Development Trust to communities from across Scotland working to tackle climate change in their local areas. Picturesque Comrie, in rural Perthshire may not seem a hot bed for radical ideas but the village "where ancient rivers meet new ideas" felt pretty radical by the end of a weekend conference in early June.

The conference, run for communities by communities, brought over 100 delegates and speakers to the village for a weekend of presentations, workshops and visits.

It felt somewhat doom and gloom at the start as local MSP and Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham opened proceedings. A very honest and frank discussion followed the speechifying. Roseanna made clear that many politicians know the urgency around climate change issues but evidence suggests the electorate are not ready to take the measures required. People need to make and win the arguments in their own communities before the politicians will move boldly, concluded Roseanna. In other words - the present encumbents won't take risks with their future political careers. An issue Alastair McIntosh - the next speaker- refers to as NIMTO syndrome ( Not In My Term of Office).

Provocative as ever, Alastair (author of Hell and High Water) recognised that there are no easy solutions - and maybe no solutions. Much of the increase in carbon has arisen in our own lifetime where we have moved from necessary consumption to consumersim and unnecessary consumption. His plea is for us to reconnect with the natural elements that we have lost touch with and with children and look to our inner development.

There is a ray of hope in what he said - we can take charge of ourselves and learn to be content with less material wealth. So from the spiritual challenge we moved to the challenge for communities.

Simon Hooton from Sustainability South West ( a charity based in England) shared his thoughts on how communities can raise their game. Essentially he argued we have to imagine and plan for better options - recognising that less is more. Like Alastair he emphasised the way in which we have become separated from nature and called for future considerations about the environment to be grounded in what the environment can do for people - rather than seeing it as something out there to which we have no connection and 'protect' in a sterile way.

Simon's organisation promotes a scheme called Fair Shares Fair Choice. Using a CO2 reduction model called Contraction & Convergence (C&C) to calculate a ‘fair carbon share’ for every person who lives in the UK, practical support is offered through case studies and a 'carbon lifestyle coach'.

A large group of attendees met at the end of the day to consider how to encourage our politicians to take up a similar approach for Scotland to support the ambitious Climate Change Bill. My thought is: Are we brave enough to go down this route and make the radical changes we need for a truly sustainable future?

On a positive note - the Scottish Government has committed to targets in the proposed bill that reflect the science. So maybe we really are at the start of a revolution where government and communities will be heading the same way.

2009-05-19T13:05:00.000+01:00

To see more images from Jamie's trip to Eigg's Giant Footprint Festival in May go to www.flickr.com/photos/johnmuirtrust

Eigg's Green Revolution

2009-05-13T16:44:00.000+01:00

Eigg’s Green Revolution

Guest contribution from Jamie Grant (JMT Communcations Officer) who visited Eigg’s recent ‘Giant Footsteps’ festival.

Sue Hollands stands on the back step of her home sipping a cup of tea and waiting for a break in the rain to get back to work in her garden. Rain interruptions are part of her daily life on the Northern side of the island of Eigg. On stormy days she watches angry showers whip in off the Atlantic. Today the precipitation is almost imperceptible, a fine drizzle that hangs over the singing sands below her house like a grey curtain.

Islanders like Sue, a teacher at the school, are used to their lives being dictated to by the elements. A single standing stone offers the only sustained resistance to the wind on the high blown, treeless plateau in the centre of Eigg. Gales frequently stop the ferry from reaching the island and encourage a spirit of independence and resourcefulness in its people.

Their resilience has helped residents turn the very elements that so dominate island life to their advantage. Sue’s cup of tea was boiled with renewable energy generated on the island. In fact every household on Eigg is now hooked into an electricity grid that is powered by a mix of community owned hydro, solar and wind energy.

A year ago the island, which is too far from the mainland to be connected to the mains, celebrated the completion of a £1.7 Million electrification project to hook the ninety odd residents up with home - grown, green power. A 100kW hydro electric scheme is supported by four small wind generators and bank of solar electric cells. Power is distributed, via bank of powerful batteries, around the island in underground cables.

To control demand residents are restricted to a maximum of 5kW of energy in their homes at any one time. Sue has an energy monitor fixed above the sink in her kitchen where it gives a constant reading of her energy use. “I’m always on the look out for low energy appliances,” said Sue. “Last week I was thrilled to find an electric kettle that boils water with 1.5kW rather than 3kW.”

