New grass roots network for low carbon communities

The last few weeks have been busier than ever as we prepared for the Low Carbon Communities Conference in Llangollen last weekend.
But, it has been worth it as delegates voted overwhelmingly to support a network organised by and for grass roots low carbon communities.
Of course this probably means my workload is going to increase, but how exciting to think that Chester will be the home of the first network to support community groups working in partnership to communicate the benefits of a low carbon lifestyle and the need to support governments as they create robust climate change policy.
There were several Cheshire groups represented at the conference, including Nicola Percival from Bollington Carbon Revolution who spoke to a packed hall about the need for community groups to be informed and consulted by policy makers. It was a shame no formal representative from Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral could attend, but those of us who live in the village were able to share some news with other community groups and we promised to keep everyone informed of progress on the microgrid as we hear. Of course, no-one in the village really knows what's in store, but the planning applications that went in last month for 10 metre high weather measurement equipment would seem to hint that wind turbines could be part of the solution. Chatting to other residents in the village it would appear that there is some confusion about what a microgrid is and what it will do - the important thing is that the technological innovations it promises are accompanied by significant carbon reduction by residents.
Straight after the conference I travelled to Oxford University to take part in workshops on the theme of "Engaging the Public in Climate Change and Energy Demand Reduction". I came away with plenty of food for thought, particularly about the kind of language community groups use to communicate the threats we face as our climate changes. I'm going to be far more careful about using "carbon jargon" in future and make sure that the opportunities for living a more fulfilled and meaningful life are communicated by us all as we try to plan for what the Government is now calling a "climate resilient" society.
And if you have any ideas about how that might look leave a comment here. I have 2 copies of George Marshall's Carbon Detox" to give away to the most imaginative responses.