You are the strongest link . . .

. . . just remember to hit the off switch, when you've finished!

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"Your Parish Council provides a range of local services, each designed to help keep our Parish in good condition and good state of repair. Taking direct accountability for our own services means that we are best placed to reflect what the local people want; we are not bound by some conditions imposed from District or County Councils. As far as is possible and practical,we believe in giving local people a greater say in how the parish is managed."

We have developed this site as a focal point for Ibstock and the surrounding area. This site offers news, forums, messaging services any many more exciting features to help keep you up-to date with our areas events and lifestyle.

Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd, commonly known as ICE, is a community co-operative whose aim is "to make Ibstock a better place". We are a membership organisation, with membership open to everyone who lives, works or has an interest in the Civil Parish of Ibstock in North West Leicestershire. Both individuals and organisations can become members.

One of the earliest purpose-built cinemas in the country, the Palace predates the grand art deco cinemas of the 30's. After 15 years of hard work, this important building at the heart of Ibstock is enjoying a new life as a community centre. It hosts local groups, film, bingo and special events.

"This is your guide to the best of Ibstock's local businesses. Browse through the directory, add your reviews"

"The station plans to build new studios in the Margaret Street Church Centre in Coalville, the restored Palace Cinema in Ibstock and in the Hub Young People’s Centre in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The new station will be known as Hermitage FM." Contact: admin@hermitagefm.com for more information

Leicestershirevillages.com - Local Web Directory

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The Footprints Challenge is helping to make North West Leicestershire greener through a series of environmentally themed events and activities held throughout the year. The challenge aims to raise the profile of 5 key actions which reduce our impact on the environment and on Climate Change.

"Acme Climate Action is a new response to global warming. Instead of telling people what to do, we give them the tools to do it. Instead of making people feel guilty or overwhelmed, we give them something to feel good about. And instead of leaving people to save the planet on their own, we create a community of Acme People to do it together."

Leicestershire County Council (E.N.A.B.L.E.) "What can I do to help reduce climate change?"

Calculate your personal yearly carbon footprint/kg CO2

"Everyone has a carbon footprint - it's your own personal measure of how much carbon dioxide you create and how much you contribute to climate change. Use the Act on CO2 calculator to find out what your carbon footprint is. You'll also get a personalised action plan with recommendations about how you can help tackle climate change - including links to further information on Directgov and the Energy Saving Trust website."

Academy for Sustainable Communities. "Delivering practical responses to climate change. How to make a difference in real terms".

"Over 100 speakers around the UK are available to give talks on this highly topical subject to any local audiences: schools (secondary and primary), community groups, societies, faith groups, businesses, councils, etc., as shown for each speaker."

"Having children makes most of us realise how important it is that we all work together to preserve our environment and, when it comes down to it, even the smallest action really does make a difference - and can benefit you too!"

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"The Leics/Northants Energy Efficiency Advice Centre offers free, impartial advice to householders on all aspects of energy efficiency. We work closely with all the local authorities in our region to help cut the amount of energy used in our homes and to reduce CO2 emissions."

Energy saving grants and offers: "There is financial help available if you're planning to make energy saving improvements to your home."

Ground Source Heating (Heat Pumps) Introduction to Solar Power Legionella Disinfection Legionella Risk Assessment Rainwater Harvesting Solar Power - Domestic Hot Water Systems

"YouGen is a social enterprise. We currently operate as a limited company, and as we grow we plan to become a community interest company. Our Vision: is of a UK where most households generate their own heat and power from renewable sources. Our purpose: is to make it easy for people to get the information they need to invest in renewable energy (or decide it is not right for their home"

"The Eco-St Low Energy Light Bulb Library is a "briefcase" style device containing 40 of the best low energy light bulbs currently available. It has a variety of manufacturer’s bulbs including dimmable, candle, halogen, golf ball, sensor and standard bulb low energy replacements. It can be borrowed completely free of charge by businesses, schools and other organisations to find the best low energy replacement for their premises or to promote low energy lighting to employees and the general public."

