What is transition?

What is the Transition network?

The Transition network is a global movement of community-led groups working for a low-carbon, socially just and resilient future for local towns and cities. From a modest beginning in Totnes, Devon in 2006, the network now spans the globe in a loose federation of voluntary groups and practical projects.

What is Transition Cambridge?

We are people who live or work in the Cambridge area and get together to do things such as:

  • Learning how to live well using less energy
  • Growing more of our own food locally
  • Reusing and recycling stuff so that less is wasted
  • Valuing and protecting our green spaces

We’re doing this now because we want to – not waiting until we have to.

Faced with uncertain energy prices and climate change, our response is to build a stronger, more versatile community - a community with the capacity to adapt to whatever happens and where we can be happy and healthy. Making better use of local resources also means saving money, by growing more of our own food and by reusing and adapting stuff instead of throwing it away.

How does it work?

Our system is very simple: if you want to do something that supports our aims, we will do our best to help you find some people who want to do it with you, so you can plan together how to do it – and then do it. One member of each project comes to core group meetings, which take place once a month. To get involved, you can either join an existing group or project or come directly to the core group with an idea of how you’d like to contribute. We welcome newcomers – no matter what your experiences and skills, there will surely be a way for you to contribute!

What do people get out of being part of Transition Cambridge?

We asked some of our members what they like about being a part of Transition Cambridge. This is what they said.

For me, enjoyment and learning are closely related so it's been great to expand my knowledge by interacting with like minded people. We have a lot of practical expertise within the group, which was very useful when it came to reducing my own carbon footprint, especially by making my own house more economical. Patrick O'Donohoe, Energy group


It's amazing to watch projects develop from a person's idea to an initiative that flies with its own wings, and also to learn that nothing stays the same for ever: some things we've started come to a stop when the group energy for participating dries up. I've learned to view these discontinued projects as part of the cycle, not failures! Our practical activities are a source of pleasure too. Jacky Sutton-Adam, Food group

For me, transition is about making better use of our local resources, and not wasting energy by making our homes more efficient to live in. The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use. I've learned a huge amount from developing factual resources and games like the quiz cards to raise awareness about energy issues. Here you can see the mayor having a go. Nicola Terry, Energy group

The community garden has been a great way of meeting people on my street and we love that lots of people enjoy the garden even when we're not there. We've learned a lot about how to organise events and make things fun so people to keep coming. Anna McIvor, Romsey Community Garden coordinator (on the right of the picture)

Our Mission

Transition Cambridge aims to help Cambridge make the transition to ways of life that are more resilient in the face of rising energy prices and a changing climate.

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