Help for those looking for a life without oil (October 1,
2009)
A special training course is on offer this month to help those who
want to work on getting their local community prepared for a life
where they are not dependent on oil and other fossil fuels.
The Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic
Partnership and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable
Development Fund is helping to fund the free weekend training
course being held at the Council’s Woodbridge offices.
“We have called in Transition Network to
provide their experience on how local communities can begin
planning ahead for a future where they are not relying on
fast-disappearing foreign energy supplies and can instead make use
of more local and sustainable alternative energies,” said Cllr
Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.
“The idea of these sessions is that it is a
chance to learn from what has proved successful elsewhere to come
up with a potential way forward that not only takes account of
future energy use, but also makes the maximum use of local food
sources and helps to support and stimulate local businesses.
“The challenges of climate change, and an
uncertain future for energy supplies, make it doubly important for
us all to identify how we can be resilient enough to ensure our
quality of life is maintained. These training sessions promise to
offer a fascinating introduction to the issues and how communities
could work together to begin providing solutions,” added Cllr
Nunn.
The two-day course is being held on
Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 and start at 9.30am.
Places are limited and can be booked by calling 01394 444747 or
emailing
deborah.wargate@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
The course will explain the background to
the transition movement, some examples of where towns have begun
positively adapting lifestyles and how to draw up an action plan
for individual and community use.
“This is an excellent opportunity for people
within our district who want to take some positive action and are
willing to play a leading role in their local communities to tackle
some of the most significant issues on the green agenda.
“We already have an active transition group
in Woodbridge and I would hope that this training course can help
give others the chance to press ahead in their own local
communities to reduce their carbon emissions and dependence on
fossil fuels while making them more self-reliant in areas such as
food, energy, health care, and jobs,” added Cllr
Nunn.