If Sue, or any other household on Eigg, exceeds the 5kW limit the electricity supply is automatically tripped and she has to pay a reconnection fee of £20. This only happened to Sue once, when she put the washing machine and the dishwasher on together. “It is a good incentive to think carefully about what we are switching on at home, and when,” adds Sue.

Energy efficiency is nothing new to Eigg residents. Before the electricity grid was installed householders depended on noisy diesel generators that produced less energy at a greater cost. “This has made a huge difference to us,” Sue says. “Electricity is now far cheaper and far more reliable.”

The key to constantly keeping the lights on using green energy from the West Coast’s fickle climate has been in using a mix of renewable technologies. The hydro scheme provides back up for the wind turbines on calm days, just as solar power makes up for the drop in rainfall over the summer months.

Community participation and ownership has also been critical to the projects success. Residents contributed over £200,000 to the project thought the Eigg Trust and dedicated an enormous amount of volunteer time and effort into its development. “This is our system - uniquely adapted to the islands scattered community - and it works,” Sue says proudly.

Eigg residents could be forgiven for sitting back and feeling rather smug about their green credentials. But their new energy supply has invigorated debate in the community about how even deeper cuts can be made in the island’s carbon dependence. The Eigg Trust is the only Scottish finalist for the NESTA lottery backed Big Green Challenge. Ideas for how to best invest the potential £1 million pounds of funding from the Challenge include solar panelling, wood fuel, electric cars and more local food production.

Which is where Sue’s organic gardening skills come in. Her immaculate beds spread out in a fan shape from her back step, each fertilised with seaweed collected from the shoreline. “I’m thinking of cutting back on work to dedicate more time to the croft,” she tells me. “We want to concentrate harder on providing food for the community and becoming more self sufficient in every aspect of our lives.”

New Energy Assistance Package

2009-04-30T16:51:00.000+01:00

I asked Mhairi MacSween, Community Outreach Worker, from the Energy Advice Centre for the Highlands and Islands to explain more about the new Energy Assistance Package that was announced in April. This takes over from the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes.

I must say I found my brain a little scrambled trying to get it all clear in my head. As Mhairi said to me: "It is still fairly complicated so it is best to get people to ring us."

Essentially, as she explained, the new package means that everyone is entitled to free advice, an energy audit and a benefit check. Then some groups of people are entitled to further support including insulation and heating measures, mainly, these are people who receive 'qualifying benefits'.

The easiest thing to do is to call free on 0800 512 012 and get taken through the process
or check out the website www.energyassistancepackage.com

This PDF file can also be downloaded from the Energy Assistance Package website, or you can view the quick guide online

In sum, there is good news for some older people and some with young families who can get free insulation etc. and this can include WALL INSULATION and other heating measures like replacing a boiler. Young families on 'qualifying benefits' are included for the first time.

And what about the not so young and not so old and able to pay?

I asked Mhairi if there was any support for those who are able to pay for some works.

Here is what she had to say:

Support can be offered in a variety of ways
By campaign/area (a one off price agreed by the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre and a contractor in that area for a limited period and discounted due to the large take-up) typically this is £199 for loft & cavity subject to survey but it varies. We can work with any group wishing to do a campaign in conjunction with us. We have a marketing manager who helps set up these campaigns. We just completed a campaign in Skye at £199 – so they were getting it for the same price as the mainland!

For individuals, e.g. if they phone into the call centre, to check all the utility providers and see which is the best deal (again this varies as each utility company is different and prices can change so we use a calculator to work it out which is updated continually from head office).

Support can be provided through the Carbon Emission Reduction Target scheme(CERT). CERT schemes are run by various energy companies across the UK. The schemes help tenants and home owners pay for insulation and other fuel saving measures. Anyone can apply for help through these schemes. If you are over 70 or on a low income, you should be entitled to free help to insulate your home. Other people may be entitled to grants to help towards the cost of insulation. Your energy adviser can tell you more about schemes you can apply for. Tel 0800 512 012

In essence:

The local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre for Highlands & Islands offers free, bespoke home energy audits, impartial advice on energy efficiency at home and assistance with accessing grants to help with home insulation and renewable energy technologies and money saving fuel tariffs. Simple tips that cost nothing but can save householders money straight away and stop the wasting of energy.

