"So you’ve declared a Climate Emergency, now what?" > Exeter University > Thursday 23rd May

A 'Climate Emergency' has been declared - by the County Council and by central government:
Futures Forum: Climate change > County Council declares 'climate emergency' but fails to commit to becoming carbon neutral by 2030

On Tuesday, Extinction Rebellion will be meeting:
Futures Forum: Climate Emergency > What could government be doing? > talk and discussion with Exeter Extinction Rebellion > Tuesday 21st May

And on Thursday, Transition Exeter and the University will also be considering where to go next:

So you’ve declared a Climate Emergency, now what?

Thursday 23 May 2019, 6.00 - 9.00 pm

Alumni Auditorium, The Forum, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4SZ

Both Devon County Council and the UK Parliament have declared a Climate Emergency. Transition Exeter has partnered with the Exeter University's Global Systems Institute to run a free public event:  Now what?  

The panel will include Youth Striker Sophie Sleeman, climate scientist Richard Betts, newly elected Exeter Green councillor Diana Moore and Alice Mosely speaking on Citizens Assemblies.  

Book your place now, and bring questions and comments to the meeting on Thursday 

Transition Exeter - Home | Facebook 

With more on the Eventbrite site:

So you’ve declared a Climate Emergency, now what?

Date: Thursday 23 May 2019

Time: 18.00 - 20.00

Venue: Alumni Auditorium, The Forum, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4SZ

Video link: Exchange Lecture Theatre, Penryn Campus

This public event is hosted by the University of Exeter Global Systems Institute in Partnership with Transition Exeter and Exeter Community Energy.

Event Information

On 1 May 2019 UK MPs approved a motion to declare an environment and climate emergency.

More than 60 towns and cities across the UK have already declared "a climate emergency" including Devon and Cornwall County Councils.

Last month the University of Bristol became the first UK university to make a similar declaration. There is no single definition of what "a climate emergency" means but many local authorities state they want to be carbon-neutral by 2030. This will only be achievable through dramatic cuts in emissions which requires social transformation.

What steps are required to achieve rapid and extensive change?

Deep cuts in emissions will involve far-reaching changes to everyday lives, physical infrastructures, patterns of investment and divestment. How can we ensure such change is rapid and extensive, yet also socially acceptable, fair and leaves no-one behind? Research suggests most people are not willing to voluntarily give up consuming meat and dairy products, driving a car and taking overseas holidays.

Is this likely to change? If so, how? What is the potential for a Citizens Assembly to enable social transformation?

This public meeting will explore these issues with a diverse panel and questions from the audience. Join us for some lively discussion and distraction from the European elections!

Panel members

• Event chair: Patrick Devine-Wright, Professor in Human Geography
• Richard Betts, Chair in Climate Impacts
• Alice Moseley, Lecturer in Politics
• A Fridays for Future (Exeter) representative
• Glenn Woodcock, Exeter City Futures
• Local authority / public sector representative (tbc)

A public event hosted by the Global Systems Institute

The Global Systems Institute is applying Earth system science to generating networked solutions. Our aim is to work with others to secure a flourishing future for humanity as an integral part of a life-sustaining Earth system. We are uniting a trans-disciplinary group of researchers, educators and partners to look beyond single ‘environmental’ issues to a truly systemic view of coupled global changes in the human social and economic sphere and the biosphere.

www.exeter.ac.uk/gsi

Venue

Main venue: Alumni Auditorium, The Forum, Streatham Campus, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4SZ. Building number 3 on the Streatham Campus map.

For Streatham maps and directions, please visit this page.

Video link: Exchange Lecture Theatre, The Exchange, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE.

For Penryn maps and directions, please visit this page.

Registration

To register for the event please click the 'register' link at the top of this page.

If you have any enquiries regarding the event, please email research-events@exeter.ac.uk

Please note filming, recording and photography may take place at this event.

