Norfolk Incinerator Song

Video of the King's Lynn/Downham Market incinerator protest at County Hall last Friday, shot by William Alderson. Song by Nico and the Downham Market Underground (John Preston - Downham and Villages in Transition)

Norwich's Occupation thinks about Climate Change and Monetary Reform - 2/3 February

You may have noticed in the press, from friends, or by walking the streets of the cities of this world, that thousands of people have been camping in squares and streets in protest of corporate greed and economic injustice. Norwich has its own occupation going on at Hay Hill, which has been continuously in progress since 15th October in which several transitioners are involved.

Although the constant presence indicates how seriously the issues are that the movement is protesting about, its real strength lies in the conversations that it has been inspiring amongst ordinary people about our economic and social structure, what is wrong with it, and what the possible solutions might be.

Occupy Norwich has several working groups which are trying to determine the nature of our concerns and form consensus on possible outcomes and solutions. The Climate Change working group (who have generally been meeting Tuesdays at 7pm at the Occupy Norwich camp) have already come up with some statements which have been agreed by consensus.

There is also a Monetary Reform working group (Wednesdays at approx. 7pm at the Occupy Norwich camp), which has been discussing the nature of money and the alternatives to the current system. Minutes from the last Monetary Reform working group meeting are here on facebook, or here on the forum. Simeon Jackson

Occupy Norwich is organising an arts festival on 3-5 February: "An amazing assortment of events over a weekend in venues situated across central Norwich. Live Music, DJs, comedians, poets, artists, workshops, great vibes, amazing people, excellent conversation and lots and lots of fun." They are also organising a People's Assembly and have just published the interim results of a local survey. Further information about Occupy Norwich can be found at their website on Facebook on Twitter.

Photo: General Assembly by Mark Watson

Climate Justice March and Rally - 3 December

This year the floods in Pakistan have returned displacing 5 million and killing hundreds. Last year's floods were the worst in living memory with 20 million affected and 2,000 killed. Last year also saw record breaking temperatures in Russia with wildfires and crop failures, while this year we have seen the latest in a series of exceptional droughts in East Africa causing famine in Somalia.

The frequency and severity of weather related disasters is on the increase and scientists tell us this is due to human-induced climate change caused overwhelmingly by the high emissions and high consuming lifestyles of richer countries like our own. It's the poorest and most vulnerable around the world - many of them in Africa where this year's climate talks are being held - who have done the least to cause the problem but who are suffering the most. And all this is set to get worse. Yet climate change and the conversion to a low carbon economy are routinely dismissed as minor concerns.

"Climate Refugee Vigil"

Midnight Friday 2nd on the Thames foreshore near the Millenium bridge
7% of the world's population produce 50% of the world's emissions
7% of the world's emissions are produced by 50% of the world's population

Turn the desolate foreshore alongside the rising waters of the Thames into a 'stage' on which to bring the reality of climate change impacts around the world home to the City of London, the heart of the consumerist carbon-burning economy that created those impacts in the first place....

Climate Justice March
12 noon (Saturday 3rd) Assemble for the march at Blackfriars Bridge. March in support of the tens of thousands mobilising in South Africa to demand climate justice at the Durban Climate Talks.

2.30 - 3.00 pm Climate Justice Rally outside Parliament. Demonstrate the 7% versus the 50% and demand urgent action to achieve a Zero Carbon Britain by 2030.

For more information about here. Find out more about climate justice and the international negotiations here.

Climate Change Actions and Events in Norwich

The Stop Climate Change Coalition (SCCC), the combined climate change voice of over 100 campaigning, community and faith organisations, supported by over 11 million people, are basing their East of England operations in Norfolk. The Greenhouse, Norwich's Environment Centre will be the host office from which the Eastern Regional Mobiliser will manage campaigns and mobilisation in East Anglia, including a Climate Change Exhibition which will be opened on 26 November by Simon Wright MP. This will be followed by a full on African drumming set outside the Forum at 12noon.

The SCCC Eastern Regional Mobiliser, Michael Uwins, said "Norfolk is the obvious place to be. There is a great deal of awareness in the area of the threat of climate change. Numerous SCCC member organisations including RSPB, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, UNICEF, Women's Institute and Christian Aid, work and campaign here. Each has their own agenda but all are united in demanding urgent and stronger action from Government to tackle runaway climate change. Our aim is to build bridges with politicians and we'll be working alongside local campaigning and community groups, unions and schools to make things happen."

