Climate Emergency

The Climate Emergency facing our world is a very real issue, but there is plenty we can do to take action to help protect our planet.

Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a Climate Emergency in the borough in 2019 and put forward its Climate Emergency Response plan, which aims to help the borough become carbon neutral by 2045.

This is a space to share ideas, stories and tips about what you are doing locally to reduce your carbon emissions and impact on the environment. Now's the time to react and play your part to make our borough carbon neutral.

The Climate Emergency facing our world is a very real issue, but there is plenty we can do to take action to help protect our planet.

What are you doing to tackle the Climate Emergency?

Residents, community groups, schools and businesses across the borough are busy playing their part to protect our local environment and reduce their impact on the planet by reducing their carbon emissions.

Lots of people taking action together can make a big impact and we want to hear all about the things you are doing. It could be a short tip, a blog or vlog on a certain topic, a pledge to say what you hope to achieve or about an event you’ve organised.

By sharing your story, you could inspire others across the borough to take action today and help us achieve our ambition of being a carbon neutral borough.

Please add your story here

You can add text, photos and videos to your story
Please ensure you have permission to share anything featured here
Please remember this is a public space, so please do not share any personal information about yourself or others in your comment.

We may occasionally contact people who have uploaded an inspiring story to ask if we could share it wider, such as on the Council's social media channels or our Climate Emergency enewsletter. We will always ask permission before we do this and we will only share stories with your approval.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Share Free event celebrates the value of remaking, repurposing and repairing clothing on Facebook Share Free event celebrates the value of remaking, repurposing and repairing clothing on Twitter Share Free event celebrates the value of remaking, repurposing and repairing clothing on Linkedin Email Free event celebrates the value of remaking, repurposing and repairing clothing link

Free event celebrates the value of remaking, repurposing and repairing clothing

by Felicity Roberts, over 3 years ago

Giving clothes a new lease of life will be the focus of a free event this autumn hosted by the University of Chester and partners as part of the national Being Human festival.
Dr Rebecca Collins, Deputy Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Deborah Wynne, Professor of 19th-Century Literature, both from the University, and Holly Kirby from the National Trust, will host the event on Saturday November 19 exploring ways of breaking through our unsustainable relationships with garments in the 21st century.

An Archive of Stitches – The Living Histories, Geographies, and Biographies will be... Continue reading
Giving clothes a new lease of life will be the focus of a free event this autumn hosted by the University of Chester and partners as part of the national Being Human festival.
Dr Rebecca Collins, Deputy Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Deborah Wynne, Professor of 19th-Century Literature, both from the University, and Holly Kirby from the National Trust, will host the event on Saturday November 19 exploring ways of breaking through our unsustainable relationships with garments in the 21st century.

An Archive of Stitches – The Living Histories, Geographies, and Biographies will be held from 11am to 3pm at The Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) Gallery, in the Forum Shopping Centre, Northgate Street, Chester.
Dr Collins, also of the Pop-Up Patch Challenge Team, said: “We invite people to come along and celebrate the value of remaking, repurposing, and repairing clothing. We will consider the value of garment making and mending skills and participants will be encouraged to join discussions about the lives, histories and geographies of their clothes.”
The event will involve a hands-on garment repair workshop led by Dr Collins, providing the opportunity to learn how to do simple clothing repairs. Holly Kirby, Assistant Curator, will also talk about caring for a major historic costume collection at the National Trust’s Attingham Park in Shropshire.
To register, please go to: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/archive-stitches.
The Being Human festival takes place from November 10 to 19, 2022, from Dundee to Devon, led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/.
For more details on all the events hosted by the University as part of the festival, please visit: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/being-human-festival.
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Join the Big Debate on Faith and the Climate Crisis

