POOLE AGENDA 21 ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING (Friday 20th November)

Poole Agenda 21's Annual Review Meeting 2009 will take place on Friday 20th November in the Conference Room of the Civic Centre from 7pm, with the main presentations starting at 7.30pm. Main speaker will be Don Collier, Borough of Poole’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment. There will also be a presentation on the Transition Towns initiative. All welcome. Free admittance and refreshments.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION

Poole Agenda 21 was involved in organising a local event for people in the Poole/Bournemouth/Christchurch areas, which took place on 24th October. The campaigning organisation 350.org called on people around the world to organize a '350 action' at an iconic place in their community and upload a photo of their event to the 350.org website. The organisation collected these images and delivered them to the media and world leaders.

Why 350? Well, 350 parts per million has been identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. And why 24th October? To make the maximum impact on world leaders just before thay meet in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December.

Our local action was to create a “350” image on the beach which was photographed from a clifftop vantage point by Manuela Boeckle.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

At our July meeting, Lindley Owen (Public Health Consultant, NHS Bournemouth and Poole) gave a presentation on the impact of climate change on health and the importance of action to combat climate change/peak oil.

Lindley gave the meeting a fascinating insight into the role of public health in the UK. This covered the NHS's current position of influence through the ‘marketisation’ of the health service, and the importance to the organisation of changing our lifestyles to improve our health in a way which will also combat climate change. So, a further benefit of driving/flying less, cycling and walking more, eating local or home grown food etc., will be improved health and a reduced burden on the health service!

There will be a major UKPHA (Public Health Association) conference on 24/25 March 2010 at the BIC, which will provide an opportunity for local groups like ours to get involved in promoting sustainable living to a wider audience.

TAKE GLOBAL WARMING SERIOUSLY

The campaign to Take Global Warming Seriously is an exercise in national networking. It asks supporters to commit to, and work at propagating, the campaign by persuading their friends, relatives and contacts to join and carry it on. It's approach is to present the facts briefly, accurately and forcefully by means of a campaign leaflet and website. To find out how get involved, visit the Take Global Warming Seriously website.

Next Monthly Meeting - Monday 23rd November

If you are keen to get involved, or just want to come along to see what our meetings are like, you are most welcome. We will be meeting on 23rd November at 7:30 pm in the Civic Centre (Park Gates entrance), in room 134 on the 1st floor. Refreshments will be available.

What else is happening locally to combat climate change, or to make our lifestyles more sustainable ? Please contact us if you have local news to share, or have a look at the South West Observatory for an update on what's happening in our region.

2009 Events

November

Mon 2 - Fri 6 Climate talks in Barcelona

Wed 4 Green Drinks – Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth, 7.30pm

Tue 10 Sir John Houghton, St John’s Church (to be confirmed), Wimborne, 7.30pm

Fri 20 PA21 Annual Review Meeting, Don Collier & talks about the Transition Towns initiative. Rob Hopkins filmed talk and speakers from local groups.

Mon 23 PA21 November meeting

December

Thu 3 Green Drinks – Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth, 7.30pm

Sat 5 Stop Climate Chaos Big March, London

Mon 7 – Fri 18 Copenhagen Conference (Train may be available)

Sun 13 - Friends of Broadstone Nature Reserve, by the noticeboard at the Reserve, 9.30am

Conferences

Sus SW courses “Introduction to Sustainability” 1 day for local government officers E: Clare.Mitchell@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk T: 0117 900 1751

Talk Action frequently run training conferences on Communication (London). They are happy to run conferences in our area for a price!

Thu Nov 5 SWCCIP Conference, Exeter University “CC and Maritime Biology”

The popular and informative PA21 Newsletter is produced on recycled total chlorine-free paper, four times a year, and is currently snail mailed to all members. It can be downloaded by clicking the links below.