Transition Norwich has achieved great things in a short space of time. But are we moving fast enough, urgently enough, or changing deeply enough given the urgency of the threat from climate change?At a packed meeting on 16 June 2009 there was a strong feeling that we could be more radical. One idea that emerged there, and has been developing since, has been to create groups of 10-12 people who are ready to make a really big change in their lives, radically cutting their climate change impact, and want to support each other in that process. The meeting also initiated some new neighbourhood groups (which may or may not be the same thing!)
Transition Norwich 2.0 (TN2) was the original initiating hub group of the Transition Circles. It met several times to explore the main ideas and philosophies behind carbon reduction and how to disseminate them to the outside world. Unlike programmes such as Carbon Conversations or Totnes Together which work to a fixed curriculum and workbook and have a designated faciliator, TN2 activists were engaged in a creative discovery on the cutting edge of carbon reduction.
One of this group's main aims was to create a collaborative community of people taking practical steps to reduce our carbon and environmental footprints. It the Circles first year TN2 looked at how best to seed new groups, securing a £1000 funding from Norwich City Council to help groups get going, as well as collating a skills audit and individual case studies.
Presently TN2 runs a downshift debate on the googlegroup and contributes to the TN blog, This Low Carbon Life. All full-on carbon-cutters welcome to contribute, as well as to join local groups (see website for more details).
Presently TN2 runs a downshift debate on the googlegroup and contributes to the TN blog, This Low Carbon Life. All full-on carbon-cutters welcome to contribute, as well as to join local groups (see website for more details).
For a full story of the development of Transition Circles click here.
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