For any advice or to arrange a free survey of your property for cavity wall or loft insulation Free phone 0800 512 012

Water, water everywhere

2009-04-23T16:07:00.000+01:00

It has been raining again over the past couple of days and the week ahead looks unsettled too. Sometimes with so much water everywhere it is easy to wonder why it should be an issue to use it wisely. For those living in remoter places with no access to mains 'water works' such as on Knoydart and Eigg there has long been an understanding of the preciousness of the resource. Many of us however just take for granted the water that comes out of our tap.

I attended a conference run by the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum. This was looking at the results of the Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Survey

The first part of the event was various Government officials commenting. Nothing very interesting - mainly grey suits with stock answers - but the second part of the event saw three different but challenging presentations by women (not in suits) with a more practical focus. A provocative input from Tania Flasck, Head of Sustainability at MWH Global Engineering Company got me thinking about water:

She suggested we need to think again about how we use water and what kind of water is used where. For instance - do we need top quality water that is fit for drinking for everything we do? Some countries have a system where the quality of water they use depends on what it is for - so drinking quality isn't used for flushing toilets. Other countries have a de-centralised approach to water so water is delivered close to the source of production. Something to think about for rural areas. Maybe water metering would make us think about our water use?

Why does water use matter?

It took a while for me to understand.

The answers to these questions may surprise you - as they did me:

Who is the largest user of electricity in Scotland?

Scottish Water! The main cost is that of pumping water to us, compounded by the fact there are lots of leaks in pipes on the way. A reduction in demand for water would decrease energy use thus reducing Scotland’s green house gas emissions.

What would the impact be of only boiling the water we needed each time we made a cup of tea or coffee?

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs say: "If everyone boiled only the water they needed instead of 'filling' the kettle every time, we could save enough electricity to run practically all the street lighting in the U.K."

What is the average number of litres each person uses per day in the UK?

25 litres; 50 litres; 75 litres; 100 litres; 150 litres

At present, the average UK home currently uses 150 litres per person per day. In Scotland it is 146 litres per person per day according to Scottish Water ( that is about 32 gallons).

How much water is used in the average shower?

12 litres - more than 2.5 gallons. See Waterwise for more information.

Apart from the energy that could be conserved if we conserved water better sometime we have e too much water too quickly: Large coniferous plantations add to fast water run off . This contributes to flooding: broadleaf woodlands slow down the rate at which water runs off and lets it reach the water table in a more measured way.

Water may be everywhere but there are lots of issues that relate to water that will affect us all in the future: how much we use; how much energy we use to get it to us; what we do to reduce the chances of flooding and drought;how we prevent it becoming polluted. I could go on and on....

Sustaining the future in Assynt

2009-04-16T14:06:00.000+01:00

Situated amongst some of the wildest and most remote scenery in the North West Highlands of Scotland, the parish of Assynt is dominated by spectacular mountain landscapes.

Pioneers in the past, leading the first community buyout of land in 1993 ( through the Assynt Crofters Trust) the community of Assynt are again seeking to pioneer approaches to sustaining their future. This time, they are tackling the challenges of climate change through the newly established Assynt Renewables. With support from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund they are seeking to reduce the carbon footprint of the Assynt Parish area through an energy efficiency project and to secure a more sustainable future through looking at what natural resources can be used for energy.

Chairperson for Assynt Renewables, Alastair Macaskill commented:
“ We are delighted to have been awarded this grant. We will use the £74,220 to employ a project officer for two years and meet project costs. This will be a challenging piece of work as we have housing dispersed throughout a large area along with minimal access to public transport. Looking to the future we know we need to use less energy and find ways to be more sustainable. We know that some 28% of carbon emissions come from householders. This is something we can start to tackle.”

Mark Lazzeri, Development Manager of Assynt Foundation and a member of the board of Assynt Renewables explained:
“ We will start with small steps encouraging householders to take part in an energy audit then look to what solutions we can find as a community to reduce our energy usage. We will investigate ways to make the most of the resources we have around us from food to fuel sources.”

Another board member Chris Chant added:
“One of the exciting possibilities we are exploring is how to reduce our fuel for transport so we investigating options such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Transport is a real issues here and we had a taste of what happens when the price of oil rocketed last summer. We want to be at the front of change rather than on the receiving end of it in the future.”

The specific objectives for the project include:
· Establishing the baseline carbon footprint of the area.

