We’re delighted that our sustainability event is well timed, just before the start of the Great Big Green Week (September 24th to Oct 2nd). This is one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. Its purpose is to raise environmental awareness and it offers an opportunity for local organisations and communities to showcase some of the work they do to protect the planet.
Cheltenham based environmental charities such as Vision 21, Interclimate and Severn Wye Energy, alongside groups such as CK Futures, Planet Cheltenham and Cheltenham Clean Air plus Cheltenham Borough Council via the CheltenhamZero initiative and the Chamber of Commerce are all engaged with safeguarding our environment and our quality of our lives.
- We’re off to an early start with the first sustainability for businesses event hosted by the Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce on 21st September at the Hotel du Vin. Representatives from Cheltenham Zero will be presenting alongside other ‘experts’ and taking questions from local businesses who are interested in reducing their carbon footprint. Reserve your place here
- Public events and activities will also be happening, like the Charlton Kings Fair on 24th Sept at which CK Futures, Planet Cheltenham and Vision 21 will have stalls. Come along and talk to us about the work we do and find out what you can do to fight climate change and protect our planet.
- If you want to get more hands-on, volunteers are welcome to come to Annecy Gardens at 6:00pm on 26th Sept to work on and learn about the vegetable garden. The Cheltenham Regeneration and Repair Café takes place between 10:00-1:00 on 2nd Oct at St Andrew’s Church where you can bring along an item for our volunteers to repair and give a new lease of life to.
- Some activities are already pre-booked by community groups, e.g. Vision 21’s planter building sessions, but the Reclaim used furniture shop on the Lansdown Industrial Estate, GL518PL is open to the public Mon-Sat 9:30-4:30.
Then there is the business as usual activities such as the Warm and Well Scheme which Severn Wye Energy continues to offer help to people on low incomes. They also offer free advice and support, through their Target 2030 scheme, for local SMEs seeking to increase their energy efficiency
So why not mark Great Big Green Week by joining in activities run by Vison 21 and our partners or using our services when you can? But the really important thing is to remember that protecting the planet requires ongoing action by all of us, not just during an awareness week.
Dave Entwistle, CEO at Vision 21 says “If we are to avert a climate catastrophe, we all need to cut our carbon emissions by as much as 50%. It is a tall order, but Cheltenham’s environmental community is on hand to help you do it and we need you to become involved, whether it is making changes in your home and workplace or by supporting the work that we do.”
The Great Big Green Week is a call to action for all of us to take steps to minimise consumption, reduce waste and to recycle/repair more, but above all make the best use of the energy you do consume and take steps to reduce your carbon emissions.
Check out our websites for more info and how to participate. www.vision21.org.uk
For general media enquiries, contact please email office@vision21.org.uk or call 01242 224321. For Cheltenham Zero please email info@cheltenhamzero.org
