Southampton working holistically to deliver
Sustainable Lifestyles
by Ashley Phillips
[To
view biodata and contacts, click here]
The
Sustainable Lifestyles Group project is an exciting innovative large-scale
community project created by two environmental groups, the Southampton
Sustainability Forum (SSF) and the Environment Centre (tEC) which has been
funded by the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board (SRB 6) in Western Southampton.
The
overall project is made up of six linked projects that will involve a wide range
of people from within the community. Each
project will focus on a specific topic but the overall effect will be the
raising of awareness of sustainability issues with realistic advice and simple,
low-cost and effective solutions.
Schools,
local businesses and residents will be involved in reducing local environmental
impacts and improving the quality of life in the area.
The
project is the brainchild of myself and colleagues at the Environment Centre (tEC),
where I am hosted. Organisation and
delivery is being co-ordinated by the Environment Centre (tEC) with direct input
from all its divisions including Business Services, Solent Energy Efficiency
Advice Centre, the Shannon Community Project and the Southampton Sustainability
Forum.
This
holistic approach by tEC and the SSF mirrors that of the project in that all the
elements as a whole will have a much greater impact on the community than any
individual part.
The
timetable for the project runs from April to December 2003 with an event to mark
the successful completion planned during early December.
The
six individual projects are;
1.
Environmental play area.
This will create a play area appropriate for younger children in the
Millbrook area, which will be part of a wide community consultation to find out
what people really want, designed and constructed with sustainable materials.
2.
Demonstrating renewable energy.
This will involve the purchase and installation of renewable energy
equipment at the Down To Earth Centre, the City farm in Millbrook: Solar PV
panels, for creating electricity and solar thermal for hot water It is designed
to promote energy consciousness and encourage the use of renewable energy. There
will also be classroom solar kits and a hydrogen fuel cell kit to see the energy
of the future at work.
3.
Sustainability through creativity.
Using creativity as a learning tool this aims to promote and encourage
recycling by creating a sculpture made from waste materials. Working with the
Youth Action Forum (a group of pupils from Redbridge school and Millbrook school
volunteering in an out of school project). We are creating a giant 3D recycling
logo (3 turning arrows) filled with concrete casts of plastic bottles and cans
representing the permanence of waste if it is not recycled. The sculpture will
be exhibited around the Outer Shirley area, and will start and finish the tour
at Redbridge community school playground, with thanks to the Headmaster.
4.
School environment pilot.
Educational material, to stimulate and involve pupils in environmental
issues affecting their daily lives, will be developed and delivered in
conjunction with free energy, waste and water audits to six schools in the area.
Did YOU know?? – Most schools in the UK spend up to three
times as much on waste, water and energy as they do on books and
equipment?
5.
Business energy, waste and water audits.
30 free energy, waste and water audits will be provided for businesses
within the Outer Shirley, Millbrook and Redbridge areas (Western Southampton).
This will not only enable businesses to save money, but will also promote
awareness and give information and support to employees.
6.
Home energy checks. This
will deliver low-cost practical advice and support to residents in the area to
help lower fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions at little or no cost.
Did YOU know?? – If each of the 11,000 residents of the
Outer Shirley area used an energy efficient light bulb in place of an ordinary
one it could reduce carbon emissions by up to 3,250 tonnes per
year and save £10
per household on electricity bills?
Biodata
and further information:
Ashley
Phillips
If
you would like to find out more about the SSF: www.southampton-sustainability.org