Communities in Action

Cornwall has over 200 parishes and towns, and 719 settlements.

Each of these parishes and settlements must soon confront the reality of climate change and, more immediately still, dwindling supplies of ever more expensive energy – especially oil.

Many Cornish communities still retain the elements that will help us to adapt to a different world – shops, post offices and schools, productive land, a sense of belonging and identity, and a desire to help each other.

At the same time most are heavily dependant on the car, on imported energy, food and services, and on employment miles away from home.

This must change. It looks like we have a choice in front of us: to do nothing and decline (probably rapidly) into poverty and hardship, or to combine our skills and resources to adapt to this different world. None of us know how to do this yet.

Nevertheless there are communities in Cornwall and across the UK who have decided to take the first step on the journey, turn it into an adventure, and look forward with optimism and excitement, not fear.

That’s what Groundswell wants to support and be involved in.

Oliver Baines: Seminar in TauntonOliver Baines: Seminar in Taunton Car heaven: A typical Cornish villageCar heaven: A typical Cornish village

Several communities are already on their way. As well as the transition communities, St Endellion has started a climate change radio. Elsewhere in the south west Modbury has banned plastic bags, Milverton has started a Climate Action campaign, Chew Magna has a GoZero initiative, Sustainable Thornbury is planning a sustainable future and Totnes has developed a local currency.

We need to learn from each other, and support each other. If you want to arrange for a presentation on climate change, peak oil, and what they will mean for rural communities in Cornwall, contact oliver.baines [at] virgin [dot] net 

If you would like to become more involved in your community please contact Ian Jones at ianj [at] ccfv [dot] co [dot] uk

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