Tips on getting started
With applications now open, I wanted to share some pointers on how to get started and organise your community:
1. Recruit a core team – while it will help to work with a whole community, you are also going to need a few key people to drive the project forward and encourage others.
2. Elect a spokesperson – people are going want to know about what you are doing, so choose someone who is an able speaker and understands the project well. They should be able to inspire your community and engage with other people.
3. Identify skills – try and find people with the kind of skills you think you’ll need. In particular, take advantage of the wide range of skills people in your community will have to manage the project. From bookkeepers to electricians, all will have a role to play.
4. Identify like-minded people or not-for-profit organisations or others who may have a vested interest in your entry – from local voluntary groups to schools and community centres - tell them about your ideas and try to enlist their support. Remember, their help could make your project an ever bigger success.
5. Agree your ideas and what you want to say about them as a group – one person will need to complete the form on behalf of your group / organisation, but the Big Green Challenge is all about team effort and everyone should be involved in the process. Start filling in the form as soon as possible, don’t wait until the deadline on 29 February. Apply here now!
Good luck – I look forward to seeing your entries!
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We've been reading...
- Springwise: Eco & Sustainability ideas
- Want to cut your carbon? Join our club | The Observer
- Energy Saving Day : E-Day : Leave It Off : 27-28 Feb 2008
- Carbon Connections
- Green, healthy and fair - Sustainable Development Commission
- Clean, efficient and in a town near you | Guardian Unlimited
- A town called eco | Guardian Unlimited
- Sustainable Development Commission: Case Studies
- Carbon fast - Tearfund
- Church advocates carbon fast for Lent | guardian.co.uk
Seeking to reduce CO2 emissions are you? Try supplementing the liquid petrol with pure H2 from an on-board reactor - converting H2O via electrolysis or other methods which don’t require quite so much electrical energy.
(hint - explore how fuel cells actually work)
Signed: Little Bird
is it possable to run a oil fire boiler with waste cooking oil if so how do i go about it
cheers chris
Hi Chris,
We’ve done a bit of digging into this question for you. The Renewable Energy Association (REA) says they still can’t find a manufacturer who has tested their products for biodiesel. In principle it burns like diesel does and switching from heating oil to diesel is often just a burner nozzle change. A good first step might be to consult your manufacturer.
REA is also looking into a new biofuel, which has very similar characteristics to heating oil (as opposed to diesel) and can be used in standard oil fired boilers. They aren’t able to recommend a reliable source for this fuel yet but it might be worth keeping an eye on their website .
The Low-Impact Living Initiative also ran an interesting project a couple of years ago which trialled the replacement of domestic heating oils with biofuels.
You might also want to speak to the Energy Savings Trust advice service on 0800 512012.
Hope this helps!
Our local older peoples centre is in need of a solar powered water pump. The garden ones are PATHETIC I need something agricultural. Do you know where I can find one. Thank you Chris
dick, im about to build a house in thailand (plenty of sun shine)i was woundering if you knew how i could build a sola water heater cheep.i allso have running water at the end of the garden any idears? thanks kurt
HI DICK, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE DETAILS ON YOUR SET UP WITH HEATING WATER THROUGH BLACK RADIATORS, FOR USE AS GREY WATER. WE HAVE A HOUSE IN FRANCE AND WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUN FOR THAT AND ANY WAY OF MAKING A SOLAR POWERED SYSTEM FOR RUNNING LIGHTS KETTLES ETC. THANKS, P.S. YOU CAN COME AND SHOW US IF YOU LIKE!! JO