by Felicity Roberts, over 3 years ago
What do religions say about the value of the planet and how we should treat it? How might religions provide a motivation for climate action, and what might faith-informed climate action look like? Can faiths work together to protect the environment?
These are just some of the pressing questions that will be debated by a panel of regional faith leaders, practitioners, University of Chester staff and students at University Centre Warrington, Time Square, on Tuesday November 15.
Organised by the University’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and supported by Warrington Council of Faiths and the environmental charity... Continue reading
What do religions say about the value of the planet and how we should treat it? How might religions provide a motivation for climate action, and what might faith-informed climate action look like? Can faiths work together to protect the environment?
These are just some of the pressing questions that will be debated by a panel of regional faith leaders, practitioners, University of Chester staff and students at University Centre Warrington, Time Square, on Tuesday November 15.
Organised by the University’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and supported by Warrington Council of Faiths and the environmental charity Faiths4Change, the debate is a free public event, commemorating Inter Faith Week.
Those attending will also be given the chance to find out more about the Warrington Climate Emergency Commission and the new Warrington Climate Emergency Strategy which provides a foundation to help encourage and co-ordinate action across the borough.
Refreshments will be available from 5pm, with the event beginning at 5.30pm.
Professor Hannah Bacon, from the University of Chester said: “This event will draw on the faith lives of individuals and communities and so will give attendees a first-hand appreciation of how religions and faith inform, and can help shape, attitudes towards the environment.
“We hope those attending will also be inspired to reflect further on what sorts of climate action might be appropriate for each of them and their communities.”
For further information on the Big Debate: Faith and the Climate Crisis, and to register for a free place, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/interfaith-week-interfaith-debate-on-the-climate-crisis-tickets-411850795817.
Each year, Inter Faith Week in England, Northern Ireland and Wales begins on Remembrance Sunday, and runs until the following Sunday. The Week:
- Highlights the good work done by local faith, inter faith and faith-based groups and organisations;
- Draws new people into inter faith learning and co-operation;
- Enables greater interaction between people of different backgrounds;
- Helps develop integrated and neighbourly communities;
- Celebrates diversity and commonality;
- Opens new possibilities for partnership.
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Thank you for a Great Big Green Week 2022

by Eco Communities, over 3 years ago

The Eco Communities team have just about recovered from Great Big Green Week 2022 and are now planning our next event but we decided it was perhaps time to reflect.
Our Festival in Grosvenor Park was fantastic, thanks to Sykes Cottages, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Zoo for helping us with funds. These allowed us to purchase a small number of larger gazebos and tables which we can use at future events in the park and save the costs of hiring.
The day went by in a whirlwind, but we would like to thank all the stall holders... Continue reading

The Eco Communities team have just about recovered from Great Big Green Week 2022 and are now planning our next event but we decided it was perhaps time to reflect.
Our Festival in Grosvenor Park was fantastic, thanks to Sykes Cottages, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Zoo for helping us with funds. These allowed us to purchase a small number of larger gazebos and tables which we can use at future events in the park and save the costs of hiring.
The day went by in a whirlwind, but we would like to thank all the stall holders, businesses, performers, volunteers as without everyone the festival would not have been so fantastic. Plus of course everyone that joined us on the day and supported the great projects and businesses.
Read full story - CLICK HERE
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A new kind of simple practical plain English energy-efficiency website from Northwich