On November 28th, the next round of the United Nations climate talks (COP 17) will open in Durban, South Africa. After nearly two decades of negotiations, including the disappointing Copenhagen conference (COP 15), international deadlock has resulted in a failure to establish a binding agreement to curb the release of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Former Norwich MP Dr. Ian Gibson, President of the Norwich and District United Nations Association, also a SCCC member organisation, said: "There was no significant mention of climate change issues at conferences held by the major political parties. The deniers of man made climate change are winning. A fresh political campaign needs to be resurrected to put the issue to the top of the agenda. The scientists have retreated back to their models and laboratories. A summit of concerned individuals needs to be set up. No more Copenhagens please".

To mark the Durban conference, SCCC will be staging a number of African themed events around the country, including many in the Eastern region. Grassroots groups will connect with each other to show local MPs and Government the strength of public concern on climate change.

For more information, please contact: Michael Uwins, Regional Mobiliser (Eastern) SCCC. email: east@stopclimatechaos.org tel: 07530 533747 or 01953 601624 www.stopclimatechaos.org

We Are the 99% #occupynorwich

On Saturday October 15, inspired by the social uprisings that began in Tahrir Square in the Arab Spring and later in the indignado movements in Greece and Spain and the #occupywallstreet campaign people in 961 cities throughout the world spoke out in their squares and meeting places.

In the Haymarket over a hundred of us gathered to discuss the financial system that is squeezing the majority (99%) in favour of the ruling elite (1%). It's a global protest against the existing order, but it's also about taking part in a creative process in which the voices of ordinary citizens converge in order to manifest social change. Real democracy on a planet in a state of crisis.

Our prevailing "official" culture is rooted in the Western “business-as-usual” control of resources that denies rather than reflects systemic collapse. However the myths on which it is based - endless economic growth, the supremacy of the rich and famous - are being eroded as people everywhere are waking up to the reality that we need to create a new story that includes us all. On Saturday several of us from Transition Norwich were there (and one or two still are) as one of the key strands within this new cultural narrative.

Two weeks later the camp, like hundreds across the globe, is still active and holding assemblies, workshops and events like this weekend's The Undead Rise Up to join the 99%', with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (politicians, bankers, media, capitalism/greed), Vampires (politicians/bankers) and Zombies (the 99%)!

Occupy Norwich has also set up an information hub for anyone wanting to find out what this global movement is all about and what can be done locally. Do go along to their camp at the Haymarket or get in touch via Twitter, Facebook or their website.

Charlotte Du Cann

(See also Open Letter of Support to Occupy London by Jay of Transition Wivenhoe)

Photo: poster for #occupynorwich; consensus decision making on Day 2 by Ruski Fari

FILM: Just Do It - 18 October

Just Do It is an observational documentary from award-winning film maker Emily James and it lifts the lid on climate activism. Emily spent a year embedded with a group of climate activists following them as they blockade factories, attack coal power stations and glue themselves to the trading floors of international banks in an attempt to force businesses and governments to adopt more environmentally responsible approaches.

The film is a powerful testament to those who refuse to sit back and allow the eco-systems and environmental infrastructure to be destroyed. Their adventures will entertain, illuminate and inspire.

It will be screened in Lecture Theatre 1 and is free to attend thanks to support from PSI and an anonymous donation. Doors open at 7pm. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Ella Gilbert, a local climate activist featured in the film; Dr Rupert Read (Reader in Philosophy, regional co-ordinator and Norwich Councillor for the Green Party), and Lucy Baker (Doctoral student in DEV and academic observer from within the Bella Centre at the Copenhagen Climate summit). Erik Buitenhuis

Watch the trailer here

Just Do It Time: 7pm Venue: UEA Lecture Theatre

FILM: Just Do It! at Cinema City - 16 August

Just Do It - a tale of modern-day outlaws - a film by Emily James is showing this Tuesday at Cinema City at 8.30pm. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with producer Lauren Simpson and exec producer Christo Hird.

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

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.

Further info: In May This Low Carbon Life published an in-depth report about the relationship between activism and Transition, inspired by this grassroots documentary.

Watch the trailer here
Invite your friends to the facebook event here.
Tickets are available here.

Get in for free! If 5 of your friends book their tickets in advance, we'll give you a free ticket. All you need to do is send the names and email addresses of your friends who've booked to our Outreach Coordinator Molly at screenings@justdoitfilm.com

Just Do It is on tour around the UK with screenings from Aberystwyth to Aberdeen, still to go we have Bristol, Birmingham, Aberystwyth, Brighton, Southampton, Exeter, Bath, Lancaster & Torrington.