· Carrying out an energy audit of houses, community buildings and businesses

· Supporting a programme of insulation and efficiency measures to reduce the carbon footrpint

· Investigating the feasibility of local microrenewables schemes which could serve clusters of houses and community buildings

· Assessment of options to reduce the transport miles and food miles in the parish through greater use of local food products and greater quantity of local food processing as well as looking at options for electric and/or hybrid power vehicles

· Looking at possibilities for greater use of wood as a fuel

The project is being supported by Changeworks (Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre for the Highlands and Islands ) and the John Muir Trust. It will work also with Community Energy Scotland in terms of auditing of some community buildings and looking at community run renewable energy options .

The appliance of science and switching off

2009-04-07T16:44:00.000+01:00

As we emerge out of winter and the days get longer and warmer, heating bills should reduce but some things will stay the same. Our appliances for instance continue to be used at a similar rate throughout the year.

Europe is one of the biggest sources of the world's climate pollution - and experts say that half of Europe's emissions come from boilers, fridges, TVs and other energy-using products in homes and other buildings.

We have the science to reduce these levels- it just needs the appliance.

The recent campaign for more stringent European legislation on new appliances has partially succeeded. Products are to be much more energy efficient- but not as good as campaigners had hoped for. For information on the most energy efficient appliances check out Sust-It - an informative site providing energy usage data on the most efficient appliances in the market.

But getting a new appliance is not an option for everyone – so in the meantime what can we do with what we have?

It is simple – switch it off when not is use! Often we are unwittingly using up electricity as this information on phantom loads reveals:

What is a phantom load?

Phantom loads are appliances that use power all the time, even if they are turned off. These loads are most often found in electronics, and anything that has automatic-start, etc. Common culprits are anything with a clock in it, such as a VCR, alarm clock, TV, microwave, etc. But it is not limited to that. Computers, business machines like fax machines, copiers, scanners, printers, all draw constant power. Watch out for the gadgets like mobile phones that have a wall cube transformer. Touch the black box, and they generally are warm. That warmth is wasted electricity. Some power cubes use the same amount of power even if they are not plugged into the appliance, but still plugged into the wall!

Switching things off at the wall is the easiest and carbon free approach but what if you have a computer like mine that resets itself in an unhelpful way if I try this approach or you have plug points in awkward places that involve performing gymnastics to get there . There is another solution:

Intelligent plugs that powerdown your equipment.....

Intelligent plugs recommended by the Energy Savings Trust can be remotely operated for some appliances thus getting round the issue of arkward plug points. The cost of buying them should be paid back from the energy saved.

I'm off to try one out.

Knoydart celebrates and looks to the future

2009-03-19T10:01:00.000Z

Ten years ago the population of Knoydart took the bold step of purchasing land and taking control of their future.

The Knoydart Foundation – set up to manage the buy out - are marking their achievements over the last decade with a range of activities that start with a day of celebrations on 26th March and continue throughout the year. Activities include a Spring and an Autumn Watch along with a week looking at carbon reducing activities in July( more details on the website).

Knoydart with the most remote community on mainland Britain has no access to the national grid. Addressing energy needs and looking at how to reduce their carbon footprint are pressing issues.

Currently Knoydart Renewables, a community based organisation run a micro- hydro scheme from Loch Bromisaig. This supplies the village of Inverie but there are constant challenges. Villagers on the peninsula are still reliant on expensive fossil fuels such as diesel for powering vehicles and oil for heating houses.

Thanks to funding through the Climate Challenge Fund - as part of the Community Energy Scotland Powerdown Project – the Foundation are now looking to employ someone full-time to support efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition to looking at the individual carbon footprint of households, they plan to look at hydrogen energy options for transport and also ways to maximise on using wood for fuel. This is a low carbon option and there is the wood around to use. We will also be looking at the renewable energy options for those houses that are not part of the micro hydro scheme.

Fuel and energy are important but food is what really keeps us going. They have deer on the peninsula – a great source of lean meat and are looking to increase sales of this locally rather than taking it off the peninsula. They are also looking at how to use the market garden to supply more food locally.

All these actions will help to keep Knoydart more sustainable and resilient for the future.

They would be delighted if anyone wants to join in celebrating their success to date and support them to a vibrant future.

Counting the carbon

2009-02-23T15:26:00.000Z

We hear a lot of talk about carbon footprints. But what does it all mean in practice?