So you’ve declared a Climate Emergency, now what? Registration, Thu 23 May 2019 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
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Climate Emergency > What could government be doing? > talk and discussion with Exeter Extinction Rebellion > Tuesday 21st May

A legitimate question raised by Exeter Extinction Rebellion:

Talking Climate Policies  Extinction Rebellion Event Climate Emergency - What could government be doing? Tuesday 21st May  7 - 9 pm Exeter Community Centre

Talk and discussion about policy options that could cut climate impact with the urgency and scale needed. When government and councils come up with proposals we need to know what would be good enough.  We’ll look at ‘kicks’ that start a process and ‘shifts’ that change the rules

 Climate Emergency - What could government be doing? 
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Extinction Rebellion in Exeter: comment, photos, videos from Saturday's action

It's demonstrably clear that we need to do something about climate change:
Futures Forum: Climate change > Extinction Rebellion "striking at the end of the world" 

As the campaign group says: 

We are facing an unprecedented global emergency. The government has failed to protect us. To survive, it’s going to take everything we’ve got.

OUR DEMANDS:

1. The Government must tell the truth about the climate and wider ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens.
2. The Government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels.
3. A national Citizen’s Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.

Extinction Rebellion | Rebel for Life 

The campaign was in Exeter yesterday:
Futures Forum: Extinction Rebellion in Exeter tomorrow: 11am Saturday 30th March 

And their Facebook pages have the photographs to show it:
Extinction Rebellion Exeter was live. - Extinction Rebellion Exeter

Also to be found on the VGS news pages:
Extinction Rebellion takes over Exeter city centre - Vision Group for Sidmouth

Here are a few recent comments:

James Brown Great event yesterday. Really well organised, great effort. 
It was especially lovely to meet my new affinity group ahead of the International Rebellion in London from 15th April.

Extinction Rebellion Exeter shared an event.

Yesterday at 14:29 · 

To everyone joining our page after seeing us in town today - welcome and please come along to our meeting on Friday evening from 6pm 

https://www.facebook.com/events/403833153498703/

And from the last few weeks:

Great organisation with great ethos and really committed to demonstrate non violent direct action

13 February

Because they want to force there views down peoples thoughts rather than let them make there own inf... See more

14 March

A bunch of self entitled children pitching a fit because they don't like the way the world works.

19 March

Extinction Rebellion Exeter - Home | Facebook
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Cutting Exeter's car emissions by getting motorists to drive differently, by using technology >>> launch of "Breathe Exeter" Thursday 25th April

Cars are one of the worse producers of CO2:
Transport becomes most polluting UK sector as greenhouse gas emissions drop overall | The Independent

And one way to reduce this is to at least make people aware - and quite drastically:
Futures Forum: Extinction Rebellion in Exeter tomorrow: 11am Saturday 30th March

There are ways to drive in a more 'eco-friendly' way, however:
11 ways to cut your driving emissions | RAC Drive

And there are also devices being introduced, to encourage 'smoother driving' - and so reduce emissions:
How it works | Lightfoot

It's being launched next month in Exeter:
Breathe Exeter Launch Tickets, Thu 25 Apr 2019 at 18:30 | Eventbrite

Here's part of a puff-piece on the Devon Live website - its claims rather at odds with the reality on the ground as demonstrated earlier today in Exeter. Still, maybe we can have our cake and eat it... 

Plans unveiled to make Exeter a global leader in cutting car emissions

Lightfoot is investing £500,000 in Breathe Exeter

Hannah Finch
28 MAR 2019

Ambitious plans to make Exeter a global leader in low vehicle emissions is set to be launched.

A new movement is being pioneered by connected car technology developer Lightfoot in a bid to slash vehicle emissions through the actions of drivers, rather than government policy.

The maker of the world’s first technology to reward better drivers is investing over £500,000 in Breathe Exeter, a radical new initiative, which aims to remove the equivalent of 1,000 cars’ worth of emissions from the city’s air by the end of the year, simply by changing the way motorists drive.

