Campaigner backs call for low-carbon economy

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Maidenhead Transition Town campaigner Vinnie McCann is heartened by a Government call for businesses to embrace the world’s transition to a low-carbon economy and welcomed the news that a business minister has called it a significant turning point for householders, commerce and industry.

John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) spelled out the importance at a business meeting at the Mansion House saying: "It will create perhaps the most significant new market for investment and manufacturing on the decades ahead. Climate change will take on new dynamism between Government, business and people to embrace the changes that new markets and new technology will open up. If we can do this together, Britain can be one of the great success stories of the 21st century."

Mr McCann, who manages Waltham Place Organic Farm at Maidenhead has been bringing local businesses, council leaders and consumers together to plan for climate change and a future when oil wells run dry under a scheme called the Transition Town movement. 

Encouraged by the latest news he said: "All western economies will be a focus of change, they will need to be adapted to the inevitable switch from fossil fuel based systems to more localized more resilient systems embracing new technological thinking, which adheres to sustainable ethos.
We are no doubt at a crossroads at which immense decisions need to be made.

John Hutton's address about the Global Carbon Market was upbeat.  As a major player the UK had already seen a doubling of wealth generation from £15 billion in 2006 to £30 billion in 2007 and growing.

Acknowledging that Government is slow to react to industry demands he said that it was doing everything it could to remove barriers that old businesses back.

♦Peak oil, the credit crisis, predicted food shortages, overpopulation, climate change. These are some of the scare stories hitting the headlines.  You can cut your way through the scaremongering and discover how building a resilient community at local level for Maidenhead could make a difference. The next Transition Town Community Summit hosted by Vinnie McCann will be at Maidenhead meeting is on  Thursday May 1 at St. Josephs Church Hall, Cookham Road, Maidenhead from 7pm to 10pm.  Speakers are:
Farmer Nick Weir will reveal the secrets of successful Community Supported Agriculture
Energy expert Ian Bacon will share his experiences of implementing transition energy projects in Oxfordshire and other towns.
To book contact kath@transitionmaidenhead.org