The community of Sleat on Skye have investigated what this means for them and come up with some interesting information:

Logo designed by school children from Sleat

They produce an average of 17 tonnes per person - more than the average Scottish carbon footprint of 12 tonnes ( largely due to being a rural community living on an island).

Material and waste is the highest contributor at 37%, closely followed by energy(30%) and transport (28%). Waste gets taken off the island to be processed and recycled - making a major contribution to the carbon footrpint. Food comes in at a relatively low 5% but is a way that people in communities can start to get involved and motivated to do something around their carbon footprint.

So what are Sleat doing about their carbon footprint?

They plan to reduce their footprint by 33% over the next few years. Some of their initiatives include:

encouraging recycling of materials where possible - lobbying for 'green' disposal of waste on the island
taking ten Sleat households in fuel poverty and turning them into centres of excellence in energy efficiency and insulation
purchasing a Thermal Imaging Camera to aid the free house energy surveys
encouraging car sharing and safe hitch hiking spots
encouraging local growing of food and livestock
lobbying for an abbattoir based on Skye ( livestock currently go to Dingwall)
purchasing a rotovator for free hire to help with growing fruit and veg

All initiatives that many communities would welcome.

The Galson Trust - one of the the John Muir Trust partners - recently were also awarded Climate Challenge Fund monies as part of the Community Powerdown project jointly supported by Community Energy Scotland and the Development Trusts Association Scotland. This will include supporting local crofters markets. We look forward to hearing more as this project develops.

Warm Homes - value for money

2009-01-27T10:31:00.000Z

In this credit crunch climate - value for money takes on a new imperative. How to make that pound go further? Saving energy in the home is one place to start. In doing so we not only reduce our carbon footprint but we get lower energy bills. One council in England - Kirklees has taken on the need to do this is serious way. EVERY household is being offered FREE insulation through their warm homes initiative .

The Green Party has called for a similar initiative in Scotland. This has the support of the John Muir Trust. This video link on youtube brings the Kirklees initiative to life as well as telling you more about the Green Party Proposal. The is vote is tomorrow - so maybe we too will all soon have warm homes!

Do you know what percentage of the total carbon emissions in the UK come from our homes?

Our homes in the UK are responsible for some 28% of the total UK carbon emissions. Staggering but it is possible to significantly reduce if not eliminate emmisions from homes.

According to the Energy Savings Trust simple energy saving measures can reduce the emissions by two thirds (from six tonnes to two tonnes). Of course we are talking averages here and many houses in the Highlands and Islands are 'not yer average'. Solid walls, no loft to insulate... The technical term is 'hard to heat' and when the wind is blowing - that becomes very clear.

Meantime some communities have decided not to wait for wholesale Government action and are pressing ahead and tackling issues for themselves ( often supported by the Climate Challenge Fund - which is Government money) .

A number of communities are looking at doing energy audits as a starting point for taking action and working out how best to produce carbon savings. So what does an energy audit involve?

With help from the Energy Savings Trust, each household can complete a form and get a report on how energy efficient their home is and what measures can be taken to make the home more energy efficient. This is marked on a scale from one to ten. This is a FREE service.

I took part in an event recently and heard about three different approaches from three different communities to energy auditing. One community was going for delivery of Energy Savings Trust forms to every home with the offer of help to complete it, another community was going to have fun events and approach people to get their interest first and the third community was going to devise their own form to suit their community.

And tackling those 'hard to heat' houses? Changeworks (who have the local Energy Savings Trust contract for the Highlands area) have produced helpful information on resolving some of the problems including underfloor insulation. Historic Scotland also have more helpful information.

Assynt plans

2009-01-20T15:29:00.000Z

Leaving Lochinver as the sun crept over the snow capped mountains and the day broke was stunning. The journey was peaceful, swift and smooth – I was the only passenger on the bus. We followed the school bus ( with spaces on it) and I admired the scenery whilst pondering the poor use of resources – a warm bus shared with school children would not have been a hardship - for me anyway.
I have just returned from meeting people in Lochinver. Transport was one of the issues raised by the people of Assynt during discussions about their bid to the Climate Challenge Fund. People are aware that the resources are not always used to the best.

It is hoped through the Climate Challenge Fund to; employ someone locally to support an Energy Audit and insulation programme; look at the feasibility for renewable energy for clusters of housing; and ways to reduce food miles including processing more food locally.

The other issue raised was how to maximise a natural carbon neutral resource on their door step - wood.