With one month to go until the initiative is officially launched, Lightfoot has detailed its plans to make Exeter a global leader in the reduction of vehicle emissions through Breathe Exeter.

It aims to build support from individuals, businesses and public sector bodies that wish to play their part in making Exeter a “cleaner, greener” city by the end of 2019.

To achieve its goal, Lightfoot, headquartered on the outskirts of Exeter, aims to install its in-car technology, often described as “the Fitbit for cars”, in at least 5,500 vehicles by the end of 2019. The device costs just £149.

The lightfoot device in action

Drivers installing Lightfoot can expect to save an average of £160 per year on their fuel bill, meaning the device more than pays for itself in fuel savings alone, if they reach Lightfoot’s ‘Elite Driver’ standard - requiring a Lightfoot score of 85% or above. At this point, fuel and emissions savings of up to 20% become possible.

Those reaching Elite Driver standard are also automatically entered into cash prize draws and can enter competitions to win the latest tech, exciting experiences, and luxury produce that reward their efforts to drive more efficiently. Lightfoot will soon be launching The Drivers’ Lottery, which will expand its prize offering significantly with many more rewards for better drivers.

Motorists maintaining Elite Driver status can also look forward to 20% off their car insurance, as well as hundreds of savings on the high street and via online retailers. Users have the potential to save and earn over £750 per year with the discounts and rewards attainable through Lightfoot.

Commenting on the countdown to Breathe Exeter, Mark Roberts, founder and CEO of Lightfoot, said: “Through Breathe, we aim to remove 550 tonnes of pollutants from our city’s air by the end of December. To do this, we need just 10% of the city’s cars and vans to install Lightfoot.

“Our aim is to work with the city’s many enlightened businesses and citizens to make this happen, creating a greener, safer, less polluted city for all – whether you drive or not.

“For those joining us on this journey, there is a huge opportunity to make a positive difference – to create a blueprint for other cities to follow, proving that a social movement for change can have a bigger, more immediate impact than slow-moving national policy. Together, we can dramatically cut CO2, NOx, and particulates through one simple action - smoother driving.”

Mark Roberts added: “Breathe Exeter marks the first step of what could be an international movement to instantly and permanently reduce pollution and emissions on the roads of our cities. This is an opportunity for drivers to take the lead; to make a difference through their own personal actions, and to benefit from rewards and savings in the process.

“We see this as the perfect social movement where everyone benefits – whether it’s a child in the playground or the tourist admiring Exeter Cathedral. This is community activism working for the good of everyone.

“In our eyes Breathe is a ‘now’ solution to the growing global issue of vehicle emissions. Achieve our goals in Exeter and we will set a precedent for others to follow around the globe.”

Lightfoot is available to purchase from Halfords at Rydon Lane, Exeter. Its high-tech analytics and configurable in-cab feedback enable users to maintain a driving style that keeps their engine in its ‘sweet spot’ – where it uses the least fuel, emits the least pollution, and is most efficient.

Lightfoot’s technology has been widely used in the fleet sector by household names including Virgin Media, Greencore, and South West Water. It has also been trialled by private motorists in Exeter over the past two years, enabling the company to refine its technology and rewards platform in readiness for Breathe Exeter. Lightfoot users typically see reductions in fuel costs by up to 20%, harmful emissions by 20%, at-fault accidents by up to 40%, and wear and tear costs by 45%.

Plans unveiled to make Exeter a global leader in cutting car emissions - Devon Live
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Extinction Rebellion in Exeter tomorrow: 11am Saturday 30th March

There is growing passion over climate change and a need to demonstrate how important this issue is above all others:
Futures Forum: Climate change > Extinction Rebellion "striking at the end of the world"

Tomorrow is Earth Hour:
Futures Forum: Earth Hour: 8.30pm: Saturday 30th March

It will also be Extinction Rebellions' latest foray into the streets of Exeter: 

'Day of rebellion' planned for city centre on Saturday

But Extinction Rebellion say it will be less disruptive than previous protests

Howard Lloyd
29 MAR 2019

Environmental activists will descend on Exeter this weekend in an attempt to raise awareness over climate change.

