Felixstowe's Citizen Science Group (FCSG) contribute data to support a local climate justice strategyOn 2 July 2022, Felixstowe's Community Nature Reserve (FCNR) organised the first climate justice march in the local area. They aimed to promote six climate justice solutions:
Since the march, further Climate Justice solutions have been added to this list. They include the encouragement to support Fairtrade products (and the Felixstowe Fairtrade Forum) and advocating for car sharing and using Electric or Hybrid cars for domestic use. A short film summarising the first six climate justice solutions. Solar PanelsOne of the initial solutions was to recommend installing PV panels. To support this, FCSG supplied data from a network of nine sets of PV panels that were installed in the Felixstowe area in July 2011. As a result, FCSG was able to supply convincing real-time data collected through Bluetooth Sunny Beam wireless recorders. The data showed that each panel had saved almost 68,000 lb (30.8 tonnes) of CO2 since being installed (as of 14 October 2022). It also showed that the average total revenue for each PV panel since 2011 was almost £19,000, demonstrating that they hold considerable environmental and financial incentives. In November 2022, Felixstowe's citizen scientists published a forecast of how financial income from local PV panels might grow over the next five years. The forecast reinforced the role PV panels can play in a climate justice strategy. Electric/Hybrid carsThe second stage of FCNR's climate justice work includes advocating for electric and hybrid cars for domestic use. For this case study, FCSG chose a vehicle to analyse in detail: the Hyundai Tuscon 1.6 TGDi Hybrid 230. They found that it can achieve 59 mpg (i.e. 20.88 km/l) and reach 65 mph (106.6 km/h) while running purely on the electric part of the hybrid engine. Felixstowe's citizen scientists continue to collect data to support the hybrid technology's role in local climate justice strategy. Smart metersAnother case study will set out to provide data to support the use of smart meters. FCSG have chosen the EOn smart meter for its clarity of data and ease of reading. However, data collection is still in the early stages and continues at the time of writing. These are just some ideas of how locally based citizen scientists can play a meaningful role in developing climate justice strategies and solutions, with opportunities for data collection, analysis and visualisation. These examples should inspire other citizen scientist groups to get involved with developing climate justice strategies in their local communities.
Information on the work of Felixstowe's Citizen Science Group may be found on their Facebook page.
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Red cage fungus Clathrus ruberThe 6th Suffolk record of this extraordinary species. Found in a garden by Aimee Dines-Davey
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Bats and Arboriculture – Scoping surveys for arboristsOnline | 27 June & 4 July 2022 (2 afternoons) "Very good introduction to bats in relation to ecology, the law and tree use." Course participant, 2017 This Lantra-accredited course, developed by the Bat Conservation Trust and supported by the Arboricultural Association, will enable participants to carry out tree works with consideration for the potential effects on bats and their habitats. |
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Mammal Society – Wild Boar WorkshopOnline | 24 June 2022With the re-emergence of Wild Boar in recent years, its impact is increasingly felt in some parts of England, yet the animals themselves remain largely elusive and much still remains to be learnt about them. This one-day workshop will start with a series of zoom sessions examining the boar’s history, behaviour, ecology, impacts, public perception and management. Our expert trainer will lead a ‘virtual’ afternoon walk in the Forest of Dean to show you field signs linked with this elusive mammal. A question/discussion session will follow after the virtual walk has concluded. |
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Plantlife launches appeal for more wildflower meadowsThe UK is one of the most nature depleted places on earth. Since the 1930s, we have lost 97% of our meadows and they now cover less than 1% of the UK. 10 years ago Plantlife called for action to turn the tide on the fate of our wildflower meadows. Alongside our conservation partners, we identified the best meadow in counties across the UK, harvested its seed and used it to create new meadows nearby. The Coronation Meadows project helped Plantlife develop a really effective way to create new meadows. As we celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, the legacy of Coronation Meadows lives on. The knowledge gained is now helping Plantlife to create and restore more meadows, with almost 5,000 hectares created and restored since 2013. Plantlife wants to restore another 10,000 hectares by 2030 to give today’s children a chance to experience what has been lost in just two generations. Can you help multiply meadows again? |