"The Low Carbon Innovation Network, the free-to-join online community designed to enable those responsible for minimising carbon emissions from corporations and public sector organisations to share best practice with their counterparts and discuss the challenges faced during the transition to a low carbon economy."

From the people who created the Centre for Alternative Technology: ZeroCarbonBritain is a low carbon vision for the future. Creating an equitable energy strategy meeting the needs of both climate change and Energy security.

"The 2000-watt society (2,000-Watt Society) is a vision, originated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich at the end of 1998, in which each person in the developed world would cut their over-all rate of energy use to an average of no more than 2,000 watts (i.e. 17,520 kilowatt-hours per year of all energy use, not only electrical) by the year 2050, without lowering their standard of living. The concept addresses not only personal or household energy use, but the total for the whole society, divided by the population."

"The Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) is an open grants programme . . . CSEP has been set up to help community based organisations in England to reduce their energy bills and environmental impact. How much can I apply for? The maximum Capital Grant available is £50,000 or 50 per cent of the project cost (whichever is lower). The maximum Project Development Grant available is £5,000 or 75 per cent of the study cost (whichever is lower)."

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Local Food Heroes is owned and run by Phil Young and is part of Thurlaston Online. The site lists food producers in Leicester & Leicestershire.

You? landowner, grower or helper Post a listing tell others where you are and what you are offering or looking for Get responses use our mail system to receive and send messages Have a chat and see what happens...

"Local food is what you'll find when you visit your local farm shop or pick your own farm".

"We are still researching the orchards, produce, nurseries and recipes of Leicestershire. Can you help? Please let us know if you are aware of local orchards, varieties, or dishes, good products and the places that sell them : email info [at] commonground.org.uk"

‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ with a website packed full of ideas including recipes for using left overs from Celebrity Chefs and the WI, advice on storing food and simple tips such as taking a shopping list when food shopping and being wary of buy one, get one free offers.

"At long last concern for the environment is now an intractable part of the vocabulary of all the major political parties. The question about our impact on the planet has moved on from discussing if there is a problem to what we should do and who should do it . . ."

"f3 is a Community Interest Company. It has a co-operative structure, comprising 18 leading experts with UK and international experience of local food, sustainable farming, and direct marketing"

The National Forest - Forest Creation and Climate Change: "There are many reasons why it is good to plant trees, especially when combined with creating other attractive habitats for wildlife and enhancing the landscape on a large scale, as we do in The National Forest. Woodland also provides opportunities for recreation and enjoyment, jobs and tourism."

"The Agroforestry Research Trust is a non-profit making charity, registered in England, which researches into temperate agroforestry and into all aspects of plant cropping and uses, with a focus on tree, shrub and perennial crops. We produce several publications and a quarterly journal, sell various other relevant books, and also sell plants (particularly fruit and nut trees and bushes), seeds, Rootrainer growing containers and Parafilm grafting tape."

Pioneer Species - Re-establishing Woodland "We hear lots of reports about the destruction of the tropical rainforests, yet few people seem to realise that huge areas of Britain were deprived of their tree cover many centuries ago. It seems difficult to imagine when you travel in the countryside nowadays, but until humans arrived in Britain 97% of the country used to be covered in forest!"

"The Rot-a-Lot Compost Club is helping more and more people enjoy the composting process. It is a free home-composting club that has been established to assist Leicestershire residents with home composting."

In this month’s (November 2007) Gardeners World magazine Monty Don talks about Peak Oil as applied to gardeners and gardening.

For school and youth specific links see young ibstock does climate change (requires registration). ______________________________________________________________________________

"EcoTeams help people live more sustainably through simple lifestyle changes designed to help households reduce their environmental impact. An EcoTeam is a group of households (usually 6-8) who get together once a month over a 4 month period to follow a step-by-step process of manageable actions on waste, energy, water, transport and shopping. Team members measure their household's environmental impact, share their results and agree together on practical lasting changes."

"LCG is a not-for-profit organisation of Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors. Our aim is the advancement of sustainable energy policy and practice, engaging homeowners in meeting the real needs for environmentally sound and affordable energy solutions."

