Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth

Welcome to the Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth!

The project to raise awareness of the climate – and our collective action to address it in the Sid Valley.

Founded in 2022, we are a partnership of Sidmouth Town Council and other local organisations – including the Sidmouth Churches, the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors , the Sidmouth Science Festival , Sidmouth schools and the Vision Group for Sidmouth

We are open to anyone living or visiting or interested in the Sid Valley community

Our aims include organising events, publicising support on reducing our carbon footprint, looking for opportunities to live more sustainably and celebrating success through the media.

Come join us at CAPS!

Welcome to the CAPS monthly newsletters!

Welcome to the new-look newsletters from the Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth – based on the excellent newsletters from the Devon Climate Emergency.

These will look at the positive stories of what’s happening in the Sid Valley and East Devon when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and living more sustainably. And if you have any local news and stories around the climate, do get in touch @ https://caps.vgsidmouth.co.uk/contact-us

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Giving East Devon’s rivers legal rights

Looking beyond the immediate impacts from the weather these last weeks, we are now asking more fundamental questions around giving England’s rivers legal rights.

This debate has now come to our own waters, with the decision in East Devon to recognise the rights of rivers.

The move makes East Devon District Council only the 12th council nationally to recognise the “rights of rivers”, essentially considering them as a legal entity with rights.

Giving East Devon’s rivers legal rights – The Sid

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Earth’s heat to power 10,000 homes in renewable energy first for UK

And a first for the West Country:

The UK’s first geothermal power plant has been turned on, providing a completely new type of renewable electricity using hot water from underground.

Earth’s heat to produce electricity for homes in UK clean energy first – BBC News

After 20 years of work and £50 million in funding, the landmark United Downs plant near Redruth and Truro has begun commercial operations. This pioneering facility is set to provide new clean, renewable electricity that doesn’t rely on the British weather, opening up exciting opportunities for the future. The project has already secured a long-term deal with Octopus Energy to deliver this “always-on” power directly to British homes.

10,000 homes powered by Cornwall’s heat – Radio Exe

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“SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers”

There’s now an excellent guide to the environment groups of the Sid Valley with the publication of a leaflet devoted to “SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers”.

Conceived and put together by Cllr Kevin Walker, designed by Lyndsay Hooper and funded by the town council, the “SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers” leaflet and interactive map give very handy reference points to the green groups of the Sid Valley.

There has now been a gathering of the Sid Valley’s green groups to share ideas, pool resources and work on joint strategies.

“SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers” – Sustainable Sidmouth Champion Awards

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Contribute to the Marine & Green Charter

“…to promote a joined up approach to caring for the Sid Valley”

The Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub has launched an initiative to give us the opportunity to make a powerful and positive statement about what we want for our natural environment and how we can create a resilient community.

By completing the short and straightforward survey and following on from these group and individual inputs, the Marine & Green Charter should show what we all collectively feel about our Sid Valley.

For the survey and more, go to: Marine & Green Charter – Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub

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Street lights switch off made permanent after trial

Street lights will be switched off early or dimmed on a permanent basis on streets across Devon after a year-long trial. Devon County Council has said using less energy on street lighting is saving them about £270,000 a year and reducing carbon emissions by about 200 tonnes a year.

Dan Thomas, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for highways, said: “This decision strikes the right balance between being responsible with public money, tackling climate change and continuing to keep people safe. With the technology we now have, we can tailor lighting to different communities and make changes where they’re needed, including increasing lighting levels if safety issues are identified.”

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You are invited to… “We Are All People of Power!”

Exhibition | from 4th March @ Sidmouth Library

Film & Panel Discussion | 6.30 pm: Thursday 16th April @ Kennaway House

The “We Are All People of Power” exhibition comes to Sidmouth Library on Wednesday 4th March with artist Polly Meyrick’s series of portraits of Devon people “celebrating the human stories behind the energy transition and its far-reaching impact on communities”.

As covered in the latest Herald, this Sidmouth exhibition is to display the renewable energy transition, featuring “stories of eight people across Devon who are helping shape the move to a low-carbon future through cycling, farming, public engagement, and community energy”.

Here’s the poster – which also looks ahead to April 16th, when the exhibition will move to Kennaway House, where we can watch a short film and interact with a panel discussion with energy experts and Sidmouth residents who have made energy-saving changes in their community groups and businesses.

You are invited to… “We Are All People of Power!” – Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth

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‘Confluence – the River Sid and its tributaries’

a free public art display | ending March @ the Riverside ArtSpace

Looking after our river is key to managing our fragile environment – and over the last months, the Sidmouth School of Art has put together an extraordinary and ambitious project.

The Confluence – the River Sid and Its Tributaries project brings people, ideas, knowledge and action together to protect, conserve and enhance the river and its tributaries.

For more info: ‘Confluence – the River Sid and Its Tributaries’ – a new free public art display at the Riverside Art Space – The Sid

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Sidmouth Plastic Warriors

Every first Sunday of the month | Sidmouth Beach Clean

. For more info: Sidmouth Plastic Warriors

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Sidmouth Repair Café

Every last Saturday of the month | St Francis Church Hall, Woolbrook

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/sidmouthrepaircafe/