Press releases

Food is the source of a surprisingly large share of our carbon footprint, third only to household energy and transport in the average home. And it’s been calculated that about a third of food bought is wasted.
Winchester residents gathered together for Winchester Action on Climate Change’s open meeting last Saturday 7 August to find out what we can do to cut the carbon footprint of our food. As well as wasting less, the meeting tackled a board-game that debated the benefits of eating local foods  to cut down transport; eating food in season to cut down on the energy used to heat greenhouses; eating less meat and dairy foods;  and buying foods with less packaging.

 Winchester comes together to look at low carbon food through a fun event on Sat 7^th August at Winchester Action on Climate Change’s monthly open meeting from 10 to 12 in St Lawrence Parish Room, Colebrook Street SO23 9LH. There will be a bring and buy stall of home-grown produce, free tea and coffee, discussions, games, group activities and the chance to learn more about the surprising footprint of food - and afterwards a picnic in Abbey Gardens. This event is free (just bring a picnic) and everyone is welcome.

Kelsie Learney, Leader of Winchester City Council, spoke at the WinACC open meeting on Saturday 3 July. She set out what the new Cabinet plans to do to cut Winchester's carbon footprint. WinACC members and supporters were encouraged by her clear commitment to creating a low carbon Winchester where we want to live, and appreciated her honesty about the hard decisions that the Council's Cabinet will have to take to manage the cut  in Council finances. A detailed account follows:-

Heating buildings using woodfuel could save you money whilst also reducing CO2 emissions and helping the UK meet its targets for renewable energy. Gillian Alker, formerly the Forestry Commission’s Woodfuels Officer for the South East, told WinACC's open meeting on 5th June, that there is over 2 million tonnes of wood available in the UK from under-managed woodland. Her presentation also emphasised that better management avoids cramped woodlands and maintains open spaces, thus benefiting native wildlife such as badgers and butterflies.

On the weekend of 27/28 February 2010, the normally peaceful streets of Fulflood were bustling with people moving from house to house to find out how their neighbours saved money and fuel, and reduced their carbon footprint. Altogether there were just under two hundred visits to eight open homes. 

Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) is launching a new programme to help faith communities in Winchester tackle carbon emission and take up the climate challenge. The first course of Carbon Conversations started on 22nd February, running every Monday for 2 hours for six weeks. New courses starting throughout the spring - email faith@winacc.org.uk for details.

The first major climate change demonstration in Winchester took place on Saturday 5 December. 130 people including Professor Joy Carter vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, the Bishop of Winchester Rt Rev Michael Scott Joynt and three parliamentary candidates for the Winchester constituency Steve Brine, Patrick Davies and Martin Tod marched from Abbey Gardens to the beat of a drumming band up the High Street to the railway station.