Whose future is it anyway? Could your childrens school become an Eco School? Find out here how Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire can help.

"Beneath Green Thing, informing all seven Green Things you can do to lead a greener life, is the Wiki Thing. The Wiki Thing is the most serious part of Green Thing. It's the scientific blueprint on which the seven Green Things (and their related actions) are based. It's also a place where The Green Thing community can post pieces of research or points of view about the real carbon impact of individual actions."

"Low-Impact Living Initiative (LILI) is a not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2001. We are based at Redfield Community (founded 1978) in Buckinghamshire. We help people to understand the damage that human impact is causing to our planet, to change aspects of their lives to lower their own impact, and at the same time save money and improve their quality of life."

Switch off the p.c. and read a book!

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Wonderful Sence Valley Park! Don't forget what you have on your doorstep, when suddenly feel the urge to load up the car with the family and endure a two hour round trip rendition of 'Are we nearly there yet???' Also see: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandDerbyshireTheNationalForestSenceValleySenceValleyForestPark

"GreenTraveller is a guide for anyone looking to travel in a way that lessens their impact on the environment and provides genuine benefits for conservation and local people in the destination."

"In our go-go lives, we want to travel further and faster, but our poor planet is getting a little travel sick. As cars get bigger and airfares get smaller, we’ll soon need a holiday on another planet. But slow down, tiger. Let’s get a new travel agent and rethink our transportational needs."

"ecoescape® is a green travel guide and online directory of environmentally friendly places to stay and visit. It is a meeting place for green travellers to raise awareness of sustainable travel in the UK and promote responsible escapism globally."

" What does the site aim to do..? In a nutshell, two things: First, it sets out to HELP people who already know they want to travel by train or ship, but who can't find out about it through normal commercial websites or travel agencies. Many people prefer the experience of train travel, are afraid of flying, or simply want to avoid unnecessary flights for environmental reasons, but information can often be difficult if not impossible to find. Second, it aims to INSPIRE people to do something more rewarding with their lives and their travel opportunities than going to an airport, getting on a globalised airliner and missing all the world has to offer. There's more to travel than the destination"

"Noflights.com provides quality travel products and services that exclude flights. It was born out of a passionate commitment to make rail and small ship travel more accessible and affordable at a time when flights are accounting for an ever greater proportion of human carbon emissions . . . Noflights.com is a workers’ co-operative – the company is wholly owned and managed by all its employees – with a strict environmental and social policy. A percentage of our surplus income is invested in environmental and social justice campaigns and projects."

"At Strand we have been specialising in voyages on passenger carrying cargo vessels since 1987, and we are seen as leaders in this field, by customers and shipping lines alike. We have a dedicated team of specialists who really understand this form of travel and who have established strong connections with the world’s shipping lines."

"The ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator allows passengers to estimate the emissions attributed to their air travel. It is simple to use and requires only a limited amount of information from the user."

"Carplus is the national charity promoting responsible car use." / "Rusty evolved from a group of neighbours sharing one vehicle in 1976. The club owns and runs older vehicles at a minimum cost. Bookings are made via phone and longer bookings for holidays require approval from all members. Trips are recorded in a vehicle log book and these are summarised by volunteers each month."

Green driving tips from the E.T.A. "a few pointers and tips that if we all adopted a couple, we would make a collective difference."

Whether you want to go to work, shopping, meet up with friends, go to the theatre, go to the match or you just want to go home. www.leicestershare.com puts you in touch with a whole network of potential car sharers FREE at the touch of a button.

Sustrans guides to getting started on your bike

"Welcome! Our new website is up and running at www.choosecycling.co.uk, so please do check us out."

"This e-group is designed to help you along on your path to a less car-dependent life. You and other list members can share information and seek advice on ways to cut your car use or live without owning a car. You’ll get all the support you need from the experts – people with long-term experience living 'car-free' or 'car-lite'."

News from around a Car Free World - worth it just for the inspirational views of European town and cities where citizens enjoy human scale and car free municipal spaces.

