Archived news from 2019

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Petition for cycle path improvement

The bicycle path between Shelford and South Cambridge, known as the DNA path or the Genome path, is narrow, dark, and dangerous. A man was almost killed in a head-on collision with an unlit cyclist a few months ago. People are afraid to use the path after dark, and it is a major commuter route (over a thousand people per day). I have started a petition with the County Council to get the path made wider and provided with overhead lighting. Please sign it. More...
Source: Mark Troll 01 Dec 2019

Job with Cambridge Carbon Footprint

Cambridge Carbon Footprint is hiring a Cambridge Climate Change Charter coordinator. They are looking for 'an energetic and organised individual to help us develop the Cambridge Climate Change Charter and pledge programme. This is an exciting project which will engage individuals, organisations and businesses throughout Cambridge in envisioning a net zero future and how we might work together to achieve it'. More details and an application pack here. The deadline is 11 December, interviews on 16th and 17th December.
Source: Cambridge Carbon Footprint 29 Nov 2019

Big Compost Experiment

A new nationwide citizen science research experiment in compostable and biodegradable plastics has been launched by UCL's Plastic Waste Innovation Hub. The aim is to determine the viability of biodegradable and compostable plastics, using a survey for everyone, even if you don't currently compost. Home composters can sign up to join a UK-wide experiment to discover if biodegradeable plastics really do break down in a home compost system. Visit the excellent Big Compost Experiment website for all you need to know about the project and how to join in.
Source: Big Compost Experiment 21 Nov 2019

Car Insurance and Energy Comparison Zeroes your Carbon Footprint.

Compare To Zero, a startup with big ambitions to tackle climate change, and supported by Cambridge Social Ventures at the University of Cambridge, has recently launched a new car insurance and energy comparison website that allows its customers to drive their cars and power their homes with a net zero carbon footprint.

Like Compare the Market and GoCompare, they help find great deals on insurance and energy. When a customer buys, they guarantee to offset the carbon produced by the average annual use of either the car insured or energy switched.

Their grand plan however is to use the majority of funds to invest in technologies and innovation that remedies the problem long term. Through excellent innovation centres, such as Cambridge, they see the UK as the best place to make this happen. More...
Source: Compare To Zero CIC 13 Nov 2019

Cycle September - the global bike challenge has begun!

Cycle September is a fun, free competition aimed at increasing the number of journeys made by bike. There are loads of prizes that you can win by riding and encouraging friends and colleagues to do the same. You can take part as an individual, workplace or group. Cycle September is based on a proven model that has engaged over 400,000 participants with significant long-term increases in cycling participation. For it to be a success in Cambridge we need regular cyclists to spread the word and help enlist their workplaces and encourage others! More...
Source: Emma - Love to Ride 03 Sep 2019

Planning for Net Zero

Carbon Neutral Cambridge recently ran an expert symposium in partnership with the local Councils and Planning Service, to inform the new Local Plan and explore how we could accelerate the local transition to Net Zero. The report is now available at the link below.

The top 3 findings of the report are that:

1. Local Plans are legally required to be "in line" with the Climate Act, though most aren't.

2. To have a hope of achieving this, the forthcoming Greater Cambridge Local Plan should set a Net Zero Carbon standard for all new homes, following the example of London and Reading

3. The average new home uses 40% more energy than required by Building Regulations. This is unfair.

We have a really important opportunity to shape the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which is currently at the initial "issues and options" stage, with a public consultation this Autumn. Do register with council now to make sure you hear about the consultation when it opens (link here). More...
Source: Carbon Neutral Cambridge 20 Aug 2019

Recipe Booklet: Transition Cafe - How to Make Your Own... Practical, Homemade Tips for a More Sustainable Lifestyle

The Transition Cafe on 24th July was a lively event where eight people shared practical, homemade tips for a more sustainable lifestyle. The presented cleaning, cosmetics, food/drinks recipes were: laundry detergent, scouring cream, kitchen sink cleaner, shower head cleaner, olive oil mask for hair, gram flour face mask, deodorant, kombucha, fruit vinegar and oat milk. If you have missed the event, you can download the booklet with all recipes from the Transition Cafe website here More...
Source: Transition Cambridge 06 Aug 2019

Open Eco Homes - booking open

Open Eco Homes celebrates its 10th year in 2019! They offer bookable tours of low-carbon homes, eco-renovations and newbuilds - the dates for 2019 are Sunday 22nd and Saturday 28th September. Some homes are v popular and book up quite quickly... Their 10th anniversary event is on 10th September is also booking up quickly (see separate listing). OEH also organises talks and workshops, open to all, on the theme of saving energy at home - dates in September tbc. The website has lots of resources and you can join the mailing list. More...
Source: Open Eco Homes 16 Jul 2019

Allotment plots available in Romsey

Do you fancy growing your own veg and fruit on an allotment? There are plots available at the Stourbridge site, off Coldham's Lane - ideal if you live on that side of town. Location map here. Contact the secretary by email More...
Source: Romsey Town and District Gardening Society 12 Jul 2019

Building materials needed for community building project

Got any scaffolding boards lying around? Or construction timber? Empty Common Community Garden are creating a community building, and are seeking building materials to re-use or recycle. Contact Nick on 07815 126227. More...
Source: Empty Common Community Garden 24 Jun 2019

Waterland Organics Community Supported Agriculture Scheme

Our CSA members gort their first vegshare last week . Those in the city centre had their lovely organic vegetables delivered by bike . To become a member and ensure your share of our farm's harvest , go to our website and sign up now! If you are not sure and don't want to commit for a whole season , try our four deliveries option and see how you like it. More...
Source: Farmer Paul and farmer Doreen, Waterland Organics, People Powered, Nature Driven . 14 Jun 2019

