Past Events
Energy
Carbon Conversations
Courses start on 27 February & 6 March 2012
Carbon Conversations is an inspiring, practical 6-session course on low-carbon living. It was recently featured in the Guardian as one of the 20 best solutions to climate change.
Free Talk @ Eastgate Theatre: Alastair McIntosh – The Pornography of Consumerism
9th February 2012 7.30pm
International speaker, Alastair McIntosh returns to the Eastgate to deliver another thought-provoking and stimulating presentation. Academic, environmentalist, activist and founder member of the Gal Gael Trust in Glasgow, the author of “Soil and Soul” and “Hell and High Water” and regular contributor to Thought for Today on Radio Scotland, Alastiar will explore consumerism and other related topics.
Tweeddale’s Carbon Footprint
Tweedgreen commissioned a baseline carbon survey to understand regional greenhouse gas emissions and allow comparisons in future years. A specialist consultancy, Climate Futures, undertook the footprint and analysed its findings. The baseline footprint covers a sample taken from approximately 7000 households in the Tweeddale area. A random sample of 162 households responded to a questionnaire about energy use, transport, food and shopping habits. Their carbon footprints were calculated and extrapolated, by household type, to estimate the region’s total household carbon baseline.
The findings of the survey have now been released…
Tweeddale’s carbon footprint in 2010/11 was estimated to be 171,645 tonnes of CO2. The emission sources are household energy (62,884 tonnes CO2, 37%), personal flights (51,356 tonnes CO2, 30%), car (23,858 tonnes CO2, 14%), food (17,099 tonnes CO2, 10%) and shopping (16,449 tonnes CO2, 9%). While not usually accredited to domestic carbon emissions, it is interesting to note that business flights accounted for a total of 12,265 tonnes CO2
Fig 1: Average household carbon footprints by source (%)
These figures may seem high, but they are in line with other Scottish communities, and much is being done to bring them down. The Scottish Government has set binding targets to reduce the country’s emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, from a 1990 baseline. Based on the experience of a similar community[1], Tweeddale would need to reduce its footprint by approximately 25% and 63% respectively, from a 2011 baseline, to match these targets.
The average household footprint in Tweeddale is 24.5 tonnes CO2
You can read a summary of the report here. The full document is available upon request.
Carbon Conversations – Pilot Project
Next course starts on 23rd January 2012
Beyond the facts – what does Climate Change and Peak Oil mean to us?
Climate change is something which will affect all of us, and something we’re all responsible for. It’s vital we learn more about these issues together: what is it; what does it mean for us; and what can we do?
Carbon Conversations
Carbon Conversations is an inspiring, practical 6-session course on low-carbon living. It was recently featured in the Guardian as one of the 20 best solutions to climate change.
Members explore the basic climate change problem, their responses to it, their ideas for a low-carbon future and the four key areas of the footprint:
– home energy
– travel
– food
– other consumption
Tweedgreen has decided to pilot the Carbon Conversations programme in Peebles, to see how it works within our own community. We have set up a pilot project, consisting of two initial courses in September 2011 and January 2012.
Pilot Carbon Conversation Courses start on 15 September 2011 and 9 January 2012
The course is free but we would welcome a small (non-obligatory) donation towards the costs of the materials (up to £15).
To sign-up, drop us an email at [email protected]
What are Carbon Conversations?
Carbon Conversations is an inspiring set of group discussions about and around climate change. Small groups meet for 6 short facilitated discussions, meeting every 2 or 3 weeks, working through activities and games; sharing thoughts, ideas and reflections. It was recently featured in the Guardian as one of the 20 best solutions to climate change.
The discussions:
– are based on the psychology of change
– are emotionally engaging
– are technically rigorous
– use an up to date, attractive handbook, games and materials
The course aims to motivate and support individuals to make progress with cutting their carbon footprints, and to help people talk constructively about these issues together. Going further than just the ‘facts’, the programme is unique for its attention to how making change in our lives is intimately bound up with issues of identity, society and values. Giving groups the space to discuss the more personal side of carbon-cutting, the meetings are designed to develop our insight, as individuals, into our own ways forward with environmental change.
