Read our ‘Reasons to be cheerful’, packed with info about splendid events, places, groups and grants.
Reasons to be cheerful?
YES!
Events, groups, information and GRANTS.
a) We’re reviving the dead chicken (based on Dorking’s symbol, the cockerel in case you were wondering) and our sadly out-of-date website. Dorking Climate Emergency | Surrey Based Climate Action Group
b) Thousands of people are standing up for what’s right.
c) Even more people are quietly beavering away to make the world a better place.
d) To recognise some of them we’re soon starting a new feature on our website: Climate Warriors. If you’d like to nominate someone, please contact us.
d) We’d love to hear from you: contact @dorking-climate-emergency.net
So, let’s get on with it!
Things you can do to stay cheerful:
ATTEND EVENTS
CAMPAIGN AGAINST GATWICK EXPANSION. For years, dedicated people from two groups CAGNE Home – CAGNE and GACC https://www.gacc.org.uk/ have ceaselessly opposed this. We are honoured to hold a Zoom on the subject: Gatwick’s Big Enough
What’s to be done?
Find out the latest developments at our FREE Dorking Climate Emergency Zoom. Tuesday 17th February, 7pm – 8.15.
Click here to book your space: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gatwicks-big-enough-tickets-1981798087428?aff=oddtdtcreator
The two campaign groups (GACC and CAGNE) led a 4-day High Court appeal against Gatwick’s expansion plans in January. Now they wait for the judge’s decision, expected late Feb.
The proposed expansion will add around 119,000 flights per year (that’s over 324 flights a day more) and double airport capacity from 40 million to 80 million passengers annually.
More pollution, more noise, more traffic – more of everything. Affecting you and future generations throughout South-east England for all time.
Find out more from knowledgeable experts Jonathan Essex, Vice-Chair of GACC and Alex Chapman, Senior Economist of the New Economics Foundation. There will be plenty of time to ask your questions.
Discover more background here: https://www.gacc.org.uk/press-releases.php
Or contact@dorking-climate-emergency.net
Click here to book your space: numbers are limited. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gatwicks-big-enough-tickets-1981798087428?aff=oddtdtcreator
DORKING FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Friday 20 February 5:30pm – 7:00pm.
Join the glowing procession of people with hand-made lanterns through the town centre – a community celebration of warmth and light. Optional workshops beforehand to make lanterns.
Find them at Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4UG.
They focus on tackling environmental challenges with practical, local solutions that make a real difference.
It’s hard to know where to begin… Active Travel, Community Fridge, Baby Clothes Library, Free home energy surveys, Library of Things… the list goes on. They hold events, meetings and lead on climate initiatives throughout Surrey.
Check their website on https://www.zerocarbonguildford.org/
TALKING TREE at Spelthorne
An amazing Hub for all in the area with events, Community Fridge, social events and enterprises which include a communal garden. They’re relocating right now, so find out more via https://talkingtree.org.uk/
CIRCULAR DORKING: everything a community group should be.
Events, talks, projects, information based around the need for a low-waste circular economy – it’s all on their website. Welcome to Circular Dorking | Circular Dorking
SURREY CLIMATE COMMISSION
provide information, workshops and put on events. They work closely with businesses, Surrey County Council and the Universities on climate matters of all kinds and lead the way in promoting Net Zero carbon emissions in Surrey. Surrey Climate Commission |
Their e-forum is an excellent (if slightly clunky) way to find out what’s happening all over Surrey with an easy-to-read calendar. Surrey Climate Forum
ENCOURAGE DEMOCRACY AT WORK
SURREY YOUTH PARLIAMENT: Voting closes on Sunday 22nd February:
Open to 11-18 year olds who live, study or work in Surrey.Please encourage all the young people you know / schools / relevant community groupsto take part.
A Member of Youth Parliament, or MYP, represents young people at a local, regional, and national level. They are elected by young people aged 11-18 in their local area. Surrey has 7 MYP seats.
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is formed by more than 300 MYPs. They debate issues, write a manifesto, and vote on their priorities in the annual sitting in the House of Commons. They then campaign for the changes young people want to see, write reports, and present their recommendations to the government.
CLIMATE ACTION SCORECARDS
Find out how your council is doing on climate action and if it’s improved since 2023. The excellent volunteers from Climate Emergency UK have surveyed all UK Councils and collated results in a fascinating table.
Want to find out how Mole Valley has done? District Councils’ Climate Action Scorecards | Climate Emergency UK
We’re not letting on…
But check our updated website for the results. (Might not be tomorrow…)
For those concerned about local govt reorganisation – and who isn’t – it’s worth taking a look at the other councils you’ll be joining, as well as your own.
HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS – AND SUCCEED
The same excellent group is running a FREE online training course on Tuesday March 10: 09:30 – 15:00 Grants & Trusts Fundraising Applications Training Apply early as places are limited.
Offer help (eg updating the website, though we can’t pay).
Send us info from your groups so we can include it in the next newsletter.
Join us and help our future campaigns.
Forward this to your friends and encourage them to sign up for our newsletters / look at our website: Dorking Climate Emergency | Surrey Based Climate Action Group
Stay cheerful. There’s a LOT of good stuff going on.
Pat and Paul
