If your Church is considering solar panels then you should come to our conference.

Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Church of Scotland would like to invite you to a conference which will look at options and challenges of installing solar panels in church buildings. The conference will take place on 29 October, 10am-3.30pm, in Partick South Church Glasgow.

This is a practical conference with speakers from congregations who have carried out solar panel installations and energy conservation projects.

Full details here:

http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/events/solar-panels-in-church-buildings/

Faiths have people power.

Interesting article by Ian Christie (Fellow of the Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey) in Moving Mountains - how can faith shape our future? published by Forum For the Future:

...... faiths have people power: four in five of us are, to some extent, members of faith communities. If just a fraction of this huge body of believers were to connect their faith to sustainable development and act accordingly, with the support of their institutions, the gains could be world-changing.
(from A World of Faith by Ian Christie)

Read the full publication containing this article here (pdf file).

Screening of the film "Just Do It" in Edinburgh

This event in Edinburgh may be of interest:

Thursday 11th August, Saturday 13th - Monday 15th Edinburgh Filmhouse.
Tickets available from the Filmhouse.

Just Do It - a tale of modern-day outlaws 
a film by Emily James

Just Do It lifts the lid on climate activism and the daring troublemakers who have crossed the line to become modern day outlaws. Emily James spent over a year embedded in activist groups such as Climate Camp and Plane Stupid to document their clandestine activities. With unprecedented access, Just Do It introduces you to a powerful cast of mischievous and inspiring characters who put their bodies in the way; they blockade factories, attack coal power stations and glue themselves to the trading floors of international banks despite the very real threat of arrest.

Their adventures will entertain, illuminate and inspire.

"Rousing stuff" **** EMPIRE

"Smart, funny, adrenalised portrait of 21st-century activism" Danny Leigh, The Guardian

Watch the trailer here.

The screening at on the 11th August will be followed by a Q&A with director Emily James and activist Dan Glass. Presented by Take One Action, Scotland's global action cinema project.

Thursday 11th - 6pm
Saturday 13th - 1:20pm
Sunday 14th - 6pm
Monday 15th - 6pm

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Key behaviour changes in combating climate change.

The following is a list of ten personal behaviours which the Scottish Government has identified as being key to reducing Scotland's carbon emissions. Eco-Congregation Scotland already addresses many of these through our programme, but we thought it would be useful to circulate the list. They are all relatively small and achievable changes. Which of these are you addressing in your personal lifestyle?




Key Behaviour Areas Set

Home Energy
1. Installing a more efficient energy system or generating your own. (Replacing inefficient boilers with condensing boiler and/or microgeneration (e.g. solar water heating, biomass boiler, heat pump))
2. Keeping the heat in. (Insulation, draught proofing, double glazing)
3. Better heating management (Turning down heating thermostat to between 18C-21C, reducing the hours heating is on, and turning down hot water thermostat [to a max of 60 degrees]).
4. Saving electricity (Buying energy efficient appliances, lightbulbs, TVs and other products, when these need to be replaced. Washing clothes at low temperatures.)


Transport
5. Becoming less reliant on the car. (Walking, cycling, using public transport and/or car sharing instead of driving)
6. Driving more efficiently (Using a low carbon vehicle [fuel efficient, hybrid, alternative fuel or electric] and
following eco-driving principles)
7. Using alternatives to flying where practical (e.g. train or teleconferencing for business)

Food 
8. Avoiding food waste
9. Eating a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables, locally in season where we live

Consumption 
10. Reducing and Reusing (This could involve reusing and repairing products to give them a second use and only replacing when necessary. Avoiding unnecessary packaging.)


(From Scottish Government CLIMATE CHANGE BEHAVIOURS RESEARCH PROGRAMME UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2011)

Job Vacancy at Church of Scotland Climate Change Project

Could you help the Church of Scotland respond to climate change?  We are looking for someone to work part time to help run the climate change project.  If you are interested take a look at our website, but hurry, as the closing date is Monday 8 August. Ring me if you would like to know more.

Adrian Shaw (0131 225 5722)

Further details here:

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/vacancies_and_volunteering/vacancies/administrator_climate_change

Ever wondered where the Eco-Congregation Award plaques come from?

Our Eco-Congregation Award plaques are made by the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, from old church pews. You can read an interesting article about their work with unemployed people here: http://gh.cm/qIdIV3