Community Composting Revolution
Nicky Scott, otherwise known as Mr Compost, is based in Devon and for many years has been the driving force in Community Composting across the county. This is his story.
When I started a very small community composting project on our allotments in Chagford, on Dartmoor, I had no idea how it was going to grow. Initially, I was frustrated, firstly by people on our allotments having choking bonfires all the time. The smoke would roll down the hill and invade our house; not ideal when you have babies asleep inside.
Secondly, in those days we had ‘bulky household skips’ brought to our car park every month, for people to dispose of stuff the refuse collection couldn’t take. I soon realised a huge amount of garden clippings, hedge prunings, woody waste, grass cuttings and so on was being dumped so I called Devon County Council to suggest that they dedicate a skip just for garden stuff to stop it going to landfill and then we could use it on the allotments. To my enormous surprise they thought it was a great idea! Read more
Rainbows and Hope
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesRead more
Without Nature We Are Nothing
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesVote Wisely for the Planet
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesThe idea is that amongst all the spin, information, misinformation, and media stories, the conflicting reports can to some extent be unravelled and facts presented more clearly to inform people about what government advisors are saying, what candidates are saying, what they are doing, and what the MPs are actually voting for (or against).
MP Watch aims to provide unbiased information about MPs across all parties, so voters can be better informed.
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Confessions of a Reformed Lawn Addict
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesReality was very different. Inconvenient patches of muddy brown forever reappeared, worsening as my mower’s wheels tore into the damp sward. Which remained stubbornly uneven and tufty. Meanwhile, pesky “weeds” as I called them, just kept coming back. Not only had I committed myself to a futile task, I was looking in the wrong direction altogether. Was it all worth it? Read more
A Small Island
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesHorsham Cloth Nappy Library: Changing Nappies Changing Lives
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesWe’re Lucy and Sarah, local mums who loved cloth nappies for our babies so much that we’re now running the Horsham Cloth Nappy Library to support other families! As one of our favourite nappy retailers says, “You can change the world, – one nappy change at a time.”
Most people now recognise the damage single use plastics cause, and we’re making changes. Let’s now extend our thinking to other single-use products! Read more
Sussex is Really Buzzing
/in Biodiversity & Nature, Eco News, Ecology, Education, Events, Fundraising, Take Action/by Carrie CortSussex is really buzzing in 2024 thanks to exciting new collaborations between Sussex Green Living and local businesses: a new way of combining practical solutions to current and future environmental issues with community outreach, fundraising and business wellbeing. The Pollination Education Stations and Green Business Network have been developed in collaboration with Billingshurst based agency PMW Communications as part of their generous gift of pro bono work with 30 local charities to celebrate their 30 years in business.
One week after Sussex Green Living launched these new endeavours at the Sussex Green Hub, the first Pollination Education Station (PES) has been installed. Horsham based business, Envitia Ltd, a digital and data services company based in Horsham, will focus on one charity each quarter and on Monday 4th March, as part of their fundraising and collaboration with Sussex Green Living, they set up their Pollination Education Station, a haven for pollinators, with a community herb bed and an information board.
Sussex Green Living’s new Pollination Education Station initiative
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesSussex Green Living’s new Pollination Education Station initiative! We are proud to announce the launch of our latest initiative, the Pollination Education Station and we are now calling on businesses, pubs, councils, schools, groups, and individuals across West Sussex to get involved.
The Pollin
ation Education Station initiative is a response to the urgent need to address the declining population of pollinators in Britain, which are vital for food production and maintaining ecosystems.
A Pollination Education Station is an eco-luxury destination for essential winged friends, such as solitary bees and butterflies. Each station is a purpose-built structure made from repurposed materials and provides a safe haven for pollinators to shelter, breed, and rest during their vital pollination missions. Each station comes with an educational plaque, creating awareness about the vital role of pollinators and offering suggestions for personal action. Plus a wooden ‘sponsored by’ sign. Read more
Community Composting Revolution
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesCommunity Composting Revolution
When I started a very small community composting project on our allotments in Chagford, on Dartmoor, I had no idea how it was going to grow. Initially, I was frustrated, firstly by people on our allotments having choking bonfires all the time. The smoke would roll down the hill and invade our house; not ideal when you have babies asleep inside.
Secondly, in those days we had ‘bulky household skips’ brought to our car park every month, for people to dispose of stuff the refuse collection couldn’t take. I soon realised a huge amount of garden clippings, hedge prunings, woody waste, grass cuttings and so on was being dumped so I called Devon County Council to suggest that they dedicate a skip just for garden stuff to stop it going to landfill and then we could use it on the allotments. To my enormous surprise they thought it was a great idea! Read more
Transition Horsham’s Annual Seed Swap
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesIt’s spring! Well, nearly …we have some snowdrops out and it’s just glorious to see them. It is at least the promise that spring is on the way, and it’s not just us humans who appreciate the flowers-the insects also appreciate the life-giving nectar in these early blossoms.