Saturday's four-hour 'day of rebellion' event starts on Howell Road at 11am before heading into the High Street.

The event has been organised by Extinction Rebellion, a 'non-violent civil disobedience group' who hit the headlines earlier this month after holding up traffic near Devon County Hall .

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Amber Wren stressed Saturday's event would not be as disruptive, and said it was an opportunity to learn more about the group's message.

"I know that roadblock caused people to be frustrated and that is understandable – that type of action is disruptive and that is the intention," she said.

"This one will not be so disruptive – it is a way of us being out on the street, inviting questions and talking about anything that people aren’t sure about. We are meeting people face to face and are open to discussions and concerns that people have. We want to have those discussions and conversations with people.

"We trust the scientist and the planet is unhealthy and it is only going to get worse unless the powers that be put something in place. This is not about targeting individuals, it is about government inaction."

The group's aim is to prompt major change from the UK Government when it comes to tackling climate change.

A post on the group's Facebook page says: "We must act now to raise awareness and call on the government to take urgent action. The health of our planet is in fast decline, we are facing a climate emergency. We need top down action from our government, to help us make the necessary changes. And we need it now!"

Amber continued: "This is a family-friendly protest march to get the message out.

Extinction Rebellion Campaigners outside County Hall (Image: Daniel Clark)

"The more people we can get to understand the message that the government is failing us and not doing what they should be doing for the health of the planet, the better.

"It is a horrible thing for people to accept and think about and we are all trying to live our daily lives. I completely understand it is not something we want to stop and think about but it really is bad. We need to all join together to shake the grip of toxic handshake that the government has got us into."

The group has not been without controversy. Four people were arrested for aggravated trespass and two for criminal damage at the end of the Yeovil Rebellion Day in January. When holding up traffic earlier this month, someone claiming to be a hospital worker said their actions were putting patients' lives in danger.

'Day of rebellion' planned for city centre on Saturday - Devon Live
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Will the 'Future Places' programme for Greater Exeter "enhance people’s lives, improve community wellbeing and create sustainable environments"?

Exeter is facing huge expansion:
Futures Forum: How to sell the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan and its 2,661 new homes a year > offer a 20,000-capacity sports stadium

It's all about housing:
Futures Forum: What's wrong with the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan > "Huge housing growth does not appear to correlate with very modest job growth."

We won't know exactly how much, though, until after the elections in May:
Futures Forum: How much housing and industrial development will happen in East Devon under the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan? >>> We will only know after the upcoming District Council elections in May

We do know that this will impact on East Devon:
Futures Forum: East Devon is taking a disproportionate share of development >>> “Because we have the land and we are good at it”
Futures Forum: A new East Devon local plan will have to implement the strategy set out in the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan by 2023

Especially on those places immediately adjacent to the city:
Futures Forum: Save Clyst St Mary > "Village Life -vs- Future Development"

This is because East Devon is now de facto part of something called 'Greater Exeter':
Futures Forum: The Greater Exeter Strategic Plan and 57,000 new houses

The VGS news pages have been keeping an eye on the wonderful things happening to the city itself:
Liveable Exeter “highlights the property crisis while trying to solve transport challenges”
A better connected, more ‘liveable’ Exeter
Exeter Vision 2020: ‘sustainable development’?

It seems the same wonderful things are going to happen to the conurbation: 

Future Place

The Future Place programme run by the Royal Institute of British Architects(RIBA), Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Local Government Association(LGA), Homes England and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) - is a joint, two-phase initiative which will unlock place-making potential at local level through quality in design, future thinking, and knowledge sharing. The programme has been designed to promote best practice and the potential of innovative delivery, design and funding models, cross-sector collaborations capacity building, and knowledge sharing at a local level.