Electric Avenue - Zecar and the Zevan review - "It's very rare for a British newspaper to announce the birth of a brand new, truly British motor company. Especially when the firm is producing affordable new cars and vans with newly recruited British workers at a new British factory. But Telegraph Motoring can exclusively make such an announcement today."

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Whether you want to reduce your debts, save for a holiday, stay at home with your children, live more simply or just beat the system a little and end up with more cash, we hope you find something here to help.

"The NW Leicestershire Freecycle® group is open to all who want to "recycle" items they no longer need, rather than throw them away. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, you can offer it on our group. Or maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too"! See Our Files, films, downloads for 2 downloadable posters that you can print out and perhaps put up at home or work.

"Welcome to recycle-more.co.uk, the one-stop recycling information centre. You will find help and advice on all aspects of recycling at home, at school and in the workplace right here! Simply click on the links below to explore the site or try our recycling search facility."

"About Swishing Dictionary Definition: To rustle, as silk. Our definition: To rustle clothes from friends. The Art of Swishing involves getting your friends together to swap gorgeous clothes and party at the same time."

"When was the last time you felt happy?"

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"Miss Earth UK aims to find four UK country winners who will proudly represent their nation in fulfilling the ideals of the competition - that beauty queens can be strong and effective advocates for Mother Earth. The Miss Earth contestants are informed, goal-oriented and committed to playing a part in preserving and protecting the environment for future generations."

Or paste this link: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1841778,00.html

" Imagine living in a place where a toxic warning alarm sounds twice a week. Imagine your house shaking when dangerous chemicals are flared in the middle of the night. Imagine a fleet of decommissioned US Navy ships, full of pollutants, being dumped in your local harbour. While this may sound like the premise for a science fiction film set in a dystopian future, it has been a living reality for the residents of the Teesside area on the border between Yorkshire and County Durham."

"Climate change is usually seen as either an environmental or green issue - or as a scientific issue. Responding to environmental issues involves adapting our use of energy, recycling and caring for the environment. However the underlying cause of climate change is more to do with our values and beliefs . . ."

"Here's our list of simple, everyday actions you can do to help change the world (and have fun while you're doing it). It could be doing something for the community like shopping locally, something for the environment like avoiding plastic bags, or something for you, like learning to paint, sing or speak Spanish..."

"I am the ethical man By Justin Rowlatt, BBC Newsnight" Reports: Ethical Man goes to India, Panorama: Go green or else!, Ethical wife invests, Ethical Man goes vegan, Wind, Car-less, Flying, Water, Car, Home, The importance of being ethical.

Green Gauge > Lead articles > August 2008 Transition Nottingham - powered by the infinite energy of people

"The EcoHouse, Leicester's internationally renowned environmental showhome, demonstrates hundreds of environmental features and ideas, inspiring and encouraging visitors to make green changes to their own homes and gardens. Situated just off the Hinckley Road in Western Park, the EcoHouse is easily accessible by public transport": http://www.star-trak.co.uk/controller/displayRouteList?route=152

"From the very outset the Hockerton Housing Project has been recognized as a possible model for sustainable living. The massive interest that it has attracted indicates that there is a desire from a significant proportion of the public to seek new ways of living that reduce their impact on the environment. In the last few years the project has attracted over 3,000 enquiries."

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Academy for Sustainable Communities

"RealClimate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream commentary. The discussion here is restricted to scientific topics and will not get involved in any political or economic implications of the science. We've often been asked to provide a one stop link for resources that people can use to get up to speed on the issue of climate change, and so here is a first cut. Unlike our other postings, we'll amend this as we discover or are pointed to new resources. Different people have different needs and so we will group resources according to the level people start at."

Oxford University: "The news is full of debate about what the climate do in the 21st. century. But what is climate and how is it predicted? What can we fins about what might happen in the next 100 years?" Good for visual learners and those who want to learn one bit at a time.

"NERC spends about £40m each year on climate change research. Our scientists are world-leading authorities on this issue, and advise the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, recognised worldwide as the definitive source for climate change information."

Gateway to the UN System's Work on Climate Change - About the Science

A review of withouthotair.com - a fantastic resource saying what changes makes a real contribution to reducing fossil fuel use, and which are just figleaves.

