Gardens take off in Knoydart

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

Think global - act local

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.

GREEN ISLAND FEVER!

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.

Assynt plans

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.