Introduction to CEBH

This was an early article written at the beginning of CEBH (as it was then) and printed in the Cottage.

Download pdf: Introduction to CEBH

As we write, the climate emergency is dominating the headlines. On Friday 20 September millions of young people and adults in 185 countries took to the streets to demand action by their governments to address climate change. Hundreds gathered in Exeter in what was thought to be one of the biggest demonstrations in the city in recent times. Following this the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 took place on 23 September. There have been devastating weather events in the Bahamas, Spain and other parts of the world. The climate emergency is considered by many to be the most important issue facing the world at the present time.

This sometimes feels like something we can do little about, but we believe we can do something if we all pull together.

Bovey Tracey Town Council declared a climate emergency in July this year and has pledged to do whatever is in its power, working with residents, to make Bovey Tracey and Heathfield carbon neutral by 2025. That’s only six years away …..

So what are we doing?

Baseline

We’re endeavouring to plot our baseline, so that we can monitor our progress over the next six years and beyond.

Communications

We’re letting everyone know about the emergency and what we can all do, through a new Facebook page – Climate Emergency: Bovey & Heathfield, these Cottage articles and future newsletters and events.

The Big Switch

Our Big Green Switch initiative is here. Switching to a green energy tariff is one the simplest and most impactful things we can all do to fight global heating. CEBH is encouraging local businesses and homeowners to switch energy provider to one that offers a genuine green tariff – sourcing power from renewable sources. When a typical home switches to a renewable tariff it cuts its carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking an average car off the road off six months. Switch your home to clean, affordable energy today and join others in Bovey & Heathfield moving to a cleaner, greener world. Visit www.bigcleanswitch.org/actnow or call 0800 2494770

Plant trees

We’re looking at where trees could be planted on council land and plan to encourage everyone to plant trees in gardens and larger areas of private land.

Transport

We’d like to see improved cycling facilities and security in Bovey and Heathfield and at Drumbridges roundabout, for anyone who wishes to catch the Southwest Falcon bus.

We’ll argue for a rapid bus route on the old train line from Heathfield to Newton Abbot.

We plan to encourage car sharing wherever possible.

Plastic free

Bovey Tracey and Heathfield have already made progress on becoming plastic free, in conjunction with Surfers against Sewage.

We have now combined our two Facebook pages. There will be further litter picks and work on banning plastic bags, plus accreditation of businesses which are reducing their use of plastic.

Reduce food waste

We can all do something to reduce our food waste, by shopping with care and becoming more aware of the issue. We also plan to look at using wormeries and possible community composting. Update see Bovey Community Fridge

Energy efficiency

We’re going to consider the energy efficiency of all our public buildings.

Recently Bovey Tracey Town Council agreed to look at the possibility of installing an air source heat pump in the new council building, rather than use a gas boiler to provide heat. There will also be solar panels.

Repair and make your own

Facilitate establishment of a repair shop and also encourage people to lead workshops to make your own soaps, food wraps etc to minimise plastic.

Eco-friendly gardens

With 60% of species having become extinct since 1970 it’s important that we all make space in our gardens for wildlife. CEBH is working with Dartmoor Gardens to provide a free advice service on making your garden more wildlife friendly.