#EssexInTransition

In a nutshell we are a family living in Essex who are extremely concerned about the climate and ecological emergency, our children’s future and the alarming lack of preparedness shown by our communities to deal effectively with the consequences of a rapidly changing climate.

The United Nations have called for a wartime-style mobilisation and a paradigm shift in thinking to combat Climate Change. Well, we are very sorry but we don’t see that happening here in Essex.

So we came up with a plan to do more than just stand outside Parliament waving our homemade placards. Instead, we will attempt to act as a catalyst to raise more public awareness of the problems and stimulate community action to prepare for what’s ahead.

Of course, we aren’t going to do all that needs to be done alone, now, are we?

The strategy for our #EssexInTransition project is a simple one: get key elements of the third sector in Essex and local concerned citizens under the same roof, so to speak. Then encourage debate and collaboration leading to action appropriate to the situation and challenges facing our communities.

Our website and social media activity will act as a showcase of solutions to raise awareness and stimulate debate within the general community.

To get things going we are inviting members of six different networks already operating in Essex to come together and help realise the power and the potential of starting to talk with each other.

We hope together we can design and fund resilience building community-owned projects that will benefit the whole Essex community and the generations yet to come.

We will endeavour to work together with common sense and a common purpose towards a Transition of Essex communities:

Creating a community think tank

The six networks we are inviting to the table are:

1. Transition Towns Network

Transitioners and those already getting on with what needs to be done. They have lots of resources and expertise and are ready willing and able to help others to do the same.

2. Eco Church A Rocha Network

Dozens of local Christian churches going for gold while going for green. We will, of course, follow a multifaith approach to this network and welcome input from all of our community faiths.

3. Essex University Network

Sustainable academia and expertise with 20 thousand plus students with a very large stake in a brighter future.

4. Pesticide Free Towns (PAN-UK) Network

The science and sensibility of the continued use of toxic cocktails of chemicals in our streets, schools and places we play. Even though they have been proven time and again to be deadly to people, pets and planet. A diverse network from organic gardeners, bee keepers, childminders and landscapers to scientists and dog walkers.

5. Essex wider 3rd Sector Network - 13 Essex Voluntary Associations and their members

Charities of all types forward-thinking enough to declare a climate and ecological emergency and realising the vital role they must play in supporting community sustainability initiatives with their own expertise, influence, leadership and investment.

6. The Greens

Organisations and individuals from across the Essex Green spectrum from conservation to confrontation.

HOW MUCH WILL ALL THIS COST?

So far we have funded BFB ourselves but it hasn’t been easy. So we are reaching out for help to secure funding for the next 12 to 18 months of our work. Like most people we need to pay the rent, the bills and feed the kids but that won’t take much. As a not-for-profit company we can put all the rest to good use and the more we can raise the more we can achieve. We are just getting started and there is a tremendous amount of work to do. So if you like the sound of what we are doing then please feel free to help out if you can.

To read more about our #EssexInTransition Project or to get more involved please visit https://boilingfrogsblog.org/