Thread by @GreenpeaceBath

#thecostofliving panel have taken their seats and are ready for questions.

The panel are:
Rakesh Menon, Project Leader at @FoodCycleBath
Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel
Alex Lockton, Bath and West Community Energy

We much appreciate them being here and giving up their time for this event!

Rakesh: we need to have events like this and turn up the volume!

Sarah: Short term, we have warm spaces such as libraries and we have a directories of spaces that people can use to know where they can go to stay warm. Fuel poverty and dependence issue has the same resolution as the climate emergency.

Alex: the film is an emotional thing to watch. It’s extremely difficult and it doesn’t add up. For anyone. Everybody is affected by this. There is a massive moral issue. The stat at the end annoys me. But it energises me and we can ALL be energised by it.

Question: what are the barriers stopping us from scaling up some of the measures we are doing on a small scale?

All foodcycle food comes from surplus supermarket products. It would otherwise go to landfill. 60kg of bananas three weeks in a row! Think of the environmental impact.

Sarah: The lowest carbon energy is the energy you don’t use,

“People are not hungry because we cannot feed the poor, people are going hungry because we cannot satisfy the rich.” #costofliving #CostOfLivingCrisis

Alex: Renewable energy gives you back some degree of control.

First rule of renewable energy is: reduce your demand first.

We’ve got the tools to solve a big chunk of the climate crisis. Our gov is ridiculous - all the technology is there.

…Huge savings could be made. Peer to peer selling of power is our end game. So much cheaper and it works! Building a solar farm is not an overly complicated process. Bonkers that the government doesn’t grasp this opportunity.

“Join Greenpeace!”,

(We promise a panellist said this and we’re not just tooting our own trumpet 😂)

bwce.coop - more information about local energy, bright green homes, and the community share offer.

Tip: Learn practical things about insulation.

If a house goes below 15 degrees, people will get ill with respiratory problems.

Help your neighbours! Loft insulation - can you spare the time to help someone who isn’t able/can’t afford to do it?

The panel are responding to a question about direct action. There is a consensus that actions from environmental groups which have led to climate emergencies being declared have done a brilliant (and tough) job!

Corruption is in plain sight now. Whatever the thing is you do, take that and use it to empower you. AND VOTE.

Now being discussed: How do we link up community groups to leverage our collective energy?

(Any suggestions, Twitter?) #Bath #BathUK #Greenpeace #CostOfLivingCrisis

In answer to that previous question about bringing together community groups, an audience member said: Transition Bath has set up Eco Operation. A Climate Hub is also being set up - it will be a physical space & they are currently applying for charity status. Watch this space!

There has been a question about pension funds. It is a very complex area…

Sarah just gave @growbatheaston a shout out - a community group which started during COVID, growing seedlings in boxes.

The hope is that these sort of groups will continue and keep bringing people together - not just in Bath but across the country.

Alex has emphasised the importance and power of education.

Also, get the @BWCE newsletter! It’s much more positive than the other news coming to your inbox!

Community energy has more plans to work with retrofit work. Also, online: Centre for Sustainable Energy. Loads of resources - cse.org.uk

Voting: how do we get the climate emergency to be the thing at the forefront of people’s minds when they vote?

A hard question! Vote with compassion.

Sara from Greenpeace Bath is now thanking the audience and panel and drawing the event to a close. Thank you to any online readers who have followed this thread too 💚💚💚 Good night!