Most of the communities that JMT is involved with have at least some wood available to them. Planning now for the future means planting trees that can then be coppiced thus providing a long term sustainable source of fuel.
One issue to consider is plans contained in the Climate Change Bill to lease out 25% of the forest estate to private investors. If you are concerned about this write to liz.kirk@forestry.gsi.gov.uk BEFORE 27th Jan 2009 or sign the petition here

Meanwhile – congratulations to the communities that have successfully bid for Climate Challenge Funds through Community Energy Scotland's Powerdown initiative. They are Knoydart Foundation and Galson Community Trust.

A taste of the future? A wood alternative?

2009-01-08T14:09:00.000Z

Our power supply at home was cut today for a couple of hours. This was a planned event and we had some warning from our electricity supplier so we could minimise the disruption - unlike some European countries.

Disruption has been major for those nations that rely on gas supply from Russia as the Russians have chosen to cut the supply with no real warning and the supply is being cut for more than a couple of hours. A taste of the future perhaps and the consequences if we depend on energy to be supplied from far away?

Many of the communities involved with this project are rich in natural resources. They have potential to be at least part of the energy equation - be they wind, water, wood, sunlight and so on.

The North Harris Trust planted 25000 trees on 2.5ha of land at Kyles Scalpay in April 2008 as part of a trial to investigate the practicalities of growing wood crops for fuel. Similar projects are taking place at 2 other sites in the Outer Hebrides to identify the best growing conditions and techniques.

It is hoped that the first wood can be harvested in 3 years time when the willow and poplar should have grown well enough to be coppiced. It will then be suitable for drying, chipping and burning in solid fuel boilers.

Wood as fuel certainly has advantages such as being locally sustainable and carbon neutral. More trees can be grown even is areas that have had few trees in recent centuries - such as North Harris. Native trees are great for enhancing biodiversity.

The value of wood as fuel is being recognised by the Scottish Government who have released information about a £2 million scheme to increase the use of wood fuel for heating. The Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme will give grants of up to £100,000 to small and medium sized businesses to install renewable heating systems so if you know of a business in your area that may qualify click here for more information or look at www.usewoodfuel.co.uk.

2009-01-06T17:02:00.000Z

Below are some links to youtube videos that you may find useful - I had hoped to show the Samso video at the event at Sconser but technology was against me.

Samso is an island in Denmark that generates all its own electricity and also sells back to the grid. Key things to think about are the issues about ownership that are felt by a community when they see a purpose and value to an approach. The first one is interesting in that this is a business person ( a farmer) committing to energy issues because he thinks it is the right thing to do even though there is no immediate 'payback' in financial terms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_5y0UgGtYc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JReMu-Z1qRo

The third video is a community in rural Cheshire that have looked at ways to get the whole community excited about what they are doing. I am being sent DVD's of this and an update of their work so if anyone wants to use it for a local event I can send you a copy to use.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=C9jPKLyGa_w

2009-01-06T16:49:00.001Z

Welcome to the first blog about the Climate Change and Sustainable Communities project. Energy without costing the earth.

I thought I’d start by telling you a little about the project:

As you may be aware the John Muir Trust owns some beautiful areas of Scotland and it has a remit to conserve and protect wild land. In some cases there are communities that live on the land. For example the communities of Sconser, Strathaird and Torrin are on John Muir Trust estate land on Skye as is the community at Sandwood.

As a landowner conserving wild land for the future, we are keen to support these communities to reduce their carbon footprint without ‘costing the earth’. We know it is possible for communities to do this and have teamed up with the Isle of Eigg to learn from their experiences of generating some 95% of their energy from renewables sources. They are now looking at how to further reduce their carbon footprint.

The Trust has also worked with a number of communities to support them buying out land under the Land Reform Act. So, we have an involvement with Knoydart Foundation, North Harris Trust, Galson Trust (North Lewis) and Assynt Foundation.

These communities are all quite ‘fragile’ in some respects. They share the vulnerabilities of finding ways to sustain themselves in more remote areas where there are limited employment options beyond those offered through tourism and from working the land. Many have aging populations and are keen to keep their communities viable and attractive to younger generations.

Rising fuel costs amongst other things have meant many communities are now looking at how they can reduce their energy costs in the future and be less dependent on the vagaries of changes in oil prices.

This blog will be a way to share some of the experiences of the different communities looking to become more sustainable as well as sharing information and thoughts about what is happening in the wider world.