East Midlands Regional Climate Change Partnership

"The UK Climate Projections have been created to help the UK to plan for a changing climate. The Projections contain information on observed and future climate change, based on the latest scientific understanding. This website will tell you more about the UK Climate Projections, including: * what they tell us about the future climate of the UK, including maps; * how they can be used; * why they are important for the UK; and * how they fit into the wider climate change picture. Detail for the East Midlands: http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/content/view/744/543/index.html"

The East Midlands' key adaptation to climate change issues include: * Coastal erosion - as sea levels rise this may increase the risk to large amounts of arable farmland at or below sea level, this also includes an increased risk from tidal surges * Biodiversity - in particular an increased risk to upland peat ecosystems in Peak Park and on water management throughout the region * Flooding - an increased risk from river and coastal flooding * Water resources will be under pressure from increased demand (e.g. from growth areas) and reduced rainfall/higher temperatures.

"Everyone’s heard that the planet’s climate is changing but is it true that the planet is warming? What’s the evidence? If there’s an unusually cold winter, isn’t that evidence of global cooling? Many people are sceptical and a little confused. Is global warming just another scare story put about by green eco-nutters? It’s more comforting to believe that everything’s fine and we can carry on as usual. But an unpalatable truth is that the global economic system depends almost totally on cheap fossil fuels – coal, oil, natural gas – to power industry, transport, modern consumerist lifestyles and provide employment. Taking action to reduce the greenhouse gases (GHGs) - which science says cause climate change - will mean drastically cutting back on using these fuels."

Future weather predictions. "The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) helps organisations to assess how they might be affected by climate changes, so that they can prepare for its impacts. It was set up in 1997 and is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and based at the University of Oxford. It promotes and co-ordinates research on the impacts of climate change and supports associated partnerships and activities. • This data is based on high emissions scenarios. UK Climate Impacts Programme Email: enquiries@ukcip.org.uk Web: www.ukcip.org.uk"

From The Times September 1, 2008 "Ghost ship fleet could be a silver lining in clouds of climate change" - Frank Pope, Ocean Correspondent.

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News from and around the Transition network - monthly.

"passion for the planet was set up by experienced radio professionals Chantal Cooke and Kenny Stevens, with the goal of introducing an innovative format to the expanding DAB Digital Radio market. The result is passion. Entertaining and informative, passion plays your favourite songs plus great new tunes from world music artists, and a broad range of interviews and features focused on your health and environment - issues that affect our lives every day"

Climate Change and Global Warming News and Archives. Links to current global news

"Ecoshock offers a variety of Green news, features, and Indie music . . . We'll pass on the activities of environment groups, large and small." Fair Use: Go Ahead and pass these files around. You can use them for your own Net radio show or podcast. Please credit Ecoshock.org and link to our website.

Climate Outreach and Information Network, in partnership with journalist Phil England, brings you Climate Radio – the best informed and challenging views on climate change. Pertinent, accessible and authoritative, these shows go beyond the platitudes and confusion that dominates mainstream debate.

The climate change channel of the video streaming website green tv: http://www.green.tv/!site.listings/people?page=1&batch_size=500

The people channel of the video streaming website green tv: http://www.green.tv/!site.listings/climate%20change?page=1&batch_size=500

Streaming videos on climate change from the the E.U.

“What we like about IPS news is that they provide alternative information - information from people whose voices are usually not reflected in mainstream news. Futher the news is often indepth in information as well as in its analysis.”

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Tilton On The Hill 'Climate Friendly Community'

"Working towards a more sustainable local culture to tackle the twin issues of climate change and peak oil. More information on transition towns here: http://transitiontowns.org/"

"Our aim is to encourage the adoption of low carbon and zero carbon technologies and lifestyles at a community level, and to enable groups engaged in this to be as effective and efficient as possible. We are dedicated to making the most of the opportunities that the web presents in building communities and sharing information online."

Low Carbon Communities Conference 2008 Website

"Here you will discover other like-minded people taking action to tackle climate change. The network consists of other communities who want to learn more about how to develop and maintain their projects - and share what they know and have learnt in the process."

