Green Community Heroes

Set up in 2007 Whittington and Fisherwick environment group is on a ‘journey to a low carbon community’ – over the last 2 years they have run a campaign to raise awareness of climate change, low carbon living and energy efficiency.

Campaigns including ‘ban the incandescent light bulb’ and ‘ban the unfilled cavity wall’ lead to the replacement of 200 incandescent light bulbs with low energy bulbs and 55 installations of loft or cavity wall insulation.

The group communicate their cause through their website, newsletters, press and local events, giving residents energy saving advice and low carbon alternatives.

On the horizon is renewable energy proposal for a local primary school and pub, as well as a focus on ‘eco refurbishments’ and ‘hard to treat’ homes.

The Arcola theatre in Dalston, east London, has led the way. It established Arcola Energy in 2007 with the aim of becoming the world's first carbon-neutral theatre.” The Guardian Theatre Blog

Uses theatre to educate and inspire the local community to live sustainably. Arcola Energy integrates arts and science professionals and the community to pioneer innovative practices that will fundamentally change the way arts organisations work.

Created the world’s first Clean Energy Technology Incubator in arts setting. A knowledge incubator and demonstration site with dedicated work space where engineers can develop initiatives to tackle climate change.

Lead a paradigm shift in how sustainability is integrated in to the core ethos of arts and community venues. Carbon Reduction:Installation of a hydrogen fuel cell to power the café/bar and selected main house shows and low-energy LED lighting which cut electricity use by 60%.

Joined 10:10 and pledged to reduce emissions by 10% by 2010.

The project has been running for four years and has systematically delivered practical projects on the themes of resource efficiency, local food as well as renewable energy.

Activities including pilot projects, events in the village hall, monthly publicity in Parish magazines, local press and radio coverage as well as links to other communities, NGO’s and local authorities.

A pilot Energy Efficiency project saw 18 households reduce CO2 emissions by an average of over 1 tonne per annum per household.

Various energy awareness events – including energy road shows, an energy day showcasing renewable energy and energy efficiency. Several solar water heating systems have been fitted to private households as direct result.

Funding has been raised for a community wind turbine, feasibility into Hydro power and small scale biomass for the community shop.

Distribution of free energy saving products via community shop – including low energy light bulbs, pipe insulation, draught proofing, and electricity meters. 10 households have had loft/cavity insulation as a result of the campaign.

Founder of Transition Towns - His first book 'The Transition Handbook' sold over 13,000 copies within 3 months.

The Transition concept was first piloted by Rob in Kinsale in Ireland producing the first community led EDAP.

A transition initiative is a community working together to face the challenges of peak oil and climate change, following the transition model – developed by Rob.

Rob is the driving force behind the creation of more than 200 official Transition Towns in 20 countries and over 1000 emerging Transition initiatives.

Rob's whole lifestyle reflects what it is to be in Transition, e.g. He has no car, does not fly, etc. He also began the movement wholly as a voluntary effort and inspired thousands of people to volunteer in creating Transition initiatives and communities that are active in being resilient to future shocks.

Over 50,000 people have drastically reduced their individual carbon footprints as a result of Rob's inspiration.