by Mark Thompson, over 3 years ago

Visit www.getenergysavvy.info and for the background story read below.
I own a thermal imaging camera and have had formal training in how to use it. As a retirement passtime I offered myself and my camera out to Northwich residents in Jan 2022 to understand if I could help people save energy and understand how to make their homes warmer.
This resulted in 30 home surveys during February and March. As well as using thermal imaging the home visits looked at all sorts of energy efficiency opportunities in the homes I visited, such as misunderstandings on how to use heating controls... Continue reading
Visit www.getenergysavvy.info and for the background story read below.
I own a thermal imaging camera and have had formal training in how to use it. As a retirement passtime I offered myself and my camera out to Northwich residents in Jan 2022 to understand if I could help people save energy and understand how to make their homes warmer.
This resulted in 30 home surveys during February and March. As well as using thermal imaging the home visits looked at all sorts of energy efficiency opportunities in the homes I visited, such as misunderstandings on how to use heating controls, identification of solutions to draughts, and whether there were things that householders were unknowingly doing that was wasting energy.
There were some common BIG surprises, especially on the setup of heating systems and misunderstandings of heating controls. Most of the problems found could be addressed with spending little or no money. From what I learnt I would say most homes can save 20-30% in their heating costs quite easily with the right knowledge and information.
To share the knowledge and insights from these 30 and other visits I have done I've put together this free web site which only went live Sept 22nd. The content will grow significantly in the remainder of 2022.
There is a lot of energy efficiency information out there but this is quite different. All the information on the site is written in extremely straightforward and above all practical language. Existing web information is very generalised and formulaic.
The goal of THIS site is to enable people to understand energy better and give them the confidence and knowledge to take the right actions for their individual circumstances, and de-fear their use of energy.
The site can be found at www.getenergysavvy.info
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Audio recording of practical simple home energy advice Q+A session on Radio Northwich 23rd 22

by Mark Thompson, over 3 years ago

I am an expert in home energy efficiency and in retirement do a lot of work in the local community advising people on how they can reduce their energy bills while also making their homes warmer and more comfortable.Listen here (on YouTube)
This is a 35 minute recording of a recent programme on Radio Northwich where I answered questions from listeners covering 18 different subject areas, including heating understanding the best heating controls and boiler settings, the facts behind myths, and the most energy efficient ways of cooking.
A number of the tips and facts covered in this recording... Continue reading
I am an expert in home energy efficiency and in retirement do a lot of work in the local community advising people on how they can reduce their energy bills while also making their homes warmer and more comfortable.Listen here (on YouTube)
This is a 35 minute recording of a recent programme on Radio Northwich where I answered questions from listeners covering 18 different subject areas, including heating understanding the best heating controls and boiler settings, the facts behind myths, and the most energy efficient ways of cooking.
A number of the tips and facts covered in this recording are not widely known about.
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Running Out of Time relay for climate action

by CarbonCopyCaroline, over 3 years ago

The Running Out of Time relay will be the world’s longest, non-stop relay ever attempted – and it’s being done to highlight climate action. The UK leg of the relay will pass through Cheshire on Monday 3rd October. You can see the exact relay route here.
Starting in Glasgow, home of COP26, on 30th September and finishing in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in time for COP27 on 6th November, members of the public can register to run a 10km stretch along the relay's route as it passes through 18 countries including the UK. Participants will carry a baton containing a... Continue reading
The Running Out of Time relay will be the world’s longest, non-stop relay ever attempted – and it’s being done to highlight climate action. The UK leg of the relay will pass through Cheshire on Monday 3rd October. You can see the exact relay route here.
Starting in Glasgow, home of COP26, on 30th September and finishing in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in time for COP27 on 6th November, members of the public can register to run a 10km stretch along the relay's route as it passes through 18 countries including the UK. Participants will carry a baton containing a climate message that'll be delivered to world leaders, urging more support to help people tackle the climate crisis where they live.
You can sign up to running a stage of the relay here.
Find out where the nearest stage to you is here and turn up to cheer on the runners and show the strength of feeling for climate action now.
You can read the message being delivered to world leaders and sign it to show your support here.
Help spread the word about the relay by telling your family, friends and through social media. Use hashtags and handles #RunningOutOfTime #RelayToCOP27 #ThinkBigLocal + @climaterelay @carboncopy.eco & ClimateRelay on Facebook and Instagram and @Climate_Relay & @carboncopy_eco on Twitter.
Thank you!
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Big Green Day at Frodsham Community Centre

