The BBC reported that several political parties have pledged to scrap the UK’s landmark climate change legislation and replace it with a strategy for cheap and reliable energy. The Climate Change Act 2008, which put targets for cutting emissions into law, was introduced by recent governments.
Whatever way we vote, The Climate Coalition are asking us to consider writing to our MPs and asking them if they will be attending the National Emergency Briefing on 27 November to hear the latest evidence and solutions to ensure that we don’t take backward steps but continue to work further towards the end goal of becoming carbon free. For more details see Defend the Climate Change Act – The Climate Coalition
Solar Panels
As many of you are aware, after much fundraising and grants from the Benefact
Trust and Garfield Weston, we were very pleased that in March our 60 solar panels were installed on the church roof.
We have already had one payment back from the Electricity Company for surplus electricity supplied to them.
We have also had an article in the Express and Echo, and the Methodist Recorder has promised to do so too which is pleasing so that we can highlight our thanks to the Grant Providers and point out the fact that we are contributing electricity to the grid that is solar powered not from fossil fuels. The efficiency of modern solar panels is such that significant electricity can still be generated even when the sun is weak, or it is overcast. With the help of the battery storage, the solar panels are expected to supply around 60% of the Mint’s electricity and therefore result in a substantial reduction in our energy costs as well.
We are hoping to brighten up the front area of the church even more than just the existing flower beds at the gates which have been and still are looking beautiful. We hope to begin discussing ideas for how we might achieve this with possibly planters etc. If you have any ideas, please do approach Stephen Mosedale or myself (Sue Cordery). We will then submit ideas to the Property Committee.
In October Stephen Mosedale and myself were given the opportunity to join Lissy -the Eco Church Communications Officer (run by A Rocha UK) who had been invited to St Sidwell’s Community Centre Social Club. We were able to hear about the Global work of A Rocha in many countries and about the work that Eco Church do in this country.
They run the scheme that many churches are involved in like the Mint, which covers five key areas of church life –
- Worship and teaching
- Buildings and energy
- Land and nature
- Community and global engagement
- Lifestyle
Please see our Mint Eco Notice Boards if you want to learn more They also run two projects in Southall in Greater London and in the Stour Valley in Essex, where volunteers have returned waste land to areas for nature. They also celebrate the work of churches who have themselves looked at ways of encouraging wildlife and colour along with all addressing the other areas of church life. We were asked to talk about our “Eco Church Journey” too which was a nice opportunity.
Sue Cordery