Winter 2024: Issue 3

So much has been happening - we have plenty of exciting news to share, plus suggested events, eco resources tips and invitations to engage with us. In this newsletter:

1. Eco Together in Birmingham - celebrating one year

2. More news from Bath and beyond - opportunities to get involved

3. Participant feedback - have your say!

4. New resource highlights

5. Ideas and opportunities to use your powers

6. How to take part in Eco Together

A big thank you to Stephanie for supporting multiple Eco Together groups in Birmingham

 "When I first retired, I decided addressing the climate crisis was the best use of my time. I found Eco Together via Transition Streets and was delighted! It ticks all the boxes – a brilliant conceptual empowerment framework, supportive and positive ethos, and top-quality information and materials.

Thank you to the 40 attendees at the event. We look forward to many more Eco Together celebrations in Bath, Birmingham and beyond!

Charity status

EcoTogether is growing and has spread beyond its roots in Bath. We have been grateful to the local charity Transition Bath for hosting us as we set up, and we intend to continue working with Transition Bath in the Bath area. However, given the growing geographic spread of EcoTogether we feel that it’s time to become an independent national charity. In the coming weeks and months we will be looking for Trustees in and outside Bath.

Expressions of interest should be sent to helen@ecotogether.info, with the subject "Trustee".

Church of England
The Dean of Bath Abbey has issued an open invitation to church leaders in Somerset to attend 5 sessions, from March to July, to explore Eco Together with a view to running it in local parishes.

If you are involved in a local parish please encourage your church leader to take part. 

U3A
The University of the Third Age in Bath is holding a meeting about Eco Together on Weds 13th March in Bath and hope to run a U3A Eco Together group. 
U3A members can attend the meeting by emailing: anne.v.french@hotmail.com
(The U3A National committee is looking at providing a link to Eco Together materials for easy access to all local groups.)

Bath & North East Somerset Council and Birmingham City Council

Both Councils are part-way through running the Eco Together programme with groups of employees. Eco Together works very well for employee or user groups within organisations to encourage environmental action and help meet climate commitments.

If you would like to discuss this for your own organisation, please let us know: hello@ecotogether.info .

“I really like the idea of the Powers. Increasing awareness of the range of possible ways of intervening has definitely helped me feel I can do something with a worthwhile impact over and above the small changes I can implement in my own lifestyle".

"While I have been 'thinking green' for some while, it has clarified quite a few points and make me think more actively".

"Good quality materials (content, structure and presentation) and sufficient information to pick up the programme and go!"

1 - Make My Money Matter is a website helping you to understand and redefine your relationship with your bank, pensions and investments to ensure you are supporting what matters to you (particularly avoiding accidentally funding oil & gas, arms, tobacco, etc.)

2 - Giki has several ideas for understanding carbon impact and making changes. Its focus is not just individual lifestyle action; it also has tools for engagement in your workplace - it could be a good conversation starter about setting and achieving sustainability goals within your work community.

3 - Per Epsen Stoknes can help you deal with the five main barriers to climate action that exist in our heads - or perhaps in other people's heads. Work out how to have that convincing conversation with yourself or others and be an inspiration to take action.

* Our list includes national resources (applicable across the UK) but local resources are limited to Bath (as this is where we started out). Currently, we are thinking of ways for groups to capture and share local knowledge in their own areas. If you have any ideas about this please email us at hello@ecotogether.info

Check out these national events. They are great opportunities to start conversations with others, make changes in your communities and to advocate for eco action:

The Big Plastic Count 11-17 March - count your plastic for a week. Contribute to the research with friends, family and colleagues and the results are used to influence government action.

Earth Day 2024 22 April - the focus this year is on influencing plastics with a 60% reduction in production by 2040. Is something happening near you for Earth Day? Could you get involved or start an event?

The Great Big Green Week 8-16 June - encouraging swapping with support materials online to help you set up your own event in your community, to get your school involved or get your organisation/employer involved.

Calling all young people in Bath aged 16-25...

There is a free Youth Climate Event from 15-17 March - it is being held at Studio 22 with sessions on the themes of democracy and voting, climate education, and creativity. It is being organised by Bath-based Young Green Creators, follow them on Instagram for more information: @youngreencreators

Not taken part in Eco Together yet and not sure how to start? Not to worry, you can find everything you need to know about this self-led group programme on our website. Go to the participants page to access the materials. 
 

Keen on the concept, but not confident about starting a group? Send us an email hello@ecotogether.info and let’s see how we can help you. 

Are you part of a larger community (work, life, social) and need help explaining the concept? If you are close to Bath, perhaps we could help you to get started by giving a talk or presentation. Drop us an email at hello@ecotogether.info .

Thank you for being a part of our growing Eco Together family. 

Best wishes

The Eco Together Team

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