If you’re a gardener, you’ll be thinking of what seeds you’ll plant this year too, and Sussex Green Hub’s next meeting on 24th February can help you with that, as Transition Horsham will be hosting their annual Seed Swap. Read more
Keep Lancing Lovely – Ten Years Cleaning Sussex Beaches
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesGive Dry A Try in 2024
/in Eco News, Events, Refill/by Eve DelvesWe started our ‘Give Dry a Try’ campaign in January – but not for the reason you might be thinking – though that’s an excellent idea as well!
From January 27th, the Sussex Green Hub our once a month event is encouraging all to ‘Give Dry a Try ‘ by offering concentrated water-free household cleaning and personal hygiene products, which can then have water added at home.
The photo to the left is one of our volunteers Marilyn showing the bottle she has been refilling for five years, she is now ditching liquid refills and switching to give ‘Dry a Try’!
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Solutions for Sustainable Heating: Navigating Heat Pumps
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesSunday Musings – It’s Time to Fix the Bugs
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesShipley Community Hub: At the Heart of a Village
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesIt offers not only somewhere for playing bridge but encompasses all sorts to join in with! They host monthly talks with themes that cover a wide range of subjects from bees to space missions.
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Rampion Wind Farm Providing Green Energy Since 2018
/in Eco News, Energy/by Eve DelvesThis impressive feat of engineering has been providing green energy since 2018 to around 350,000 homes – around half the homes in West Sussex.
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From the Path to the Shop: Natural Community Food Production
/in Biodiversity & Nature, Eco News, Green Suppliers/by Eve DelvesEmbracing the Green Circular Economy: A Step Towards Sustainable Prosperity
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesEmbracing the Green Circular Economy: A Step Towards Sustainable Prosperity. As we begin to understand the challenges of the future, it becomes increasingly evident that the old story of using consumers (us!) to fuel economic growth by buying stuff they don’t need is of course incompatible with the limitations of living on a small island with finite resources.
Amidst multiple challenges, inspiring local projects are emerging that offer sustainable paths forward. One such project is Community Energy Horsham, which embodies the principles of the green circular economy and paves the way for a more prosperous and resilient future.
Community Energy Horsham is a community-funded renewable energy project which aims to harness the power of solar energy, reducing the community’s carbon footprint and promoting clean, sustainable energy generation. By encouraging local investment and involvement, Community Energy Horsham empowers residents, strengthens community ties and provides opportunities for individuals to participate actively in the transition to a greener economy.
This initiative aligns perfectly with the principles of Kate Raworth’s ‘Doughnut Economy which emphasizes the importance of renewable energy, and using only what we need. By generating clean energy locally, Community Energy Horsham reduces reliance on fossil fuels and contributes to a healthier environment for all.
How Our Pets Are Shaping Wild Bird Communities
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesOur pets bring immense joy and companionship into our lives, but have you ever wondered about their impact on the natural world? As it turns out, our furry friends can have unexpected consequences on the delicate balance of nature. From ground-nesting birds to fledglings in trees, our pets play a significant role in shaping the lives of wild creatures.
A staggering 96% of all flesh on the planet comprises humans and their domestic animals. This statistic highlights the dominance of farming and of our pets in our global ecosystem. With only 4% wild mammals, it becomes crucial for us to play a responsible role in mitigating the effects of our pets and livestock on wildlife. Read more
Beginnings and Endings
/in Eco News/by Eve DelvesIn our culture we tend to celebrate beginnings, but not the end of a cycle and death may be shrouded in mystery with discussion around it often avoided. Now we have a new question to consider in amongst all the choices…What is the best way of leaving our planet in a good state when it’s our turn to go?
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Change is in the Air
/in Biodiversity & Nature, Eco News/by Eve DelvesThe UK’s flying insects have declined by 60% in 20 years. The decline in insects affects all the major groups, not just flying and in the next few decades, as many as 40% of the world’s species could become extinct, including bees, ants and butterflies. Clive Cobie asks the question, ‘”is change in the air?”
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Everything, Everywhere. All at once.
/in Eco News, Take Action/by Eve DelvesHDC candidates who have signed the SECA ABCD pledge ahead of the May 2023 Local Elections
In 1992 the world’s governments signed both climate and biodiversity conventions. That was the time in history when the world, already after significant delay and procrastination, understood our predicament and agreed to do something about it. Since then, no number of conventions, plans, targets, ambitions, or “COPs” (Conference of Parties signing the convention) has made any difference at all to global trends in climate breakdown and nature loss!
This is what failure looks like – 30 years of high ambition and low delivery.
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Fast Fashion – When your t-shirt costs less than your coffee
/in Money saving ideas, Sustainable Fashion/by Eve DelvesRead more
Communities or custodians?
/in Climate Hub, Repair Cafe/by Eve DelvesI can feel a new wave of environmental awareness amongst the communities around us, uniting and supporting each other to reduce our impact on the planet.
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Sussex Green Living – Spreading like Wildflowers!
/in Climate change, Eco News, Take Action/by Eve DelvesThis month’s Sussex Green Ideas webinar focused on the OnePlanet technology platform which is designed to enable users to understand how health, environment, community development and economy are interconnected, and support pathways to action.
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