CA-WN Exchange

CA-WN has a new Chair

Jane Wood, CA-WN’s Chair for its founding four years, has handed the reins to Harry Mellor. For a local student’s project both were questioned about being CA-WN’s Chair. Here’s what they said. Q1 What made you want to join CA–WN? HARRY MELLOR "

council Featured

Council Watch October 2025 - how are the new brooms doing?

Nearly half a year ago a new administration took charge at West Northamptonshire Council. In the days after the May election many people voiced concerns about the new Reform leadership - no local manifesto, lack of experience of local government, potentially reluctant councillors who stood as ‘paper candidates’. A more positive

individual impact

Student Voice on Climate & Politics

Jason Sparkhall writes as a final year student at the University of Northampton studying BA Politics and International Relations. He has an interest in encouraging youth voices in social, climate, and environmental affairs and one day hopes to stand to become a Member of Parliament. West Northamptonshire Council received a

net zero

Indicators of Global Climate Change

The latest available data is presented in the following infographic that shows key indicators of the state of the climate system and human influence. The bad news is that every indicator is moving in the wrong direction. But scroll through the doom and gloom and read the good news - the

meeting reports

Report of AGM and Public Meeting 16 October 2025

The notes below cover both the 2025 AGM and the October public meeting, which consisted of an open discussion about CA-WN’s current activities and future plans, with attendees invited to suggest new ideas. The meeting was recorded and is available to view on CA-WN’s YouTube channel.

nature

Climate Drama: 21 November

BIOSPHERE is a drama exploring the current storm of the climate crisis, capitalism, and technology. Inspired by the true story of experimental living trapped within an enclosed biome intended to provide the essentials for human life, this is a new play about our relationship to nature, technology and the planet

local matters

Happy Birthday CA-WN

As we celebrate CA-WN’s birthday these are highlights from our first four years. ROOTS: South Northamptonshire Action on Climate [SNAC] Before CA-WN there was SNAC, formed in 2019 when residents from across the area came together to talk about the climate emergency. Convinced of the urgency to

individual impact

Reducing the environmental impact of Children’s Parties

This article was written by Joely Martin, currently on Maternity Leave from West Northamptonshire Council where she works as a Sustainability Officer. As a parent, it’s an exciting new chapter when your child starts primary school. New skills, new friends and before long, parties almost every weekend. Now imagine

council

Youth speaking truth to power: Speech to WNC Scrutiny Committee, 19 August 2025

This speech was given to a 'Call-In Hearing' of the council's Place and Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee by Pippa Knowles, aged 17. The purpose of the meeting was to review a decision made by WNC's Cabinet to remove the council's

meeting reports

Public Meeting 18 September 2025

This meeting was intended to provide an opportunity for an open discussion of CA-WN’s purpose and future focus. With a number of apologies and relatively low attendance, it didn’t quite go to plan! However we did enjoy a wide-ranging and informative conversation. Our next meeting on

opinion

My View - Who scrutinises the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero?

This article was written by Mike Reader, MP for Northampton South, who will also be the guest speaker at our September 2025 meeting Scrutinising the department for energy security and net zero Delivering the Clean Energy Mission and reaching net zero is critical for the UK. At the heart of

food & farming

Becoming a Vegan

Mick Lorkins, CA-WN Steering Group member and founder of Northamptonshire Woodland Community Volunteers, shares his account of going vegan.  I thought I would document my journey on becoming vegan as it is not quite like switching on and off a lightbulb, it is more of an exploration. The starting

Bankers’ backlash

The backlash against climate action continues as UBS1 follows other banks in quitting the UN-sponsored Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)2.  The NZBA recognises that banks can play a major role in enabling the transition to a net-zero emissions economy by providing financing solutions. The banks in the

opinion

The 89 Percent Project

According to recent science as many as 89% of the world’s people want governments to take stronger action on climate, a fact not reflected in the media, which might explain why the 89% don’t know that they are the global majority. The 89 Percent Project, launched in April

council

Muck spreading season

The ground is being prepared for what is to come, on our fields and in our Council Chambers, and in all our lives. Here’s what was sprayed in a discussion on abandoning the Council’s Net Zero pledges: Extremists Communists Anti-capitalists Lunatics Brown rice and sandals brigade Those

nature

Pesticides and your pet

This article was originally produced as a leaflet by Leicester Friends of the Earth, who have kindly allowed CA-WN to reproduce it. Do you own a pet? Do you use tick, flea, lice and worm treatments? Are you worried about your pet getting poisoned? If so, please read on.

individual impact

Carbon Literacy Training September 2025

Following the great success of our previous Carbon Literacy training courses, we're looking forward to offering the next 4-week course starting 2nd September 2025. After completing the equivalent of one day's worth of training and committing to carbon-reducing actions, you will be deemed Carbon

council

Net Zero

Net Zero, like its friend ULEZ, has become a rallying cry, a flag up a political flagpole. But the noise of it flapping in the wind cannot drown out the fact that Net Zero and ULEZ are our true friends. And if Net Zero and ULEZ are ultimately good for

meeting reports

Report of public meeting 17 July 2025

July's guest speaker was Ruth Rolls, WNC Nature Recovery Strategy Officer. Ruth gave us an excellent overview of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for West Northamptonshire. The meeting was recorded and is available to watch on YouTube1, and Ruth's slides are available to download2. On Saturday

meeting reports

Report of public meeting 19 June

Our guest speaker this month was Bruce Durham, founder of Harborough Woodland (HW)1. This community group have made a tremendous impact since their beginnings 5 years ago – you can read more about their story here2. They are also running a free training event on Saturday 28 June – details on

nature

The Riches of Uncut Grass

Eluned Nicholls, Parish Councillor in Kingsthorpe, shares her experience of No Mow May We are now in the third year of No Mow May1 and Kingsthorpe Village’s verges and greens are showing signs of a remarkable recovery from years of being cut to within inches of life. Take a

housing

My experience of installing an Air Source Heat Pump

This article comes from Mick Lorkins, CA-WN Steering Group member and founder of Northamptonshire Woodland Community Volunteers. We think it provides exactly the sort of honest and comprehensive information householders need - if you have an experience of making 'green' home improvements that you would like to share,

meeting reports

Report of public meeting 15 May 2025

May’s speaker was Natasha Ginks. Natasha is a qualified Retrofit Co-ordinator with considerable practical experience as well as qualifications in the field of home retrofit. Natasha’s presentation was titled "Where to start with retrofit" - the slides are available to download1 and a recording of the

Carbon Literacy training Summer 2025

Following the great success of our previous Carbon Literacy training courses, we're looking forward to offering the next 4-week course starting in early June. After completing the equivalent of one day's worth of training and committing to carbon-reducing actions, you will be deemed Carbon

New in CA-WN Exchange for May

This month's CA-WN Exchange highlights the sustainability achievements of West Northamptonshire Council over the past four years1, includes insights from Steering Group member Mick Lorkins2, and features a post about grasses3 along with regular bookshelf,4 podcast5 and recipe6 suggestions. And it's Hedgehog Awareness week7.