"This site provides a focal point for all towns, villages, cities and localities around the world as they implement their own Transition Initiative . . . The mission of our embryonic charity is to inspire, inform, support and train communities as they consider, adopt and implement a Transition Initiative."

The Network for Climate Action is a way for groups to stay in touch with one another, share resources and information and support each other’s activities. It also acts as a point of contact for people looking to take action on climate change and helps new groups to get off the ground.

Access, Tools And Training The AT Group is a co-op providing equipment, transport logistics, training and skill sharing for grass-roots campaigning groups. * Do you want to help facilitate grass roots events? * Do you have a pile of useful equipment that you hardly use, cluttering up your space? * Do have or know of a large storage space being underused? * Do you have skills or want to develop skills relating to logistics and campaigning? If any of these questions apply to you, talk to the AT Co-op.

"At a packed meeting in St Laurence Church Hall on October 23rd over 200 people gave a resounding “No” when asked whether they wanted UK Coal to become a neighbour working an opencast mine between Measham and Swepstone. The audience included people from all parts of the local area. Many then gave specific and detailed reasons why these plans should be opposed. The meeting then voted on the proposition that a protest group be formed. It was carried unanimously." Also see: http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/measham/minorca-protest.html

# Email: leicestershire.makecoalhistory(a)yahoo.co.uk # Phone: 07930 304425 (Cathy Mackle) "The Coal Action Network supports autonomous groups and individuals with information and experience to take collective action against the exploitation of coal. We aim to organise non-hierarchically. We believe that direct action is an appropriate and justified response to the urgency of the climate crisis and the human and environmental costs of coal, problems which governments and industry are unable to solve. We therefore work with affected communities for a just transition towards a sustainable and coal-free future. Contact Us: info[at]leaveitintheground.org.uk"

"Turning 250 million viewers into climate activists"

"2009 the caravan is back! It will be bigger, better and more inclusive, with a focus on open cast coal mines and the people that will be directly affected." You can contact either of the addresses below: caravan[at]climatecamp.org.uk Coal caravan c/o 245 Gladstone St, Nottingham, NG7 6HX

Interesting . . . . another community moving along a path to transition and one with a coal mining heritage like ours. In thier words "Two of the most important issues are our dependency upon oil, and the changing climate, both of which urge us towards greater local stability. To make the changes in our communal and individual lives requires a fundmanental shift, and the purpose of this site is to focus upon making such a transition in the Forest of Dean."

"The Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN) is a charitable trust formed in 2004 to directly engage the public about climate change. Our aim was, and still is, to facilitate the process by which people: overcome denial about climate change; act collectively to cut greenhouse gas emissions; and offer democratic legitimacy to elected leaders to negotiate successfully for strong regulation at a national and international level. COIN is committed to trailing new methods of peer-peer communication and action and reporting on what we learn. We hope, in this way, to assist the wider climate change movement to adopt effective strategies derived from evidence-based research."

"Campaign to increase public understanding of climate change issues, answer scepticism and encourage energy savings."

"We are an inclusive group of committed Christians from across Britain with a London-based office. We welcome people of faith, and none. Operation Noah was founded in 2001 by Christian Ecology Link (CEL) and later became a joint project of of CEL and the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. It was the first Christian campaign to focus exclusively on the issue of Climate Change and this continues to be its mission."

"The Council is a not-for-profit international organisation. Our aim is to mobilise health professionals across the world to take action to limit climate change, a serious threat to human health. Any health professional and any health or health care organisation can become a member."

Also see: http://www.veggies.org.uk/climate/ "Which causes more greenhouse gas emissions, rearing cattle or driving cars?"

"VOICE supports residents in being and becoming actively involved in their communities. It allows groups to campaign for a better neighbourhood by enabling them to ePetition, carry out surveys and hold live discussions, providing a channel to make resident views public on any subject - from community safety to green issues to civic facilities . . . ommunity groups - Want your voice to be heard? Apply for a free community group website from VOICE on www.e-voice.org.uk!"