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Eco-footprints
A pattern exists between the material wealth of a nation and the size of its 'ecological footprint'. The ecological footprint of the UK is 3 times the global 'fair-share' and the bad news for Elmbridge is that we are consuming even more - over three and a half times our budget of resources to 'improve' our quality of life. Albeit in a rising tide of news items about climate change and its possible impacts, the good news is that the Elmbridge Environmental Forum is working through the Elmbridge |Sustainable Community Strategy to reduce this footprint primarily to the UK average, and hopefully even more.
One of the first 'high-profile' steps was the signing of the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change by the Elmbridge Community Partnership and Elmbridge Borough Council. The Declaration is a voluntary pledge, usually just by local authorities, to work together to lead all sectors of the community to reduce the impact we have on the climate and to tackle the impact of its changes throughout the Borough. In doing this, we believe we are the first area to jointly sign the declaration and will be joining over 130 other local authorities (who have already signed) to act together to bring about a major reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions.
|Further information about climate change is available online.
We Are What You Do
The Environmental Forum contributes to a '|We Are What You Do' initiative which aims to change attitudes and behaviours of our local residents. The Forum participates in a programme of public events, such as the stalls we have at fetes and fairs around Elmbridge where we invite residents to take part in competitions, give information about environmental issues, and distribute recycled pens. But fetes and fairs only one of the many areas where we have been busy.
FairTrade
We are supporting an application by Elmbridge FairTrade Network to make Elmbridge a FairTrade borough.
Council co-option
Two of the Forum have previously been co-opted onto the Council's Alternative Energy Review Group which has carried out an informal audit of civic centre energy use with our help and is producing a plan of action to implement these and further efficiency measures.
Theatre workshops
We have used a grant from the RC Sherriff Trust to promote the involvement of the environment in the arts, and run theatre workshops for local schools to raise children's awareness of these issues.
Charitable events
We have been involved in, with the Council Environmental Care Division, the 'Big Recycle' - collecting textiles for recycling - which supported the Mayor's charity. In all, 91 sacks were collected.
Energy efficiency
We have received an energy efficiency display from B&Q which demonstrates the effectiveness of using energy saving light bulbs and is used whenever there is electricity supply at a function
Annual AGM
We have an annual AGM which is open to all including the approximately 600 members of the wider forum, who receive regular communication and invitations to local events.
Newsletter and other media
We also produce regular newsletters, which are distributed to our members and in public places. The Forum also contributes to a number of local publications such as Open Doors (housing association magazine) and the Borough Council's Elmbridge Review publication.
Administration
Elmbridge Borough Council supports the Forum by providing administration support, a small annual grant and free use of their facilities. They also provide officer and elected membership to the Committee.
|More information about the Environmental Forum is available online.