Energise Larkhall

A big challenge for environmental groups is “reaching out beyond the usual suspects” to make the profound changes necessary for tackling climate change. This is partly because:

1. It is awkward to talk to strangers and different types of people
2. It is hard to know HOW to involve them, and what to ask them

However, studies and experience show that people can influence their friends, peers and neighbours- more than anyone else (authority, experts etc). The programme below seeks to overcome the problems above and achieve concrete reductions in carbon dioxide, and along the way build strong community relations for a resilient Larkhall!

Timeline: This programme could start in January and be organized by Transition Larkhall with staff support and some financial resources from B&NES. It could be the basis for a Low Carbon Communities grant bid, and/or other grant bids.

Possible Way to Run It: Could be a combination of the following approaches- hopefully something for everyone! All these approaches would seek to simultaneously promote:

• Free for Everybody Insulation (currently available)
• Energy Monitors (available soon through B&NES) which would also enable detailed carbon footprinting of Larkhall to begin.
• Cheap water butts and compost bins (currently available)
• Draught proofing workshops (if running)
• Transition Larkhall!

Approach 1: Energisers Energise their Neighbours! Volunteer to be “Energisers” and talk to their neighbours as part of a concrete, well –organized process. Elements of are being piloted in Twerton and it has worked well in other areas. The programme might include:

1. Training: Provided by CSE/Lock In Energy on how to “eyeball” a house for energy efficiency. Small teams could be formed for support.
2. Personalised leaflets through neighbour’s doors “I’m Bob, I live down the road and I’ll stop by on Tuesday and Thursday to talk to you about saving energy….etc”
3. Knock on neighbours doors and find interested people
4. Go back to drop off monitors
5. Collect monitors and data 3 weeks later. Troubleshoot any problems with insulation
6. Celebration! Bring together Energisers and participants for food and discuss next steps.

Approach 2: House Warming Parties! House Warmer hosts a party at which a presentation is given on insulation and monitors. People agree to undertake measures and the House Warmer supports them. Attend celebration at the end.

Approach 3: Community Groups Ideally this is done by TL members who are also members of the other group (or have existing contacts with the group). They give a presentation at a group meeting. People agree to undertake measures and the House Warmer supports them. Attend celebration at the end.

Approach 4: Bring a Mate A soft approach: Transitioners get together in pairs or threes and each brings one mate or neighbour to form a team who mentor and support each other in taking measures and making lifestyle changes based on the Personal Carbon Footprint action plan.

Possible Savings: Each person who installs loft/cavity insulation saves approximately 705kg CO2/yr and about 379kg CO2/yr for an electricity monitor= approx 1 tonne of CO2/yr. We would need to go through how many people could be identified through each of these approaches to calculate savings possible.