Greater Exeter

By 2040 Greater Exeter wants to be recognised as a global leader in sustainable living and one of the most active, healthy and accessible cities in England

Future place | architecture.com
Future Place Greater Exeter | architecture.com 

It's made quite a story:
Five English regions get expert support for place making | News | Architects Journal
Exeter recognised for ambition and vision to create a great place for the future | The Exeter Daily
Five places win professional body recognition for quality plan-led placemaking | Planning Resource

Looking at the project, there are questions, however:

> Will 'knowledge sharing' actually involve speaking to the already-existing populations? 
Futures Forum: District Council to consider government's latest forecast for minimum number of new homes to be built in East Devon > "Planning for the future will ensure we are not subject to the whims of others."

> How will 'need' be measured?
Futures Forum: Future housing needs and requirements in East Devon

> Will mistakes over bad design for other large-scale projects be taken into account?
Futures Forum: An ever-expanding Cranbrook: "There are significant issues to resolve around how services and facilities are to be provided in the town in the future and how these are to be paid for."

> Will being 'recognised as a global leader in sustainable living' mean doing more than just contributing to the traffic gridlock?
Futures Forum: Exeter is now the slowest city in the UK
Futures Forum: Gridlocked Devon >>> 'Devon Live' to debate "some of the major travel problems facing the county." >>> and to investigate "the attitude of local authorities to sustainable travel and highlight some of Devon's pollution hotspots"

> Let alone properly contributing to quality of life?
Futures Forum: Air pollution, traffic congestion and development >>> Building a new shopping centre to the west of Exeter "would cause traffic chaos"

> Will independent thinking be taken on board - in order to 'enhance people’s lives, improve community wellbeing and create sustainable environments'?
Futures Forum: "What would a zero carbon city look like?" > Transition Exeter: talk and discussion: Friday 1st March

And as East Devon is 'part of' Greater Exeter, the District Council feels it can pat itself on the back, as this press release from today shows: 

'Future Places' recognition for East Devon

When this content has been created

14 March 2019

'Future Places' recognition for East Devon

East Devon, as part of Greater Exeter, has been recognised as one of only five 'Future Places' to support future development of the area.

The Greater Exeter area has been recognised as one of five places in England that has the vision and ambition to create great places for the future.

Greater Exeter was named as part of the Future Place programme.  This initiative is intended to unlock placemaking potential through quality in design, future thinking and knowledge sharing. 

The area will receive training and expert advice in helping to develop the Liveable Exeter Vision, which will see 12,000 new homes built within the city between 2020 and 2040, as well as supporting the wider programme of development across the Greater Exeter area.

The prestigious initiative is run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Local Government Association (LGA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The capacity building programme is based on three pillars: promotion, expert advice and training.  The initiative will support the Greater Exeter partnership – made up of Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council, supported by Devon County Council – in helping to develop the vision for the future development of the area. 

As a joined up area, Greater Exeter has a population of 480,000 people. By 2040 it wants to be recognised as a global leader in sustainable living and one of the most active, healthy and accessible cities in England. 

In its announcement, RIBA said: “All five Future Places are determined to deliver meaningful change which will enhance people’s lives, improve community wellbeing and create sustainable environments. While each place is very different, they all work in collaboration with public, private or voluntary sector partners to develop and advance innovative placemaking strategies.”

The five ‘Future Places’ selected are:

• Bradford
• Greater Exeter
• Great Yarmouth
• Gateshead
• North Northamptonshire

Cllr Ian Thomas, Leader of East Devon District Council said:

This is great news both for East Devon and for our partners in the Greater Exeter area.  The support available through the Future Places  programme will help us not only to develop our ambitious vision for the future but also ensure that this is delivered on the ground, helping to create the high quality places that all our residents can enjoy in the future.

Exeter City Council Leader Pete Edwards, said:

This is great news for Exeter and the Greater Exeter area and will help us raise the standard of design quality and deliver a transformational housing programme across the city. 

Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council, said:

This is fantastic news for Teignbridge and its partners within the Greater Exeter area. We have a strong track record of working together for the good of our area by providing the homes they need so communities remain sustainable in the future. 

