‘Thriving Sustainably’: one-day community event planned for October

Tackling the issues of climate change, CO2 emissions and our soon-to-be-decreasing supply of fossil fuels (‘peak oil’) are the themes of an activity-packed community event being organised for October 17th.

Oxford, UK, Aug 9, 2009—“What could a sustainable future look like ?” is the title of an unusual day-long event planned for Saturday, October 17th in West Oxford. Organised in conjunction with local climate change projects and other campaign groups, a diverse group of experts have been invited to help the local community consider the question “what kind of joint thinking and action are needed to influence our next 50 years on this planet so we’ll last into the next century ?”
Taking place at the West Oxford Community Centre from 9:30am until 7pm, a wide variety of events - including participative workshops, talks, discussion, stalls and activities - will offer something of interest to all, young and old.  Organised into six strands of activities running in parallel throughout the day, there are activities for the whole family and for all sections of the community.
“As well as substantial information and discussion, the day will provide inspiration and fun activities, to show that there are many creative ways and practical steps we can all take in order to turn the challenge of climate change into a thriving future, for ourselves and others,” says Michael Soth, one of the organisers. He had the idea to initiate this day on the occasion of his 50th birthday: “Getting to a half-century made me think about the future, and I knew I wanted more than just a party with friends - something that would make a difference to my next decades on the planet.”
The day is designed to showcase the many sustainability initiatives that have sprung up throughout Oxfordshire in recent years, to make them accessible as well as offering networking opportunities for those already involved. Alongside talks and films on climate change and the possibilities of ‘energy descent to a low-carbon future’, there will be information on sustainable food production and distribution, sustainable energy, technology and housing and - unusually - ‘sustainable consciousness’.
“In an age oriented towards technological solutions to everything, we begin to wonder what kind of thinking, feeling and behaviour, what kind of consciousness and psychology, is conducive to a sustainable life style, individually and as a community,” suggests Michael Soth. As a result, some of the events are to do with personal, communal and organisational development.

Special effort has been made to involve young people and there will be activities for both children and teenagers throughout the day, including story telling, compost heap building and bicycle maintenance. “Although according to scientific consensus the global situation is serious and action is urgently needed, the day will not be focussing on doom and gloom, but what we can and want to do,” says Soth.

Mark Lynas, local journalist and author of the influential book “Six Degrees - Our Future on a Hotter Planet”, is one of the presenters: “The next months - in the build-up to the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit 2009 - will be critical for making our voices heard and making our input count.”

Although the day brings together a host of high-calibre experts who will be available for questions and discussion, the emphasis is on involvement and practical steps, such as car clubs, growing your own food and sustainable energy projects. The organisers expect the hall of the Community Centre to become a bustling hive of activity for the day, with some of the more substantial talks and workshops taking place round the Centre and in the near-by primary school. There are many ways to get involved and more help with organising the practicalities of the day and volunteers are welcome.

For more information on this ‘Thriving Sustainably’-day, including details of the programme and activities planned, visit http://www.thrivingsustainably.org.uk, or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Leaflets and posters are available to help spread the word throughout Oxford and region, and more help with publicity as well as volunteers are needed.

Contact:
Andrew Ventham
07794 927816
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.thrivingsustainably.org.uk