Here we go...26km to work!

It's 7am and I'm wearing more lycra than I ever dared to imagine...and all in the name of climate week!


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Carb Loading for Climate Week...

Climate Week has largely passed me by...and by the sounds of it...most other people, except our dedicated staff at ReZolve who have been giving up their cars and digging allotments...oh, and those great CoaST'ies (www.cstn.org.uk) who celebrated their 8th birthday this week with a fantastic conference about being 'Positively Deviant' or going against the flow!  which is what we all need to do if we're going to reverse climate change.

So back to the point, Climate Week is very nearly over and so I've left things a bit late in the day to have a big impact, so I thought I would still make an effort to cycle to work...which is no mean feat for me as its 21.6km from start to finish....and most of that is up hill as far as I can see!

Cycling to work is often quoted as a great way to reduce carbon, and indeed it is, but it's not without its challenges in Cornwall, given most people's distance from their home.

However, I'm planning to start cycling to work, at least once a month (this sounds pretty pathetic but at 21.6km each way and 4 hrs out of your day, small things make a big difference) which is not as much as I would like, but given hectic diaries and the logistics of having fresh pants on arrival...it's a big commitment!

There are some other upsides to this carbon offset lark, fitness, fresh air and the great outdoors....and if you're in to great scenery, then I thoroughly recommend the World Heritage Trails in the Luxylan Valley...my starting point for the journey! http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk/ and after that, National Cycling routes which connect vast parts of the country via quiet country lanes and great off-road tracks.  For detailed mapping have a look at the great Sustrans site where you can enter your postcode and see the routes near you. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

So as I sit here contemplating tomorrow mornings 7am start and watching my youngest regurgitate his rice on the floor...carb loading takes on a new meaning!

Yours,

Slightly Apprehensive from St Austell

Climate Inspired Reuse

Several members of the ReZolve team decided to alleviate the need for new goods during Climate Week and turned to reuse instead.  Cynthia our Training Manager is fashioning some cushions covers from her old curtains, Alan our Operations Manager was looking to build some raised beds from reclaimed timber - reusing and growing his own veg (double points)!  And Tara, our Promotions Officer, has had a spring clean and has streamlined her Wardrobe, offering a bag of good quality clothes to her local charity shop.  Tara advises that she is now psyching herself up to tackle her 18 year old's sons wardrobe that hasn't been internally fumigated for nearly three years and still has a primary school uniform hanging in it!

We have also come across this great website which also aims to cut down the need for consumer purchasing but is based around sharing rather than reuse.  It still needs a lot of people to sign up to be really useful but the concept is great: www.streetbank.com

Climate Week

So this week we are all trying to change one thing in our lives as part of Climate Week.  As an organisation ReZolve is always trying to lower our impact on the environment.  We were delighted that a Business Link report found the organisation to be carbon negative but recognise that there is always more that we can do as an organisation and as individuals.  We will bring you a few updates on what our staff have been doing and how they found it.

Our HR manager Becky Hosken and our RE:STORE Administrator Steve Hill have decided to car share as they live fairly close to each other and despite not working at the same site, they do both travel to Bodmin!  They have been taking turns to drive and will be doing so for the rest of the week, hoping to save 112 miles of travel in just this week alone. 

What's even better is that they plan to continue once the week is over.  Becky estimates that if they continue to car share they could save approximately £600 each in a year!!  Not to mention the fuel emissions they are cutting and the wear and tear on their cars.  There are some downsides, in that on the days that they aren't driving they can't get out and about if they need to; but this can be counteracted with forward planning. 

Another plus that Becky has noticed is being more focussed by having a definite leaving time.  Both Steve and Becky recognise that it won't be practical to car share every day but they both see the sense in doing it when they can. 

RE:SOURCE on Pirate FM

The RE:SOURCE team were visited today by Holly Day from Pirate FM.  She brought along some doughnuts with her as a treat for all their hard work and found out about the great work we do at RE:SOURCE.  The volunteers were a little nervous about being interviewed for the radio but we think that they did a fantastic job telling everyone what they do to help out (and I'm sure the dougnuts helped persuade them!!)

Listen to their interviews here:

Peak Oil...does it mean anything to you?

...well if it doesn't then think again...a new Gaurdian article raises fresh concerns that the Saudi oil reserves could be as much as 40% overstated...of course many will dismiss this as scare mongering, but whether its true or not, oil is in ever increasing demand and prices continue to fluctuate and rise, so why not be prepared!

So what is Peak Oil? 

Check out this video which explains all...a bit alarmist?  Make your own mind up...  


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT-ZpYgaHgc

So what can we do about it if it is true.  Well, becoming more self sufficient and using less fuel would help and it will save you money as well.  As oil prices soar, the price of all goods will go up and up, so the more we can protect ourselves against that through self sufficiency and being frugal, the more we will be able to lessen the impact.

Here are a few things you can do and organisations that can help:

1. Make sure your home is well insulated and your energy usage is minimised: http://www.cep.org.uk/info-for-you/info-for-households/insulation/

2. Once you've done that, consider generating your own energy:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SeOjxkGwic

3. Grow you own: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=19803

4. Bike 2 Work - encourage your employer to sign up to the Cycle2Work scheme and get money off a bike for commuting (and private use)  http://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/

5. Drive smart - less heavy on the pedal and you save fuel!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqWnFD2oB3s

And if it isn't true?  Well you've saved a fist full of cash by being a smarter consumer...

ReZolve People...Jack the Cycling Fanatic!

ReZolve has some great people working behind the scenes...and they seldom get their chance to be in the limelight...so we've put some 60 second interviews together...well, Jack has...he's done all the hard work.  Jack's a great guy and came to us as a Future Jobs Fund placement.  He did so well we offered him a job, doing what he does best, marketing and publicity...Jack was pretty nervous when I asked him to become an interviewer...but we think he's done a great job...