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 do more to protect neighbourhoods from the effects of global heating it was decided to engage people power in pursuit of carbon emissions reduction, increasing biodiversity and to press for sustainable developments.
SNAC’s reach extended beyond the local area when Covid forced regular monthly meetings to be held online. With wider public interest, and a new West Northamptonshire Council, SNAC’s focus shifted, a new name was needed –
CA-WN was born
July 2021 CA-WN field trip to learn about managing for wildlife:
A guided tour of Compton Verney to hear and see how their extensive area of grassland is managed for wildlife.
August 2021: Graphic designer Tom Low begins work on a new logo, writing “the very first thing that came to mind when I thought about a CA-WN logo was basically a tree trunk off-set to one side with the lettering in the middle”.
September 2021 Constitution formally adopted with these aims:
To promote understanding of the climate emergency, and to facilitate action in response to it in West Northamptonshire, by:
• bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in communities across West Northamptonshire and fostering understanding of issues relating to Climate Change,
• promoting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the protection of biodiversity,
• establishing positive working relationships with local clubs, associations, businesses and councils,
• using traditional and social media to share knowledge and experience,
• suggesting, and where possible providing, materials to enable the above,
• taking whatever other actions are deemed appropriate by the Committee.
February 2022 Claim Back Your Space: Working With Nature:
In pursuit of increasing biodiversity, work begins on these specially commissioned notes for any group interested in a small rewilding project.
March 2022 HOP22:
Rupert Knowles, Harlestone Parish Councillor and CA-WN Steering Group member, is the driving force behind a climate-themed event in Harlestone featuring a host of informative stands and well attended by local people.
April 2022 Launch of THE CA-WN EXCHANGE:
The first appearance as a PDF newsletter for circulating and printing.
June 2022 Claim Back Your Space: Working With Nature:
1,000 copies of booklet printed for distribution to members and at events.
Summer 2022 West Northamptonshire Sustainable Food Network:
CA-WN joins the Network whose aim "to create a sustainable food network across West Northamptonshire, one that ensures everyone, regardless of income, can access affordable and healthy food" aligns with CA-WN's core principles.
August 2022 Bank account opened with £8,580 deposit:
An unconditional donation towards the cost of running the CA-WN Building Resilience Project enables CA-WN to open a bank account.
September 2022 Grow Green Together Conference:
Around 60 representatives of unitary, town and parish councils attend a conference co-hosted by CA-WN and Northants ACRE. A series of events preceded the conference, including a tour of a local vertical farm and of the University of Northampton to see how it is supporting sustainability and nature.
Winter 2022/23 CA-WN Building Resilience Project begins:
The core objective of the CA-WN Building Resilience Project is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that come from burning gas, oil or solid fuels to keep us comfortable at home in winter.
After an initial five-home study of home energy efficiency CA-WN commissioned a detailed ten-home energy audit. The survey results revealed a wide variation in the amount of energy needed to maintain comfort levels in those homes, and very significant differences in the occupiers’ indoor temperature preferences. The overall conclusion was that there are many factors involved in assessing a home’s use of energy and the options for improving its energy efficiency. The Building Resilience Project continues …
January 2023 The CA-WN Exchange goes online:
The CA-WN Exchange transforms from a newsletter to an interactive forum for the exchange of regularly updated ideas, research and content on the climate and biodiversity. The home landing page featured images representing the four seasons designed for CA-WN by Quin, a Second Year Illustration student at the University of Northampton.
January 2023 Guest Speakers at CA-WN monthly public meetings:
For the first time a guest speaker features in CA-WN's regular monthly online public meetings. Dr Paul Slater talked about Sustainability within the NHS.
Since this first talk 24 different guest speakers have introduced topics ranging from flood management and tree planting to climate psychology, sustainable travel and the politics of climate change. Recordings of most monthly online public meetings are available on CA-WN's YouTube channel.
April 2023 The CA-WN Exhibition Stand for public events:
A large professional pop-up stand with wheeled container was a prudent eBay purchase. It supports a donated fire-proof fabric backdrop that can also be used outdoors with borrowed gazebos.
September 2023 attends the Shambala Festival at Kelmarsh Hall:
As a Friends of the Earth affiliated local climate group CA-WN shares their stand.
January 2024 More Trees Now:
One of the UK's first tree harvesting events is held in Northampton, organised by Mick Lorkins, CA-WN Steering Group member and founder of Northamptonshire Woodland Community Volunteers.
April 2024 Launch of the CA-WN Lending Library:
Brian Webster's most generous bequest of books is being supplemented by further book donations that provide CA-WN members with a rich source of reading about nature, climate and politics. (See the list of available books here).
Summer 2024 Carbon Literacy Training:
CA-WN Steering Group members Alexina Cassidy and Clare Slater introduce their Carbon Literacy Project accredited training in Carbon Literacy.
September 2024 Film screening:
CA-WN and local sustainable business consultancy ActNow Consulting Ltd get together to host a showing of Six Inches of Soil at the Arc Cinema in Daventry. This documentary feature film follows the inspiring stories of three new farmers through their first year. The showing was attended by around 50 people and included a Q&A with an expert panel.
October 2024 West Northamptonshire Climate & Nature Summit:
Delapre Abbey hosted the Summit with an organising committee including representatives of CA-WN, West Northamptonshire Council, Northampton Town Council and others. Following the success of the event attended by over 60 Town and Parish councillors, CA-WN helps to form the West Northamptonshire Climate and Nature Partnership (WNCAN) in early 2025.
2024-25 Face to face meetings at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery:
From time to time CA-WN has organised Saturday afternoon get-togethers in the Museum Café to provide an opportunity to spend time with people with a similar worldview. With civil and rational social behaviour being undermined by a dehumanising populist culture it is increasingly important to make connections and forge a community which believes in and demonstrates CA-WN's core values of inclusiveness and tolerance.
