HOP to Gwyrddio Penarth Greening The Ecology sub committee of Penarth Cytun (Council of Churches)- HOP met for many years expressing concern for an increasingly desperate ecological world condition. They were despondent because people did not understand and were distressed when people commented, “You’re not talking about that again”. They nevertheless persisted and well led by Tricia Griffiths regular warnings were given and also regular advice columns were issued which were published in many church magazines. Similar to water dripping on to a stone and slowly wearing it away the message was finally received and responses were made. Some of the group coincided with thousands of others all over Britain in phoning the Prime Minister recently and he heard. Gordon Brown’s recent statement showed that positive action was being contemplated. The Chinese government have seen the melting snows of the Himalayas as a warning that the situation is serious. The change of administration in the USA and the clear statement of President Obama contrasted with the “head in the sand” attitude of the Bush regime is hugely important. So west and east are both concerned and therefore hope increases of a positive and constructive conclusion to the conference in Copenhagen. Realising that some people are still sceptical about the situation let us answer the basic question what its all about? The science is clear: global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. Global warming is caused by releasing what are called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Many of the activities we do every day like turn the lights on, cook food, or heat or cool our homes rely on energy sources like coal and oil that emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. This is a major problem because global warming destabilizes the delicate balance that makes life on this planet possible. Just a few degrees in temperature can completely change the world as we know it, and threaten the lives of millions of people around the world. As the ice melts and the oceans rise many islands in the Pacific and the coastal regions of Bangladesh are in danger of disappearing. The threat to the Thames basin and London and other major cities of the world is evident. But don't give up hope! You can help by following the advice given by “the HOP group” which similar to all evolutionary developments has like the chrysalis grown into a larger body called Gwyrddio Penarth Greening. This is now the original group plus many supportive agencies such as the Penarth Town and the Vale of Glamorgan Councils, the Wales Environmental Agency and many other interested bodies. All hope is not lost 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. If we are already past 350ppm, and we are, because of our wasteful throw away lifestyle,are we doomed? No. We're like the patient that goes to the doctor and learns he's overweight, or his cholesterol is too high. He doesn't die immediately—but until he changes his lifestyle and gets back down to the safe zone, he's at more risk for heart attack or stroke. The planet is in its danger zone because we've poured too much carbon into the atmosphere, and we're starting to see signs of real trouble: melting ice caps, rapidly spreading drought. We need to scramble back as quickly as we can to safety. We need an international agreement to reduce carbon emissions. The United Nations is working on a global climate treaty which is to be completed in December 2009 at a conference in Copengagen which should be firm for the richer countries but also fair for the poorer countries which need to develop. There is also much to be done locally and many issues will be discussed in the next meeting of Gwyrddio Penarth Greening which will be held in the back room of the Windsor on the corner of Windsor Road and High Street on Monday 7th December at 6pm. We invite you to join us. Gwyrddio Penarth Greening (GPG) Report to Cytun Executive and Council for June, 2010 Overview: GPG has been quietly, but steadily, progressing on several fronts over the last few months. Regular bi-monthly meetings are now held at the Windsor Arms Public House at which there is usually a speaker. These meetings have an attendance of between 20 – 30 and they provide an opportunity for the various project groups to get together, report progress and recruit help. We seem to be attracting people of all ages from across the community which is encouraging. We were fortunate in receiving a grant of £1,000 from Environment Wales for set up costs, a further £650 from Penarth Town Council for the anti-plastic bag project & an anonymous gift of £250 for the orchard project. GPG’s overarching aim remains the importance of raising awareness about climate change and the need for people to adapt to meet the challenges that lie ahead. We are giving talks locally and are happy to provide a speaker if requested. We now have a comprehensive Business Plan and our website is up and running (www.gpgpenarth.org.uk). The projects: There are now 4 active projects: Penarth Plotshare, the Loyalty Card Scheme, an Anti Plastic Bag Group, and a Food Group. A 5th group, keen to set up a community orchard, is waiting in the wings trying to identify a suitable site. The Plotshare scheme was launched last month and aims to bring together people lacking garden space with those with spare land .The Plastic Bag Group is working with Primary school children on a competition to design the panels for a local cotton bag promoting GPG and drawing attention to the dangers of plastic. The Loyalty Card Scheme is well ahead with work on a pilot project that will involve about 20 retailers in a discount scheme – the overall aim being to encourage loyalty to local stores and support the local economy. The Food Group has many ambitions, most of which centre around the need to encourage locally sourced and produced food, and helping people understand the value of quality food that has not arrived in Penarth after very long carbon-consuming journeys. We are looking for a site for a community orchard as there is much interest in trees – planting, growing, protecting and using the produce. Future events and how people can help GPG is taking part in the Penarth Festival and will have a display in the Kymin on Saturday, 17th July about its projects and aims, and a promotion of local, independent, food stores. We are also working with the Eden Project’s Big Lunch idea and are hosting a ‘Bring and Share’ lunch in Cosmeston Park on Sunday, 18th July from 12noon onwards. Help with publicising these events will be much appreciated – posters available soon. We are looking forward to working with a number of other local organisations and the Town Council in bringing the Cittaslow idea to Penarth. Briefly, this is a concept that focuses on the importance of a town’s identity and its heritage, and encourages an environmental approach to living generally. All this may seem a million miles away from Cytun’s original ‘Help our Planet’ group. In fact, at every level, it is just an extension of that early start and it is very good to have several of the original group still actively involved, and we very much value the ongoing support of the local churches. Tricia Griffiths Chair, GPG