almost 4 years ago

Climate Action Frodsham are hosting a Big Green Day, a free event where you can meet like-minded people in your community and learn about planet-friendly ways of living.
There will be a range of stalls open throughout the day, as well as displays and talks from expert speakers aimed at helping you learn more about our changing climate, and ways to reduce our impacts on the world.
Given the rising price of energy, we've brought in two speakers to talk about energy saving ways to save the planet without costing the earth. We'll also look at other topics like food... Continue reading
Climate Action Frodsham are hosting a Big Green Day, a free event where you can meet like-minded people in your community and learn about planet-friendly ways of living.
There will be a range of stalls open throughout the day, as well as displays and talks from expert speakers aimed at helping you learn more about our changing climate, and ways to reduce our impacts on the world.
Given the rising price of energy, we've brought in two speakers to talk about energy saving ways to save the planet without costing the earth. We'll also look at other topics like food and other aspects of sustainable living, which will be featured in talks, stalls and displays.

Programme
10.00 - Stalls open (remaining open throughout the day)
10.30 - Opening ceremony, including songs from `One Voice` Choir from 10.10 onwards
10.50 - 11.30 - Climate Change - is there a Crisis?
11.45 - 12.15 - How does food impact climate change?
1.15 - 1.35 - Songs from Highfield Male Voice Choir
1.45 - 2.30 - Energy saving ideas for warm homes
2.45 - 3.15 - Retrofit for Houses (People Powered Retrofit)
3.30 - 4.00 - Q&A with Mike Amesbury MP

Stall holders include Cheshire Wildlife Trust, NHS Sustainability Stall, Frodsham Town Council, Cycle North Cheshire, Frodsham Gardening Club, Fairtrade stall, WI on 'Food Waste', The Greener Group, Hob Hey Wood Friends Group, Green Christmas, an up-cycling stall and many more.

For full details visit: Climate Action Frodsham - GBGW and Eco Fair 2022
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Get involved in Great Big Green Week 2022

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

Great Big Green Week takes place from 24 September to 4 October around the UK and is one of the largest events for climate and nature seen in the UK, celebrating how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces and encouraging others to get involved.
What is Great Big Green Week?
The idea was created by The Climate Coalition. The Climate Coalition is a group of over 100 organisations at 22 million strong. Eco Communities are a member of what is the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Along with... Continue reading

Great Big Green Week takes place from 24 September to 4 October around the UK and is one of the largest events for climate and nature seen in the UK, celebrating how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces and encouraging others to get involved.
What is Great Big Green Week?
The idea was created by The Climate Coalition. The Climate Coalition is a group of over 100 organisations at 22 million strong. Eco Communities are a member of what is the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Along with key organisations like RSPB, WWF, Fairtrade Foundation, National Trust, The Women’s Institute and more.
What is going on in Cheshire West?
Eco Communities is once again working with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA), Chester Zoo and other partners to hold a Great Big Green Week Festival for Cheshire West at Grosvenor Park, Chester on Saturday 25 September.
The Great Big Green Week Festival at Grosvenor Park will run from 11am to 4pm and there’ll be something for everyone, nature activities, workshops and stalls selling eco, green and sustainable goods. We have Early Bird Free tickets which can be booked where you enter into a prize draw by attending on the day for a range of Eco Goodies. The early bird tickets end at the end of this month. Although entry to the event is free for all at any time, booking provides Important information to help us with things like funding for future activities.
Book a stall at the Great Big Green Week Festival, Grosvenor Park. LINK
Many other events will be taking place around the UK during the Great Big Green Week and you can view these on the official website. Locally you will find activities in Frodsham on both the 1st and 2nd October. Climate Action Frodsham have its Big Green Day on the Saturday and Cheshire Federation of WI have activities at Delamere Forest on the Sunday.
Visit the Great Big Green Week website
If you would like to organise an event in Cheshire West let Eco Communities know on office@sustainablecheshire.uk.
Check out our Cheshire West Great Big Green Week Website - https://great-big-green-week.com/
Our Sustainable Cheshire Website - https://sustainablecheshire.uk/
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Join us for our Paddle, Pick and Picnic @Thurstaston Beach

