Central England Friends focus on carbon
The fourteenth Low Carbon Commitment Forum took place on 15 October
More than a dozen Friends from seven Meetings attended the Central England Quakers Low Carbon Commitment Forum in Coventry on 15 October.
The event was the fourteenth such meeting in Central England and focused on the eastern part of the Area Meeting, Chris Martin, clerk of the forum, explained. It was inspired by the Yearly Meeting Gathering held in Canterbury in 2011.
The forum began with worship, following by a discussion of Coventry Meeting’s journey towards becoming a low carbon community. Friends heard how the Meeting house roof was insulated, the windows double-glazed and electric storage heaters replaced with direct glass heating. Solar photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof, and the lighting was upgraded and changed to LED. Significant work was also done on the Meeting house garden earlier this year to turn it into an eco garden (see the Friend, 5 August).
Keith Hitchcock updated Friends on Sutton Coldfield Meeting’s efforts to make its Meeting house more sustainable. He spoke of a major project launched in 2015, which included the installation of cavity wall insulation, new double-glazing and a new heating system. Photovoltaic panels were installed. The work to the Meeting house has led to a drop in electricity consumption of some sixty per cent.
Ali Jeffery explained how a green group at Warwick Meeting is using an Eco Church award scheme action plan as a framework for its sustainability activities.
Friends spoke of steps they had taken, as individuals and within their Meetings, to live more sustainable lives. These actions ranged from eating seasonally and repairing white goods rather than replacing them to fitting bike racks at Meeting houses.
Friends also discussed some the challenges they faced, among them the discouragement that arises from being surrounded by ‘excess’ and the difficulties in living simply.