Transition Norwich Community Woodland

Following a blog entry about the government selling off our national forests, we came up with the idea of buying a woodland together. Subscription is now open for shares in a community woodland. We'd like to buy a woodland within 6 miles of the city limits of Norwich. When one comes up for sale, we'd need to have potential shareholders in place, therefore you need to subscribe now. Subscription does not commit you to buying shares. A typical small woodland costs £5,000 - 50,000 (see e.g. http://www.woodlands.co.uk/). Indicate your interest here.

Andy Wightman: Put forests in the hands of the people.

National Climate March - 4 December

March on Parliament for a Zero Carbon Britain

In the period of the CANCUN UN negotiations on climate change - the first post Copenhagen UN meeting - this is a global day of action on climate.

If you would like to go to London and need info on car-share or find people to link up with contact Trevor Phillips (07794 690322) NorwichCACC@live.co.uk

http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/
http://www.campaigncc.org/ www.stopclimatechaos.org/

If you can't get to London there is another vital event happening in Norwich on this day - The Great Norfolk Anti-Cuts Demo assembling at 12 noon in Chapelfield Gardens.

The anti-cuts momentum is the current battleground for more sensible policies from the government and Norfolk County Council : it includes demands for 'a Million Climate Jobs' - instead of slashing public services and tax revenues. An alternative budget is described by the Norfolk campaign, which seeks to link all progressive forces in Nofolk in demands for jobs, protecting services and a new greener direction. There is also a pledge you can sign. www.norfolkcoalitionagainstcuts.org/

REPORTS - Zero Carbon World Concert

On Saturday evening last, 27th November, we held the first Norwich concert at St Thomas’ Church Hall on Earlham Rd.

We were very nervous about attendance as only a few people bought tickets in advance, and the forecast was freezing weather with snow and ice....

The snow and ice caused delays all round, and it took us a while to figure out how to work the hi-tech switches to turn off the hall lights! When we eventually started the concert we had only about 20 people, but they just kept coming, and in the end we had 60-70 in all.

We heard great music from Teleri & Kiama, Jimmy & the Magic Shoe, Vic Salter, Ruth Gordon & Friends, Tom Foxe and Andrea.

A single bicycle generator provided power for two lighting strings and a sound system, with just a brief hiccup when the load proved a little too much, so we turned our lights off and asked our cyclist to pedal a bit harder! After we took a few bulbs out we switched our lights back on and had no more trouble. Having only a few lights made a really nice intimate atmosphere which added to the enjoyment of the evening.

Icy roads meant some bus services were suspended, forcing some people to use cars and taxis. Hall lighting had to be used some of the time, and power was needed to heat the soup – cold soup doesn’t really hit the spot! So we didn’t quite achieve zero carbon. But we all felt the concert had been a great success, and a good springboard from which to launch successful Zero Carbon events in the future.

Many thanks to Chris Keene – Zero Carbon World Concerts were his idea and he worked hard to help make them happen – see Zero Carbon World Concert. Thanks also to: Musicians, who gave their time freely, Tom Foxe: For sound, light and music, Teleri Lea: For posters, music and recruitment of other musicians, Lesley Grahame: For much-appreciated hot soup and fruit juice, St Thomas’ vicar Philip Young and Claire Everson for their help and support (Tom Foxe).

Zero Carbon Concert - 27 November

Climate campaigners have organised a zero carbon world concert on the eve of the next UN climate summit to demonstrate that a zero carbon world is both achievable and fun. The concert will consist of a number of events all over the world – in England, Wales, Holland, Italy, Poland, Sierra Leone, China, Australia and the USA.

The summit begins on 29 November and there will be an event in Norwich on 27 November featuring Vic Salter, Pedalo, Ruth Gordon and Jimmy and the Magic Shoe in the St Thomas Church Hall, Earlham Rd. It will be acoustic so that it causes no carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, people will be encouraged to travel to the event without emitting carbon. They are asked to walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of driving – unless they have an electric car powered by green electricity, or a diesel vehicle using waste vegetable oil. Also, the venue will be unheated - we've asked them to turn off the gas central heating - so dress accordingly!

N.B. Norwich Critical Mass Bike Ride is on Friday 26th, NOT Saturday 27th as stated in error on some Zero Carbon Concert posters. Concert organisers apologise for this error.

