At the end of last year I decided I was perhaps demonstrating a ‘do as I say…’ approach to carbon reduction. Okay, I hug the occasional tree, re-cycle bottles and cardboard, and occasionally remember to use the compost bin but must admit there is a lot more I could be doing to reduce my personal carbon footprint. So, big deep breath, I decided to give up my wee jalopy. It was a great wee car and served me well for 8 years of daily commuting to Glasgow. I no longer commute and couldn’t think of any other excuses for my apparent laziness. So off to the scrap heap it went a week before Christmas.
Now I must confess, I haven’t done that well, and I could give you all the excuses under the sun as to why my walking and cycling have not increased that much but I won’t. However, Monday 16th January is the start of the challenge to walk, cycle, and get the bus. Hopefully those extra pounds gained over the festive season will disappear to help motivate me. I also joined the community Car Club for the days when other options won’t do. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Next week will be a busy one – I am looking forward to hearing more about another local initiative – Bute Film Group. Chris, Cathy and others are developing film making skills on the island and have kindly offered to edit the video contributions we recorded during our Bute Renewable Energy Consultation.
I will be taking part in a cross project workshop with Project Playpark, Bute Conservation Society and NHS personnel - as diverse as these projects are we share a common goal of seeking improvements for people in our environment in recent funding applications and if approved I am sure we will be able to collaborate to gain maximum value.
Thursday is open day at the offices in Castle Street. Anyone can pop in for advice, support or direction on energy efficiency and renewables. Recent enquiries have ranged from identifying supply of eco-friendly roof insulation to helping a local resident secure £400 voucher towards a new boiler.
On Friday I will be joining Bute Astronomical Society out at Ettrick Bay for their Star Gazing Event – 8pm. Follow the link for details. After the recent storms we may not welcome the idea of turning our lights off but remembering the wonderful skies on many a camping trip it is hard not to hope for a bit less light pollution and clear skies.
Thank you all who have supported our project this year.
A very big WELL DONE to our Zero Carbon Hero’s at North Bute, Rothesay and St Andrew’s Primary Schools. We hope you keep setting a good example to the rest of us by walking, cycling and using public transport.
Zero Carbon Hero's Teach the Baron about re-cycling
And to our volunteers who have been helping local business and community groups take steps to improve their energy efficiency – reducing our footprint and reducing energy costs.
A wee bit of Christmas spirit to take us into 2012
Thank you to local business and community groups who took part in our renewable energy audits and attended information exchange meetings as part of our feasibility studies. To our post offices, library, schools and medical centres who hosted feedback surveys – we appreciate the time and space you gave.
TZCB is funded by Climate Challenge Fund. We hope to update you in the New Year about the projects’ future.
Towards Zero Carbon Bute is part of Fyne Futures, a community organisation that strives to deliver social, employment, education, environmental and health benefits for Bute and beyond. Projects include:- Bute Produce; Bio-diesel; Bute Re-cycling; Bute Re-use; and our newest addition Car Bute.
http://www.fynefutures.org.uk/
Mahatma Gandhi said “you must be the change you want to see in the world”
Here’s to a Fyne Future in 2012!
On 1st December, we launched a community consultation on the future of Bute’s energy 
production. Feasibility studies undertaking by AECOM and On Site Generation supported by Changeworks were published that set out what the possible mix could be.
Thank you to all who took part in the process by completing feedback surveys online and at locations around island, attending our Meet the Consultants meetings, and recording their views on video. Our youngest participant was 7 and our oldest was 71!
So what do we think…
- 94% are in favour of Bute becoming 100% renewable!
- 92% would have large scale wind turbines on Bute!
- 77% believe communities should take ownership of renewable energy generation!
- And 65% of us would invest in a community energy company
Our biggest concerns are Climate Change and Rising Costs.
The benefits we hope for are Carbon Footprint Reduction, Local Employment, Reduced Energy Costs and Energy Efficiency Improvements.
We would spend any income generated on Insulation Projects, Low Carbon Transport and other community projects.
Based on feasibility studies, if 14 SME’s & community groups, and RSL implemented the recommendations and the community achieved a 10MW wind project then 17,610.6 tonnes CO2 would be saved, representing around 36.37% of the islands carbon footprint.
We will update you as the project moves forward.
You can see the results by following the link below.
Turn down your thermostat
Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10 percent decrease on your energy bill.