Tristan Peat, Forward Planning Team Leader, Mid Devon District Council, said:

This announcement is fantastic news and will help the Exeter, Teignbridge, Mid Devon and East Devon councils work together to help achieve better outcomes for everyone across the Greater Exeter area.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:

This is good timing as we have just come to the end of our consultation on the Exeter Transport Strategy, which has ‘greater places for people’ as one of its three key themes. This means thinking about how walking, cycling and attractive urban public transport will support the vitality of the city and enable people to lead more healthy and fulfilling lives. I’m sure this programme will help us develop these ideas further in the context of growth for the city.

RIBA President Ben Derbyshire, said:

Local Authorities play a vital role in creating happy, healthy and sustainable communities, and I am pleased to support their initiative, investing in public engagement and collaborative planning to design the best possible environments. The commitment, despite financial and political barriers, is highly commendable, and I look forward to working with all five over the next phase of the programme, learning the lessons as they develop their vision to and celebrating their success.

The RIBA is allocating a RIBA Client Adviser (all of them RIBA Chartered Architects) to help each selected area develop their vision.

14 March 2019 - 'Future Places' recognition for East Devon - East Devon
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Climate change > Extinction Rebellion in Exeter

Last November, the direct action group was busy in London - but was not receiving that much support - even from other activists:
Futures Forum: Climate change > Extinction Rebellion and direct action

They were out in full force in Exeter earlier today - as reported on Radio Exe: 

Climate change activists end more than 5 hours of blockades

• News Home
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 7:05am

By Anna Byles

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Activists "swarming" on Western Way. Image @XRExeter, Twitter

They blocked roads in 3 locations across the morning.

Around 40 climate change activists have intermittently blocked main roads in Exeter today. 

They started on Western Way during rush hour causing gridlock, before moving onto Topsham Road. It's now emerged the group had to move from there because they were blocking people trying to get to the funeral of a teenager at the Crematorium. 
 
The Extinction Rebellion movement is protesting at what it says is government and local authority inaction on climate change.

"Swarming" involves blocking roads whilst handing out leaflets and giving information to drivers. They've been doing it at 7 minute intervals, but often that did not give time for traffic to recover. 

The first on Western Way (Image: @XRExeter, Twitter)

The second on Topsham Road (Image: @XRExeter, Twitter)

Exeter Extinction Rebellion activist Caspar Hughes said: “Transport is the UK’s Climate Emergency Front Line. We need our government and local authorities to radically overhaul the way they fund and build transport. Investment in a resilient, healthy transport system that will benefit our children, is what is required. Our current plans continue to fund the fossil fuels corporations who are well aware of the damage they are causing.”

A Devon County Council spokesman said: “The draft transport strategy focuses at encouraging more people  to travel sustainably and includes an ambitious target for walking and cycling In Exeter. It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens in various ways including by reducing the amount of traffic in Exeter City Centre,  and increasing the ways to travel sustainably. The strategy is focused changing people’s travelling habits and there is no mention of building new roads. The two road schemes considered by our cabinet today are replacement roads and not new roads. In both cases they will improve sustainable transport links. The Cullompton scheme will improve air quality in the town and enable elements  of pedestrianisation in the High Street, allowing for improved pedestrian and cycling facilities. The widening of the airport road will allow for the development of improved bus and cycle  facilities. The Teign Estuary cycle route, also being discussed by cabinet, is a major scheme. It’s bigger than the Cullompton and airport schemes combined. Once completed the cycle route will improve leisure cycling and walking around the Exe and Teign Estuarys and improve commuter routes between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot.”

Chief Inspector Russ Dawe from Devon and Cornwall Police who was at the scene said they were made aware of the planned protests yesterday and the neighborhood policing team had been in attendance all morning "to warn and inform both protesters and the community around what's right and what's wrong, what's lawful and what's not. And also to differentiate between those that are here to actively commit an offences and those that aren't."

Climate change activists end more than 5 hours of blockades - Radio Exe
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