Tickets are £2 in advance (from Chris Keene, 01603 614535, 07801 250982 chris.keene@tiscali.co.uk) or £3 on the door. You can have a look at the website for the zero carbon world concert for a zero carbon world at http://www.zerocarbonconcert.org/

The Big Climate Connection - 5 and 6 November

In 2009 Stop Climate Chaos organised The Wave – the UK’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change. This year the Coalition are calling for people to connect with others in their communities and lobby their MP on 5 and 6 November.

With supporters coming together from more than 100 organisations, we hope to show MPs that people from all walks of life – from environment to development groups, from unions to local community and health groups – are calling for action on climate change.

November is a key time for climate politics, giving everyone an important opportunity to influence world and local issues. A new Energy Bill is on the way, which could make it easier and cheaper to improve the energy efficiency of homes, and clean up the emissions of the electricity we use. Lobbying our MPs will influence and strengthen the bill in parliament. It also comes three weeks before the UN Climate Talks in Cancun, so we can ensure MPs push for key policies for significant progress towards a fair global climate deal.

Stop Climate Chaos (SCC) is the largest coalition of groups and individuals dedicated to taking action in the UK on climate change and limiting its impacts. Trevor Philips is the coordinator for Norwich South constituency 'big climate connection' lobby and will be speaking with Simon Wright MP on 5 November. To join in, register as a lobbyist on http://www.thebigconnection.org/

The National Climate March in London takes place on 4 December. If you'd like someone to organise a coach from Norwich, contact Trevor. http://www.campaigncc.org/ Trevor Philips: 07794 690322 NorwichCACC@live.co.uk

For further details: http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/

Climate Emergency - Saturday Night Sunday Morning vigil - 15/16 May

Join other transitioners and climate campaigners for this Post-election event organised by Campaign Against Climate Change to remind the new government that dealing with the climate crisis needs to be their top priority. The organisers write “Light a candle for science, reason and truth; for action for the climate emergency; for climate justice and the world’s poorest, for the young and future generations and for positive solutions; climate jobs, green energy and a zero-carbon Britain. Let the new government know that you care and you’re watching them.”
Assemble 11.00 pm outside St Martin's in the Fields, Trafalgar Square for the Candlelit Procession down Whitehall. For further details: http://www.campaigncc.org/

If you can’t join the 'Vigil-istas' right outside the home of government can you organise or attend an overnight vigil in Norwich - perhaps outside the Forum or the surgery of the newly elected MP, or wherever you feel most appropriate? Let me know at training@transitionnorwich.org and I’ll try to coordinate those interested. (Christine Way/Core Group)

http://www.campaigncc.org/sites/www.campaigncc.org/files/imagepicker/a/anton/candle-flame-and-reflection%20200%20-%20extrablack.jpg

REPORTS - All Change on the Western Front

The Wave in London
On 5 December Transition Norwich travelled down to London to take part in The Wave, the biggest climate march in history, when thousands converged on the capital to bring attention to the planetary crisis being discussed by the nations of the world at Copenhagen. It was a big march with 50,ooo people dressed in all shades of blue: royal blue dragons, sky-blue banners, turquoise wigs, indigo-striped faces. While MPs and campaigners spoke eloquently and passionately at Speakers' Corner, thousands gathered in Grosvenor Square before moving through the great shopping and political highways of the West End towards Parliament. Placards supplied by political and religious organisations declared an end to climate chaos, poverty and capitalism, brightly coloured homemade ones (including our own) from all round the UK declared Climate Emergency, Cardiff is Ready and There is No Planet B.

Along the way and as we circled the Houses of Parliament both sides of the Thames we met fellow Transitioners - from Ipswich and Bungay at Speakers' Corner, from Berkhamsted by the Houses of Parliament, from Brixton, who were carrying a banner over Westminster Bridge. At three o’clock Big Ben sounded and a great cheer went up from us all. Was anyone listening? Is this the time when ordinary people get to speak out about the 101 issues that climate change brings to light, rather than give the authorial voice to the scientists and politicians and the corporations who pay for them behind the scenes? It was a beginning. The event went almost unoticed by the media, but we were there resiliently nevertheless.(Charlotte Du Cann/Comms) You can find a full report on the day on http://www.transitionnorwich.blogspot.com/ (Dec 7 tag 'Climate action') and check out the big blue pictures taken by Josiah Meldrum on flickr (http://tinyurl.com/ye2xjvv)

Conversation Cafe on Cultural Change





Transition work is as much about how we do things as it is about what we do. So it was no surprise to find that the opening to this evening's event was in the form of a short play/narrative featuring Kerry, Eric, Mark and Alex. Kerry and Eric seemed very busy driving around doing their supermarket shopping and worrying about their next overseas holiday, while Mark was doing his best impersonation of Jeremy Paxman on them as they went about their business. Alex commented that they didn't appear to be listening.

