Eynsham’s Great Big Green Week was a stunning demonstration of the skilled and passionate people already taking on the challenge of the climate and ecological emergency in our area.
It also showed the strength of feeling, demanding urgent action from our leaders. So we have not stopped there.
We have written to Boris Johnson, Alok Sharma and Robert Courts, telling them about our huge efforts and what we expect from them. We had a letter published in the Oxford Times on the climate consensus. You can download our letter on this page. Barbara Hammond from our partners the Low Carbon Hub is heading to Glasgow to highlight the importance of smart and fair local energy.
Coming soon- home retrofit day on 13 November, videos of Great Big Green week and an Eynsham car club.
Join in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice on November 6th. The Oxfordshire COP 26 Climate Alliance has organised a March and Rally in Oxford.
GBGW mobilised 200 people - community groups, businesses, individuals, families and friends- to put on over 60 events and activities over the week. The community of Eynsham and beyond (an estimated 2000 participants) came together to show and celebrate ways of tackling climate change and protecting the environment to realise the many benefits of a greener future. We set out to inspire locals and strengthen the resolve of our politicians to do better in the lead up to COP 26. We were bowled over by the expertise and vision of the community which showed what is possible right now.
Look at our photos from some of the highlights. We kicked off with local farmer Robert Crocker's passionate rallying cry, "Farmer Spare The Hedge" performed by Farmer Crocker himself with accompaniment from Eynsham Community Choir and Eynsham Morris, followed by a rousing speech about the things we can all do to help combat climate change by local businessman and parish councillor, Ross Macken. There were also lively performances from Eynsham Morris and The Horns of Plenty, we gave away plant-based food made from surplus allotment vegetables, held a repair café, craft events, litter picking, and nature yoga sessions. Children were inspired by the Low Carbon Hub's giant grid game, Big Green Day Out competition and 20 science activities from the Eynsham Curiosity Box. Winners of the school holiday competition are helping plan a schools COP26 summit for Eynsham Partnership Academy. An eco trail around the village showcased local green initiatives, gardens, allotments and art installations. We visited a solar farm under construction, heard about the innovative plans for smart and fair green energy around Eynsham, learned about Eynsham’s thriving nature recovery network, swift project and hedgehog highways and bathed in nature at the Peace Oak orchard. There was a real buzz around the village at events like the electric vehicle day and the highly competitive mini formula E races. A survey found encouraging interest in car clubs and car sharing which helps reduce the number of cars- and saves resources, carbon emissions and costs.
On a more reflective note, we held a talk tent chaired by Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Economist at the CBI, and a stellar cast of speakers of all ages offering inspiration and insights on the climate and ecological emergency, green building, the future of energy. Residents shared personal experiences of actions to help the planet, among them car sharing and living car free. Highlights included teenager Lara Hynes, who spoke movingly about her worries for her future and the lack of action and Eynsham’s Market Garden who promote waste-free local food.
We were amazed at the dedication shown in putting the event on, the response from the community and were inspired by the level of concern about climate change shown during the week. A number of people publicly pledged to make personal changes in their life and life styles and some even acted there and then.
Our event was part of a national pattern that saw over 5000 events uniting people across the country.
Well done Eynsham!