In our October event, we will be screening the film “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva”, an inspiring story of an Indian activist taking on the might of modern corporate industrial agriculture, and GMO seed production. More information describing Vandana Shiva is available on the movie’s website here:
“Hers is the remarkable and unlikely story of a girl who trekked from highland cabin to cabin alongside her father, tended a garden alongside her mother, and passionately pursued an education that freed her from the caste and gender constraints of traditional Indian society”
“Vandana Shiva brought her scientific expertise and Gandhian principles of non-violent resistance to the struggles of poor Indian villagers whose livelihoods were being crushed by corporate capitalism. She has become a formidable opponent to those corporations whose drive for privatization and profit are destroying the environment and changing the climate.”
The film will be shown at St Mary’s Church Ealing from 7.30pm. The film is less than 90 mins and there will be time for a short discussion and refreshments after. The evening is likely to wind up around 9.30pm.
Ealing Transition and Ealing Mums for Lungs are thrilled to be taking part in the Breathe London Community Programme. We applied for the sensor at the end of 2022, and learned we were successful shortly after, making it a great way to finish the year! The sensor arrived in early spring, and after a little investigation of suitable sites, we were able to install in time to mark June’s Clean Air day.
The sensor is capable of detecting local NO2 and PM readings in real time and publishes these every 6 minutes to the Breathe London website, for access by all. See the links below. Many community groups are taking part across London, so it’s possible to log on and see not only our sensor, but also those of other community groups. See the Breathe London landing page and maphere.
Our sensor has its own web pageherewhere the results are available in real time. The website maintains a record of historical results, and it is possible to download the data. We were surprised to learn that sadly the borough of Ealing has one of the highest incidences of Asthma in London. However, we are excited about the Breathe London programme and the possibility of using the data to draw attention to the poor air affecting us all, and to encourage positive change.
We have created a facebook page for our sensor and you can access it here to see updates and news.
On 29 January 2023, we had a lively meeting discussing Community Energy. Two of our speakers provided video presentations, which are available on our YouTube page at the links below.
Syed Ahmed from Community Energy London, discussing the challenges and opportunities for energy generation in the capital – video here:
Andy Rolfefrom Ealing Transition and the Schools Energy Coop, discussing Ealing Transition’s solar school projects and what’s next – video here:
We also enjoyed presentations from Daniel Mepham from Ealing Council’s climate action team, and from Rupert Meadows discussing Power for People’s Local Electricity Bill. After the discussion, we explored answers to the following questions.
1) What can we do to make community energy a reality in Ealing?
Join in with community energy groups in London and locally: see Community Energy London for inspiration and information about what others are doing.
Support Power for People’s campaign “the Local Electricity Bill” aimed at introducing legislation to reduce the administrative burden on local energy generation groups.
Write to your MP asking them to support the Local Electricity Bill / thank them again for supporting the bill.
Be energy aware: plug draughts (borrow/source an IR cameras to find out where); think about insulation; make sure radiators and boilers are effective; make sure boilers are not over heating water that is too hot; think about solar panels on the roof.
2) What additional community energy projects would we like to see in Ealing?
The introduction of support schemes for flat owners to install, co-own and manage communal energy facilities (e.g. solar, heat pumps) on their building, in cooperation with lease and free holders.
Better use of communal and public facilities (e.g. car parks, shopping centre, leisure centre) to generate electricity via solar panels on the roof, or for installing use zero/low carbon heat sources like heat pumps.
Retrofit support schemes for residents and local businesses – providing information about reputable suppliers / installers in the area – and information for owners and renters.
Possibility of local schools selling their energy to local residents (especially in summer holidays when generation is at its peak).
Ealing Transition 