The evening progressed, world cafe style, as we moved around the different themes in small groups and shared how we might see change in those themes - so how we might overcome the perceived obstacles. As we came together at the end there was no shortage of ideas as to how Norwich might look if even some of these ideas became reality. One new person to Transition commented: " I came along here not knowing what to expect, and nervous.... I am going away having enjoyed myself and learnt a lot". (Chris Hull, Core Group)

Climate Action in Norwich and London - TN reports

In December 2009 in Copenhagen the world’s governments met for what might have been be the last chance to agree on joint global actions to cut greenhouse gases to prevent runaway global warming. It was called ‘the most important meeting in history’. Millions of people were pressing their governments to do more – and to agree the best policies, even if some powerful oil, biofuel and aviation businesses oppose this. There were calls for a declaration of a Climate Emergency so that strong measures can be implemented such as 10% emission cuts by 2010, the building of a new green economy, an end to agrofuel use and protection of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.

The Wave in London

On 5 December Transition Norwich travelled down to London to take part in the The Wave, the biggest climate march in history, when thousands converged on the capital to the planetary crisis being discussed by the nations of the world at Copenhagen.

It was a big march with 50,ooo people dressed in all shades of blue: royal blue dragons, sky-blue banners,turquoise wigs, indigo-striped faces. While MPs and campaigners spoke eloquently and passionately at Speakers' Corner, thousands gathered in Grosvenor Square before moving through the great shopping and political highways of the West End towards Parliament. Placards supplied by political and religious organisations declared an end to climate chaos, poverty and capitalism, brightly coloured homemade ones (including our own) from all round the UK declared Climate Emergency, Cardiff is Ready and There is No Planet B. Along the way and as we circled the Houses of Parliament both sides of the Thames we met fellow Transitioners - from Ipswich and Bungay at Speakers' Corner, from Berkhamsted by the Houses of Parliament, from Brixton, who were carrying a banner over Westminster Bridge. At three o’clock Big Ben sounded and a great cheer went up from us all. Was anyone listening? Is this the time when ordinary people get to speak out about the 101 issues that climate change brings to light, rather than give the authorial voice to the scientists and politicians and the corporations who pay for them behind the scenes? It was a beginning. Our voices were quiet, but we were there resiliently nevertheless (Charlotte Du Cann)

You can find a full report on the day on http://www.transitionnorwich.blogspot.com/ and check out the big blue pictures taken by Josiah Meldrum on flickr (http://tinyurl.com/ye2xjvv)

Climate Emergency Rally and March in Norwich

On Saturday 21 November several transitioners gathered in Chapelfield Gardens to join the biggest ever Norwich Climate March while Tom Harper set up the TN stall on Millennium Plain ready for the Climate Emergency rally. There was a buzz in the air as the organisers and police negotiated the route which had already been agreed. At last the Samba Band with its drums and colourful dancers started and we were on the move, but not for long as the traffic ahead of us came to a standstill on St Stephen’s Street. This gave us lots more time to hand out leaflets and get the message across to the fascinated shoppers that climate change is real and we need to act now. The Transition Norwich banner was up there near the front and was clearly visible on the TV News bulletins that went out over the weekend.

Then hundreds of people gathered outside the Forum for the Climate Emergency Rally where speakers including Dr Ian Gibson warned of the dangers of runaway climate change and of this being the “biggest issue of our time”. County Councillor Andrew Boswell said: "Gordon Brown should declare a National Climate Emergency and tell it like it is” and our very own Tully and Kate spoke about some of the solutions and all the positive things that are already happening in Transition Norwich and Bungay. (Christine Way)

While many people travlled to Copenhagen for a Global Day of Action midway through the talks. candlelight vigils and call-to-actions took place all over the planet. On Saturday 12 December Norwich joined 800 cities in 81 countries in mourning for what we have lost, celebrating what we care about and want to preserve and demanding that those in Copenhagen act while they can. (Lesley Grahame)

TckTckTck includes Avaaz, 350.org, Greenpeace, Oxfam, WWF, and many others.