Page 22 - link magazine

Swindon Wide
22

Swindon Council takes on climate change leadership challenge
Climate change is happening, the Government has just made an announcement on how Britain is to become a zero carbon economy and Prince
Charles reckons there are 96 months left before there is irreversible change to the planet’s environment.
One Planet Swindon on 13 July experts, in six months time the
brought together senior council council officers from planning,
offi cers behind closed doors at highways, housing, waste, property
Steam Museum to hear some of and legal departments, as well as
the country’s leading consultants the Primary Health Care Trust, will
on climate change, urban design be required to return to explain what
and economic development spell their departments are doing and will
out in stark terms what the country be doing to reduce the impact of the
has to do to combat climate change town on the climate.
and how local authorities are crucial The conference was conceived
in making their communities truly in May by Kevin McCloud, council
sustainable by following the ten chief executive Gavin Jones and
principles of One Planet Living. council leader Rod Bluh.
Having heard the inspirational Kevin, whose Hab Housing
company is developing two sites
for sustainable homes in Swindon,
has made no secret in the last two Kevin McCloud with council leader Rod Bluh, coun Peter Greenhalgh, cabi-
years that he wants to see signifi - net member for strategic planning and transport at the One Planet Swindon
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT? cant changes in the way the town conference and chief executive Gavin Jones
RAINWATER HARVESTING impacts the environment. He said, Council leader Rod Bluh said world class thinkers. “The confer-
Collection and e cient use of rainwater “One Planet Swindon is about the the discussion is not all about ence came out of a discussion with
SOLAR WATER HEATING council putting down a marker as lightbulbs and carrier bags. “Most Kevin McCloud on what is required
Collection and e cient use of the sun’s energy
SOLAR ELECTRICITY to its future intentions in response of the speakers have worked with to make Swindon a sustainable
Reduce your dependency on the national grid to climate change. This can be a Swindon Council in some way, but town. He and the speakers at One
HEAT PUMPS fantastic town, but it can be at the bringing them together to address Planet Swindon have clearly set out
Space heating /cooling using heat from the air
or ground forefront of change or it can be the huge climate change agenda the challenges.
WIND TURBINES compliant to direction from central has been very powerful. “I believe the town is the perfect
This is not practical everywhere – but we can government. “We’re looking for a step change place to start the process, which has
tell you if it will work for you
If so, come and meet the team at a viewing of the “There is a hunger in the population in the way we approach the work of to be far beyond those who work for
demonstration technologies and discuss what ideas you for a new approach, but people need the council; it requires a new outlook the council, to involve everybody
may have or the technologies you are interested in.
Take a look at www.rainwindsun.com, information and help on how to live in all its staff.” who lives and works here.”
or call 01793 772277, or e-mail: more sustainably - and they should Gavin Jones said it was almost • The 10 principles of One Planet
[email protected] be fully included in the process.” unique to bring together a group of Living: www.bioregional.com

New Hornby GWR 175
model launch at show

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2009
10.00am to 5.00pm

STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Kemble Drive, Swindon

Featuring some of the UK’s biggest and best model railway
layouts - all under one roof !
Other attractions include Pete Waterman and his amazing model trains, massive Hornby and
Bachmann roadshows, demonstrations and a traction engine display.
See our website to find out more at www.swindon.gov.uk/steam

STEAM

Museum of the Great Western Railway

21-52 August 09 Fri 17.indd 22 17/7/09 14:12:36