Rod Collins - Chairman
It's clear to me that the earth is virtually unique in supporting life, and it's getting hotter and more crowded all the time. Unfortunately, we can't simply 'man the lifeboats' and escape. Instead, we must stay and help keep this beautiful ship afloat - come what may. The first step must be made by each of us, at a personal level, and it feels good to make a start.
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Martin Trengove - Treasurer
I am convinced that technology is going to be our only real salvation in escaping from the dangers caused by climate change. I do not think we are not going to be successful enough in getting people to significantly change their lifestyles in order to reduce their carbon emissions, unless that is, fuel prices rise hugely. I have to admit that I am a big sinner; I use my car too much, take too many flights, have my central heating on too high etc., etc. I’ll try to do my bit to reduce my consumption - and me saving a little will save a lot - but the real solution has to be a technological one and now that energy costs are going up, the incentive is there for business and the market to develop the technological advances that we will require to save the planet.
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Pete Green - Secretary
Since studying Electronics at University, I have had a strong interest in renewable energy - long before it became a hot topic. During the past few years, I have put practical steps in place in my own home to reduce my family's impact on the environment (and save money in the process - our annual gas bill is now £25), such as solar panels and a water wheel powered by our stream. Having a young family, I am concerned for their future as I don't think our current lifestyles are sustainable, and I am keen to help others make small steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
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Graheme Green
I have been on Mawdesley Parish council and a Governor of Mawdesley St Peters, school for almost 20 years. I have been Deputy Church Warden at St Peters for about 10 years. I have been a lifelong conservationist and environmentalist and am very glad that the general census is now alsocoming round to that view.
My long-term hope for the the group is that we can initiate a Ground Heat Source scheme in the Village as I believe that this technology provides a reliable energy source at minimal impact. I also believe strongly in Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and hope that we can actively promote that attitude.
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Tom Poole
I think it's commonly accepted that somewhere down the line we are facing big issues with climate change, global shortages and general sustainability. We are already seeing it to some degree, and the increasing global population is not going to ease the problem. The nature of these issues, the size of them and the apparent apathy towards them in some countries, can make it seem like one person's contribution will make no difference. I don't believe that. I think by all trying to do a bit, it will have some affect, especially if the trend grows - and hopefully down the line political pressure will mount. We've just had a little girl, Katie, and I think she is probably the biggest factor in me feeling I have to try to do what I can. I think that even if these issues don't have a big impact in my life, they will in hers. I believe we have a duty to try not to leave the next generation to sort out our mess.
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Jane Woodburn & Andy Dalton
We have concerns about the global implications of what we as individuals, a couple, a community, a nation and as part of the human race, are doing to our world. We are interested in issues like the deforestation of the planet to plant ‘biofuel’ crops; the destruction of wildlife habitats through intensive farming and GM farming; food miles, packaging and the use of fuel; the lack of investment by governments to collect, store and utilise rainwater more efficiently; the use of energy supplies. These are big things which we as individuals can’t change directly – that is down to governments themselves. But, we are trying to do our bit to help on a local level - it doesn´t really seem to be acceptable to say "the problem is too big; I can’t do anything about it so I won’t even try." If everyone does a little bit, that amounts up to a lot and this could really make a difference.
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Jo Woodhouse
My sense of where we are - as people living on our planet home - is that we've lost direction and a sense of who we really are (one part of a web of life that sustains us). Consequently, we're living in ways that are damaging the actual life-support systems we need to keep us going - air, water, land, plants, animals. It seems this is a problem with our ways of relating to the natural systems of which we are a part. I'm hopeful we can change - person by person and community by community. I work with children a lot and often think of what we're leaving for them - what it will be like for them when they're my age. I try to be as connected as I can with the place where I am and think about this on a daily basis. I don't get it all right, but believe we all can do this in 'our patch'. In Mawdesley, with so much beauty and green nature around us, perhaps it may be easier for each of us to begin to realise what we have - and what we have to lose. And what our children are going to inherit from us if we aren't able to change things.
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