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Sustainable Frome

Think globally act locally - sustainable living requires action in your own town and your own home. It's very important to act now!

Author: James Burgess

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There's something rather interesting developing where I live in Somerset - it's called "Sustainable Frome". Every month a group is meeting and the numbers are surprisingly fast-growing with about 180 participants after only 4 meetings.

It would be neat to be able to say exactly what is its purpose and membership, but its simply too early to define things. In fact right now, the major focus is to define a focus.

Generally, as its working title suggests, the people coming together are concerned about how to work in real tangible ways to bring about changes in how we respond to Climate Change in our own homes and our own town. We are talking seriously about a number of ideas and projects, for example acquiring 'transitional town' status, reducing to nil our carbon footprint, recycling,. information exchange, speed restriction in the town, eco-schools, community living, straw-bale houses, efficient light bulbs, being a kick-ass pressure group...and much more. In fact the size of the group makes it rather cumbersome, so there are quite a few special-interest mini-groups working somewhat independently under the Sustainable Frome umbrella (or federation). Peter Mac Fadyen is the natural leader of the whole thing as it came together according to his initiative, and I have to say that he's done extremely well to get it all up and running.

I do have some concerns about its structure however. I've spent too much time over the last 20 years in groups not to have noticed the real difficulties there are when a facilitator tries to pull a disparate bunch of mavericks into a cohesive group that can fulfill a specific intention.

A delicate balance has to be found between - on the one hand - openness and inclusivity, so every voice is heard, and - on the other - clear-minded assertive leadership regardless of popularity. Perhaps, for myself I err towards the latter rather too much to expect to be universally popular! My defense is this - if the house is on fire, I will risk offending sensitivities by shouting FIRE! loudly, and dragging sleepy heads to safety. I pray I'm not too alone in noticing that humanity's house is on fire.

About Author

James Burgess is the editor of the quarterly on-line holistic journal Cornucopia and also the originator of the 7 Words System - an Intuitive Communication Model with universal application in business and personal development. His background is in corporate management and personal growth work - including authentic communication and counselling. www.jamesburgess.com
http://www.7words.co.uk
http://www.cornucopia7.co.uk

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