Compost - fifth and last in our series of Eco- news
This will be the last in the series of Compost: an Eco-news digest as, having reviewed our promotions earlier this week, we want to focus all efforts on book related blogs. Many thanks to Liz for compiling these information rich blogs… we have a feeling they will appear elsewhere, perhaps through The Southampton Climate Action Network
Local is the new global
Southampton Climate Action Network (SoCAN) recently launched a film, called Local is the New Global, about how our city could become more prosperous and look after the planet at the same time. Using the framework of Doughnut Economics (book by Kate Raworth) and the practicalities of Community Wealth Building, the film sets out the ideas and shows examples of how this is already happening in Southampton
October Books is a shining example of the framework and process that supports doughnut economics as we use local suppliers, have solar panels on the roof, a community garden, and support our community’s health and wellbeing. Look out for us in the film.
Meanwhile, Chief Finance Officers and those in procurement are starting to put climate budgeting at the heart of decision-making - they probably have the most power to create change in the short term. Here’s some reflections from the CFO for the Greater London Authority which sound very hopeful: As CFOs, we have the power to place climate action at the heart of financial decision-making. Here’s how. (c40knowledgehub.org)
Water, water everywhere
Water is in the news daily - too much of it, not enough of it, pollution, restoration, climate change and what we can do to help. On the Isle of Wight, a pilot project is paying homeowners to change their driveways to prevent flooding:
Isle of Wight homeowners paid to swap driveways to cut flooding - BBC News
Some residents are also installing water butts to take the extreme volume of rainfall that we now experience in an attempt to divert the amount that goes directly into our sewerage system. Every bit helps.
Restoring nature is another way to conserve water and the reintroduction of beavers to our countryside is bringing exciting results. The story of Derek Gow’s dedication to the return of beavers is described in his book:
And reconnecting with our hidden waterways is also on the agenda. Cities are beginning to uncover rivers and streams that have been piped underground and gaining great benefits:
Reaching the Light of Day - Orion Magazine
The article mentions Afterglow, a collection of short stories that “explore how the power of story telling can help create the world we need”, edited by Grist, : Afterglow: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors a book by Grist. - on my list to read next!
And don’t forget Janine Benyus and the ideas of biomimicry which underlie a lot of our current thinking about “what next” and “how”: Nature's blueprint for building prosperity