Why not be one of the first to try out the pilot Carbon Conversations programme in Peebles? Your involvement will give you insights into greener living and will also help Tweedgreen determine whether this is an effective tool for educating people about behaviour change in our Tweeddale community.
Learn more:
Carbon Conversations in Cambridge
http://youtu.be/ng94lciphLY
The Approach: Guardian video
http://gu.com/p/296n7
Home Energy Audits – Save Money and Carbon
Ever thought about how you could reduce your fuel bills while also saving carbon emissions?
In order to complement the free home insulation scheme currently being carried out in Peebles, Innerleithen and Walkerburn by Scottish Borders Council and the Energy Savings Trust/Changeworks, Tweedgreen has trained 5 local volunteers as Energy Advisors. Tweedgreen ‘s Energy Advisors can visit homes in Tweeddale to carry out home energy audits. Tweedgreen has access to home energy monitors that you can borrow to see your electricity consumption. These monitors are available for loan free from Peebles Library (3 week loan) or from our office. If you require assistance installing and working an energy monitor, Tweedgreen’s Energy Advisors can visit your home to help out. We can install the monitor in your home to help you see how you use your electricity, how much appliances cost to run and to help you identify areas where cost savings can be made. Our Energy Advisors can also provide advice on other measures to help you save energy and save money on fuel bills.
If you are interested in a loan of a home energy monitor or a visit from one of Tweedgreen’s Energy Advisors, please contact the office on 01721 729258 or email [email protected]
Electricity Monitors
OWL electricity monitors are now available to borrow from the Peebles Library, free of charge. These smart devices are easy to fit and allow you to see how much electricity you are using in your home. Our OWL energy monitors provide up to the second information on the amount of electricity you are using in terms of power, cost and your carbon footprint. This means you can see in real time the benefits of turning off electrical devices at home. Whether it’s turning off at the plug rather than just using standby, or simply turning off a light, OWL shows you the cash impact of changing your habits and behaviours which could amount to savings of hundreds of pounds per year. We thoroughly recommend using these. It is fascinating to see how much individual appliances cost to run. You can use them to show your teenagers how much it costs to run their computers, X-boxes, music systems – even they may be surprised by the results. You can see how much it costs you every time you put on the kettle, washing machine, oven, hairdryer. By gaining this insight into the real costs of running your household appliances, you can regain some control over your monthly electricity bills. Try one. They become strangely compelling!
ENERGY SAVING PACKS AVAILABLE FREE FROM THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
In November, the Scottish Government issued a press release indicating that packs containing an energy monitor and Powerdown plug would be available free to householders via Scottish Gas.
Due to high demand, the Scottish Government has decided that Scottish Gas home energy packs will only be made available to households that:
- are identified as potentially eligible for the Energy Assistance Package
- find it difficult to heat their home
- are spending over 10% of their income on heating fuel.
If you know of anyone in these categories, they will be eligible for the free energy saving pack.
Anyone who has already benefited from Energy Assistance Package is also entitled to a pack. They would just need to contact the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre who can re-assess if they can benefit from any other EAP services at the same time.
How to get the pack:
Householders should contact the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012 or email [email protected]
Energy Saving Trust will post a coupon for the householder to send away. A pack will be sent through the post to eligible households.
Please note that some fuel providers eg. NPower, are also providing free energy monitors. Please check with your fuel provider to see if they provide this service.
Wind Power – Hot Air or Hot Topic?
22 Nov 2011
All you need to know about wind power from the horse’s mouth. Ask those thorny questions that you really want answered and get some honest answers!
Tuesday 20 September
This first meeting looked at the theory behind wind power, how turbines work, come and hear the real facts from independent expert speakers.
Tuesday 18 October
The second meeting explored the legal and preparatory stages you would need to go through to set up a single wind turbine or a farm of them. This included the potential effects on wild life and the surveys that are undertaken.
Tuesday 22 November
The third meeting will look at community involvement, setting up a development company and the the challenges and the benefits to local organisations.
