Climate Change, The Glenkens and the Community Garden and Allotments

With the winter fast approaching, people are starting to wonder whether there will be another big freeze. With two severe winters in succession, and fears that this winter will be the same, conversations will turn to whether this is the result of climate change. Whether it is or it isn't, it is clear that climate change is something which affects all of us and something that we are all responsible for.

It is vital that we learn more about these issues together. What it is, what does it mean and what can we do? As individuals we can make simple changes to our routines that will help us to be more fuel efficient, healthier and save us money but collectively these changes will amount to large savings of CO2 emissions.

Over the next few programmes we will be looking at climate issues, and developing a programme of activities that will help us to reduce carbon emissions and climate change. Many of these activities will be centred in our developing Community Garden and Allotment Project which will provide a venue for a variety of courses from growing vegetables for beginners, to composting, preserving produce, building with sustainable materials etc- as well as talks and discussions on climate issues.

If you are concerned about climate issues and would like to take part in our climate change challenge then one way in which you can do this is to undertake some of the challenges below for a month, three months
or a year - whatever you can manage.

1. Plan meals carefully, take care to rotate perishable produce, reduce the amount of food waste.
2. Start composting vegetable peelings and other compostable food waste
3. Reduce the amount of car journeys you do each month by one, two or more
4. Eat more locally grown vegetables or more vegetarian meals a week
5. Leave the car and walk/cycle more often.

Pledge to do any number of these for either a month, three months or one year period. See and feel the difference in your health and pocket.

If you are interested in pledging and want your contribution to be counted please sign a pledge form at the CatStrand or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and pledge or online at catstrand.com. Anyone interested in having an allotment or being involved in the community garden please get in touch. It is a first come basis with only 20 plots up for grabs.