What you can do!

Here are suggestions for ways in which you can take action to 'Live the Cool Life' and reduce your carbon footprint.  You can take these up on your own, or connect with others to take action together.

Sheffield Campaign against Climate Change (tel Rebecca 07870 565 011)
Our next meeting is Tues 8th April 7.30 – 9.30pm at Highfield Library, London Rd – all welcome!

Saturday 5th April is a DAY OF ACTION on the CLIMATE CHANGE BILL.
Friends of the Earth will be making the papers locally, contact Maureen medwards9medwards9.plus.com to join in. World Development Movement Sheffield will be running a stall in Fargate from 10am-3pm outside Marks and Sparks – come along and help!

FOOD: Allotment poetry lives!
Grow Sheffield’s Spring Social at 6.30pm on Mon 7th April features performance poet Matt Black reading his allotment-inspired works – bring food to share, seeds/seedlings to swap and your own allotment poetry! See www.growsheffield.com, contact Anne-Marie on 0784 907 3394 for details or Jake woodforwoodyahoo.co.uk to say you’re coming.

FOOD: Are Drinks food?
Dunno, but Sheffield Green Drinks sound like they’re having fun on Tues 15th April at Ecclesall Saw Mill and on a bluebell walk in the woods. Contact Gareth:  phone 0114 2014737 or 07939 577467 garethsheffieldgreendrinks.org.uk, or see www.sheffieldgreendrinks.org.uk

ENERGY: Sheffield Community Renewables coming on stream!
Sheffield Community Renewables is working to promote, support and develop community based renewable energy projects in and around Sheffield. “We are helping local schools install their own renewable energy, and working on plans to bring new life Sheffield’s historic industrial weirs.” Come to their launch meeting: ‘Hydro Power for Sheffield’ at 6pm, Weds 30th April at The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield to find out how you might get involved. Further info: RobJPillinggmail.com, but no need to book, free entry on the door.

TRANSPORT: The Car Conundrum…
In 1986 half of South Yorkshire households didn’t have a car – by 2001 it was only one-third. Households with one car rose slightly, while two-car ownership leapt from one in ten to about a quarter of households. During this time, bus journeys fell from 350 million (= everyone using a bus every day) to 110 million (= the one-third without cars using a bus every day?)  Our political leaders talk about this as an improvement in standard of living of which they are proud. Meanwhile, you can buck the trend! Visit http://www.carsharesouthyorkshire.com or http://www.u-to-us.com/smartroute/ to find out how.

YOU DO IT! Not too late for Climate Action!
For the last 6 months, Sheffield’s Climate Action Groups have been beavering away on their many projects. Well, you haven’t missed the boat – come along to their review meeting – open to active group members and newcomers alike. What’s been happening, and what else do you want to happen? Round 2 might be even more exciting – is it possible???
Climate Action Groups Review Meeting 6pm, on Tues 22nd April at Houlden Hall, 11 Norfolk Row, Sheffield. See www.sheffieldclimateaction.org or for further information or to book a place please email: RobJPillinggmail.com

YOU DO IT! Climate Justice?
Two free linked dayschools on Climate Change and Social Justice, NEW DATES: Sat 19th April and Sat 10th May 10am – 5pm. Day 1: Climate Change as an international issue: human rights, fair shares and one planet living. Day 2: Climate Action in Sheffield: making the links between carbon reduction and social justice in our communities – in health, transport, food and regeneration.
To book a place contact Jenny jenny.patientblueyonder.co.uk or 07760 174 335.

YOU DO IT! Take Moor Care!
Peat bogs in the Peak District - such as Bleaklow Plateau and Kinder Scout - naturally store carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas that contributes towards climate change. When these peat bogs are eroded due to pollution, overgrazing or fire damage they start leaking CO2 instead of storing it. Find out what Moors for the Future are doing and how you can take moor care at http://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/mftf/main/Home.htm

YOU DO IT! A Play in a Day!
I know I shouldn’t really mention Leeds, but Stop Climate Chaos Leeds are creating a play in a day! Join in this superfast production ‘The Climate Challengers vs. The Sceptics’ on Sun 20th April in Leeds from 10am – contact infosccleeds.org for all the details.

YOU DO IT! Learn low-impact skills!
Introduction to straw-bale building at SYEC, Heeley City Farm on Sat 19th April 9.30 -5pm contact nick.parsonssyec.co.uk or 0114 258 4574.
At Unstone Grange on April 11th-13th learn how to make biodiesel, or about low-impact smallholding – contact LILI on www.lowimpact.org or 01296 714184.

What’s your inspiration? Tell us about your campaigns, events and ideas for a low-carbon Sheffield, and we’ll pass them on!
And to get involved in the Sheffield Campaign Against Climate Change, see the Get Involved! page

The text for this page originally came from the Live the Cool Life newsletter (Mar 2008) edited by Jenny Patient. The original is available, along with the Live the Cool Life conference report, on the What We Do page.