Entry is free (donations to cover costs welcomed)
Are you thinking about installing a wind turbine for electricity production and want to know more? Why not make contact with someone in Tweeddale who has one of these systems already installed?
Tweedgreen may know people with wind turbines up and running and who would be happy to talk to you, or you may already have a working system and would be willing to share your experience with others.
Whatever your position please contact the Tweedgreen Office for details on 01721 729258 or e mail [email protected]
Free Village Lunches and Energy Clinics
12th November and 26th November
Free Local Food Village Lunch and Energy Advice Clinics
Come and join us at our village lunches, offering free local food prepared by our Food Group. The Energy Clinic will provide information and advice on energy saving ideas, including insulation and lighting solutions. Mrs Mash the story telling cook will provide entertainment for children. Zero Waste will also provide advice on how to save money on wasted food.
Dates: Traquair Village Hall, 12th November (no Mrs Mash) and Cardrona Village Hall, 26th November (Christmas themed event). Opening times 11am – 3pm.
Walk-in energy clinic and village lunch with Mrs Mash Storyteller
24 September 2011
The walk-in clinic will cover insulation, energy saving tips, lighting display and information. The village lunches will be made from local produce and are free! Waste Aware will help you with your composting queries and Mrs Mash will entertain the younger visitors.
Kirkton Manor Village Hall, 24 September 2011, 11am to 3.30pm.
Further information about our Walk-in Energy Clinics can be found here
Tweeddale Free Insulation Scheme
Don't Miss Out - Offer ends 31 March 2011
Tweedgreen is supporting the Tweeddale free insulation offer.
Loft and cavity wall insulation is being offered free of charge to householders in the Tweeddale area. Homeowners and private tenants in Peebles, Innerleithen and Walkerburn will have received a letter (download here) in early November from the council and the local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre which explains the offer.
The benefits of loft insulation: the house on the left has poor/no insulation and is losing so much heat through the roof that the snow is melting. The house on the right is properly insulated, and is therefore retaining its heat.
Tweeddale Free Insulation Scheme
Ends 31 March 2011
Offer ends 31 March 2011
Letter from Scottish Borders Council and Energy Saving Scotland advice which explains the offer
Download PDF:
Tweeddale Free Insulation Scheme letter
Renewable Energy Talk – All Things Water
24 March 2011
Micro hydro generation in Tweeddale
24 March 2011, 8pm, Eastgate Theatre Studio
Renewable Energy Talk – Energy from the Sun and the Earth
17 February 2011
PV, solar and ground source heat
17 February 2011, 8pm, Eastgate Theatre Studio
Renewable Energy Talk – All Things Wood
20 January 2011
From logs to wood pellets, from wood stoves to biomass boilers, expert speakers will be on hand to answer your questions. Plus local suppliers and installers.
20 January 2011, 8pm, Eastgate Theatre Studio
Energy Fair 2010
6 November 2010
In November 2010 Tweedgreen held an Energy Fair at the Burgh Hall in Peebles.
We had a wide range of companies exhibiting alternative and renewable energy options, including solar, PV, wind and heat source. You were able to find all you ever wanted to know about renewables and the best options for you and your home.
The Energy Saving Trust attended with literature, advice and their Eco-driving machine.
Planning Aid Scotland were also in attendance to help you with any planning issues connected with the addition of renewables to your home.
Exhibiting were…
| Company | Exhibiting |
|---|---|
| Solar Power Scotland | Solar & PV |
| On-site Generation | Heat pumps, Solar, PV, Consultancy & Training |
| Tweed Renewables | Solar equipment |
| Eco-Living | Heat pumps, woodstoves |
| Border Eco Systems | Air to water, solar thermal, biomass |
| Wind Turbine Ltd | Wind & PV |
| Inherent Energy | Solar, PV, Wind |
| Gaia Wind | Wind turbines |
| Energy Saving Trust | Information, Grants, Insulation |
| Planning Aid Scotland | Planning information |
| BCCF - Zero Waste Scotland | Composting, peat free compost |
| Border Architects | Advice on eco building |
| Simon Lockwood | All things wood |
| Pentland Biomass | Biomass boilers and biomass fuels |
plus more.