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

This Plastic Free July we are really excited to be going on a beach litterpick. Our litter picks are linked to our work with Surfers Against Sewage, whichstarted its campaigning in Cornwall where it was all about plastic pollution on beaches and beach litter picks. As its campaign grew it became more common for them to promote litter picks around Summit to Sea. Although Chester has no beach we always wanted to get to complete at least one litter pick, we did this in 2018 with Chester Zoo at Talacre in Flintshire. A very wet and windy day...
Our group... Continue reading
This Plastic Free July we are really excited to be going on a beach litterpick. Our litter picks are linked to our work with Surfers Against Sewage, whichstarted its campaigning in Cornwall where it was all about plastic pollution on beaches and beach litter picks. As its campaign grew it became more common for them to promote litter picks around Summit to Sea. Although Chester has no beach we always wanted to get to complete at least one litter pick, we did this in 2018 with Chester Zoo at Talacre in Flintshire. A very wet and windy day...
Our group litter picks this year have actively linked with The Welsh Dee Trust with its campaign to clean up the River Dee. So later this month The Welsh Dee Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, and Eco Communities are off for a beach litter pick. Weather permitting you might get to paddle in the sea and stay on afterwards for a bit of a picnic. Read full article and book - CLICK
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How Plastic Free is your July?

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

Read article via Sustainable Cheshire (Eco Communities Website) - LINK
Plastic Free July is a global social movement designed to help people to become a part of the solution to the issues of plastic waste. 2022 is a critical year for us all to turn the tide on plastic pollutants — as businesses and governments respond to public concern.
Plastic pollution remains a truly worldwide problem, affecting communities around the world. Despite our careful sorting, collection, and recycling efforts, plastic is everywhere — from the depths of deepest oceans to the heights of the tallest peaks.
It is not only... Continue reading
Read article via Sustainable Cheshire (Eco Communities Website) - LINK
Plastic Free July is a global social movement designed to help people to become a part of the solution to the issues of plastic waste. 2022 is a critical year for us all to turn the tide on plastic pollutants — as businesses and governments respond to public concern.
Plastic pollution remains a truly worldwide problem, affecting communities around the world. Despite our careful sorting, collection, and recycling efforts, plastic is everywhere — from the depths of deepest oceans to the heights of the tallest peaks.
It is not only littering the planet, but it is now littering our bodies — plastic is even found in the placentas of unborn babies. However, 2022 has shown signs of change. On 2 March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly agreed to a landmark agreement, creating an historic global treaty to end plastic pollution. A shift that the UN says could reduce the volume of plastics entering our oceans by over 80% by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55%; save governments $70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%; and create 700,000 additional jobs.
Eco Communities have thrown everything at the problem this year.
They have started installing their Litter Pick Hubs around the Chester area as a start. This was done to ensure that everybody in Cheshire West can help to keep where they live free of litter, even if they don’t have any equipment.
The litter pick hubs could not have gone ahead without a much needed boost in the form of support and funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council. So far there are five hubs in and around Chester, with more to come to Cheshire West in the coming months. All you need to do to access one of the various hubs in your area is to register online.
Helen Tandy from Eco Communities said “As we went into lock down we shared our Surfers Against Sewage litter pickers with the community with no plan to ask for these back, we felt it was important that anyone can make a difference where they live without the need to buy expensive litter pick equipment and so the idea of the litter pick hubs came about” You can find out more about the hubs and how to get involved litter picking where you live here ---- LINK
Eco Communities are also working towards their goal of Plastic Free Cheshire, with new locations being added to the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Communities Campaign all the time. The group are currently actively supporting the Frodsham, Ellesmere Port, Neston, and Tattenhall areas to become plastic free. This involves engaging with a variety of businesses, schools, community groups, as well as the community at large. Chester became a Plastic Free Community in 2018 and they want to share what they learnt from this with other regions in Cheshire. We awarded the first Business in Neston its award last week, The End of the Avenue became the first Plastic Free Champion in Neston, a step forward for Neston becoming a Plastic Free Community.