New Eco Radio Show on Cambridge Community Radio

Our planet is facing an environmental emergency. A new Cambridge105 radio show, The 7th Generation, looks at how the people of Cambridgeshire are stepping up to the challenge. The programme airs once a month with local environmental news and events happening in and around Cambridge, in-depth interviews, eco arts and reviews, and what the City and South Cambridgeshire has to say. The first show is on tonight, Monday, between 6pm and 7pm. More...
Source: Pivotal Arts 10 Jun 2019

Local Election climate questionaire

Carbon Neutral Cambridge have just published the fascinating results of their climate questionnaire, sent to all candidates standing in Cambridge's Local Election. You can see their responses at the link below yo help you decide how to vote, or to hold your elected councillor to account after the election. More...
Source: Carbon Neutral Cambridge 30 Apr 2019

Local elections on May 2

Local elections in all Cambridge City wards are coming up on May 2. If you're wondering who to vote for, you may want to find out what the candidates have to say on climate change. Carbon Neutral Cambridge have sent a questionnaire to all the candidates who are standing - you can find out their answers here. And if you cycle or walk, read what candidates have to say on Camcycle's website here.
Source: Carbon Neutral Cambridge and Camcycle 30 Apr 2019

New community farm coming to Cambridge

Cofarm believes a community farm for Cambridge could help boost people's health and well-being; tackle food poverty; support the local economy; strengthen communities and enhance Cambridge's biodiversity. That's why they're developing one next to Coldhams Common, off Barnwell Road. But it will only deliver these benefits for Cambridge communities if people get involved with shaping and creating their farm. More...
Source: Cofarm Cambridge 01 Apr 2019

Zero waste shopping has arrived in Cambridge!

Have you heard about Cambridge's first 100% zero waste shop? A start-up enterprise, Full Circle, is offering a range of household cleaning and personal hygiene products at Cambridge Market from Thursdays to Mondays as well as at many pop-up community events in and around Cambridge and the villages.

Full Circle offers a range of carefully sourced cleaning products for homes and bodies that have impeccable planet friendly credentials, and their future plans include more products, a bigger market stall and an electric vehicle pop-up shop. The business is right in line with the spirit and ethos of the Transition Towns movement.

Full Circle founders, Emma, Johanna and Paul are seeking help from the Transition community. You are warmly invited to contribute to their crowd funder. It runs until Wednesday 17th April, and includes rewards for funders such as discounts and gifts. Even if you can't donate, please visit the page for other ways that you can help the project.

Thanks for reading! More...
Source: Transition Cambridge 01 Apr 2019

Living in Cambridge Survey:

What's important to you about living in Cambridge? What's your experience of what's fair (or not) in the City? Take the Cambridge Commons' quick survey (5 mins) to tell us your view and make sure to share it with your friends!

All responses are anonymous and are to be used by The Cambridge Commons to help us campaign and raise awareness of inequality in our City.
Source: The Cambridge Commons 17 Mar 2019

Streamlining the events pages

We are planning some changes to the events pages on this site - rather than five separate pages there will be only two: one for upcoming events and recent news, plus one for older news. This will mean that you don't have to look at lots of pages to see what is happening.

As a first stage in this change, if you submit an item you will find that the Name or organisation field is no longer optional - you must fill it in. This is important to avoid misunderstandings - we don't want to seem to be taking credit for other people's efforts.
Source: Transition Cambridge 16 Jan 2019

Recycling point for 'hard-to-recycle' items

The zero waste store, Full Circle, has just started to accept a wide range of items for recycling that are not currently accepted by the council. The items include crisp packets, biscuit wrappers and dental care items.

Full Circle have a stall on the market every Monday (opposite the electronics stall) where they can accept items for recycling. More...
Source: Full Circle 16 Jan 2019

Petition to Cambridge City Council: Declare a Climate Emergency

Extinction Rebellion Cambridge are petitioning Cambridge City Council to declare a climate emergency and therfore rapidly reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions as well as working with institutions in Cambridge to make the whole city zero carbon by 2025. If 500 people, who live, work or study in Cambridge sign the petition, the Council has to debate the motion. The deadline is 3/Feb/2019.

Other councils have already passed a similar motion, such as Bristol, London, Brighton, Totnes and South Cambs. You need to register on the council website to sign the petition; but it does explain what to do if you follow the link. See also the Climate Petition Signup in this week's news section... More...
07 Jan 2019

Sponsored Veganuary


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Going vegan is probably one of the most effective things we can all do to reduce our climate impact. To try this out, Tom Bragg and Anne Miller are going Vegan for January in aid of Cambridge Carbon Footprint. Do sponsor us (or do join us in raising your own sponsorship). Follow our progress and recipes on twitter at #vegan4ccf More...
05 Jan 2019

Model railway track - TT3 (12mm) gauge - free


the track

Stored for many years in a garage, so with plenty of dust and some cobwebs - but where those have been cleaned, it doesn't look bad. The track, which I think is Wrenn Formoway, looks as if it could be salvageable. The foam 'ballast' underlay is definitely no good, and I haven't checked in detail the base (hardboard), frame (timber), or point levers and solenoids. In two sections each 4ft * 6ft, the more densely-populated of which is surprisingly heavy. All free to anyone who can save any of it from landfill, but the new owner must arrange transport. More photos available on request.

Please contact me if you are interested.
Source: Ken Warner 04 Jan 2019

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