Emergency assembly August 2025

Attended by family in Cambridge (UK), Oxford (UK), Portsmouth (New England) and Delaware (US). Reports from St Albans, London and Washington DC

Visits to the web site have doubled in recent years (about 250 per month) without any publicity

It seems that significant reductions in emissions through changes in family behaviours are reaching their limits. The two vegetarians are still vegetarians, nobody else is heading that way or for veganism. Unless the use of air travel is strictly curtailed emissions will remain inconsistent with the family pledges made to reach zero by 2030. The assembly might serve to keep the emissions in mind but little evidence of causing any meaningful reductions.

The systemic emissions are probably more important and the US Government represents a global problem (eg loss of tax breaks for renewables) even if China is increasing efforts domestically and globally (as commercial advantages are exploited). As well as supporting the climate literate government, hope has to be maintained that the growth of both the global demand and supply of low carbon technology will be sufficient to stave off climate collapse. Reduced car usage (and maintained/increased use of bicycles) or power shift to EVs are shared commitments. Hybrids might be a useful step in that direction although EVs have been used without difficulty for long distance trans Europe driving.

Is the apparent or alleged conflation of environmental and humanitarian issues by campaigners or lobbyists a hindrance to progress on climate change?

Our youngest member demonstrated their model of an eco-house with green roof, insulation, and roof PV. The whole class had completed this exercise.

Work is an important aspect of our mission and Cambridge is recognized as a leading council in aspects of climate change and waste management.

A recent NHS patient contributed a powerful argument for the adoption of new technology (eg AI) to the reduction of carbon emissions and plastic waste in hospital practices. The NHS is just one example of systemic emissions (along with arms trading and wars) where reductions will be needed to meet budgets and targets.

Work in the One Planet Abingdon Climate Emergency Centre concentrates on resilience or “preparedness”. Locally not much can be done to prevent ‘s—t’ from hitting fan but building community could limit the damage. Work with the Moslems, Afro-Caribbeans, LGBQT+, refugees, young people and those with mental health issues is rewarding but emphasizes the relative absence of the predominant white middle classes of the middle England market town who will be critical to the peaceful transition.

December 2025 will mark the halfway stage in the families’ journey to zero and the commitment to nature recovery.