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Thread
started on 16/3/2007 07:12
Well done Craggers. Rations get 2 more mentions on TV last night. Question Time – Claire Short was claiming that rationing can be the only fair way to deal with emissions control This Week – Both Michael Portillo and the pop star geyser (can’t remember name sorry) discussed rationing as the best chance of fairly helping people meet the 60% target Good news! It seems rationing is entering the public consciousness. And its getting good press. Keep up the good work craggers. »
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WJLA Segment on Craggers onlinewritten on 1/11/2007 13:32
Though I am not fond of seeing myself on TV I am excited to share this link with all of you- our segment on CRAGs in on WJLA (ABC Washington DC) aired last night. http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1007/468716.html I need to figure out how to get this electronically so we can post it. » login to post comments
WJLA Video linkwritten on 1/11/2007 13:35
OOPS. I posted the link to the story. Here is the link to the video. » login to post comments
Well done, Shannon!written on 1/11/2007 15:03
This is a great piece; well done. Hope it helps bring more people to your forthcoming event. Jessica R » login to post comments
Great Job Shannon!written on 1/11/2007 16:50
Hi Shannon, It was wonderful to share the Tv show with you last night and glad to have given you company: It was a big one for you! Your first appearance on TV, and you did great! Glad I was there to share with you afterwards on the phone. It was wonderfully documented and CRAG is fully on its way here, Now you have got me fired up about Ga! It was very encouraging to see it and I hope to get moving soon here in GA the same way.Good luck with your first CRAG meeting on Saturday,I am sure you will get a huge turn out. Thank you for always incouraging me and for all your support! Your CRAG friend Kirti from GA » login to post comments
possible article on CRAGgers and the Open University?written on 27/3/2008 12:06
Following on from the CRAGs sweeping the board at Oxfam’s Carbon Footprint comp last week and wanting to make best use of all the media momentum from that, it occurs to me that one good avenue for publicity would be the OU and CRAGs – I’m an AL [= part-time tutor] with the OU and I know David B from Sevenoaks CRAG is an OU student [currently studying a highly pertinent course on risk, policy and ethics, but having previously studied climatology related courses]. The OU is a very innovative and forward-thinking institution with excellent academic standards, innovative research and teaching [both content and delivery methods], a strong sense of community, and with members who are diverse, articulate and enthusiastic, with a phenomenal range of life-skills, perspectives and expertise. If there were demonstrable links to OU members already CRAGging, I’m sure there would be interest in CRAGs. The OU has a regular slot on ALs in the media in one of its internal newsletters – but I think a more interesting [and persuasive] article would be about OU students and staff who are involved in CRAGs, targeted for other OU students and staff. I’ve therefore suggested this as a line to Oxfam’s media officer – if anyone else is a student or member of staff with the OU, please can you let me know by the end of Sunday 30 March 2008 so that I can see if there’s enough of a CRAG/OU link to make a good story right now. Many thanks! Best wishes Anna » login to post comments
possible article on CRAGgers and the Open University?written on 27/3/2008 20:23
Hi Anna » login to post comments
This Week and Alex Jameswritten on 20/3/2007 00:03
It was Alex James from Blur, see more on RSA site. There are a lot of politicians and journalists that simply have not got their heads around carbon rationing. In that programme, Dianne Abbott and Michael Portillo made some harmless but uninformed remarks on carbon rationing and Andrew Neil remains very skeptical about anything to do with climate change. Alex James really needed to get in there and put the case forward more strongly but he seemed quite happy to let the mindless banter on the sofa continue. » login to post comments
Press packet, talking points, press releases, oh my!written on 29/6/2007 15:42
We are not sophisticated in terms of press and I think we need a press packet (something to have on hand at all times to give to any media outlet, solicited or unsolicited). It does not have to be complicated but it should be available in an electronic form to mail any media person who wants to write a story on the CRAGs- that way if they claim we are all sweater-wearing extremists that is their own call but not an impression we gave (I think it is hilarious but it does not suit our purposes, maybe only a few of us wear sweaters). We also need talking points for our members (to have ready access to at all times- for us, not to show to the media) so that if members are not good at riffing or if they might otherwise misrepresent the group by mistake that they will know what the party line is. This sounds a little evil but trust me talking points work. Since each group or member is the face of the organization to the press that contacts them, we need to be able to clarify what our positions are versus what may be a particular group or individual’s philosophy. An example of this is a position on nuclear energy. We don’t have one. We also need to think about press releases for a particular purpose like an event. In talking points: *Promote our message in the form of a brief script. (keep in mind at all times when speaking to the media what we want to promote so that when we have the opportunity we send our message clearly) In the press package: *Who whe are. *What we do. *Why we do what we do. *Who to contact for more info. *Promote our message in the form of a written paragraph or pithy quote *Give sample visuals of things like carbon rationing pie charts (excellent Islington- looked brilliant) images of meetings where people are having fun at a coffee shop, pub, or home, etc. that give an impression of the group. Think about how inclusive you want to be and try to work that into your images. *Any logos we have that are print or web-ready In the press releases: *A copy of the press packet *A copy of the release for the event or initiative what, where, when and why with who to contact and their contact info. Quotes from relevant parties are good. Sorry to be a little scary but the media is scarier- I do a minor amount of media work with my job and it’s amazing how easy it is for them to get things horribly wrong :) Others may have better ideas about press but I am bringing up these ideas to get people thinking. » login to post comments
I don't think it's the aimwritten on 1/7/2007 11:57
I don’t think it’s the aim of CRAGs to take up political positions. We are a bottom-up organisation (ie we’re not here to whip our members into line!). Since there is considerable disagreement about the overall merits of nuclear power (eg the new internationalist and the nuclear debate), it follows we cannot take a postion on nuclear. We could, however, possibly agree on the carbon footprint of nuclear electricity. You’re right we need clarity about the “core values” of CRAG groups. That will make getting our message across much easier: for example, about fair shares, footprints, the value of carbon etc. – instead of extreme sweater wearing! It will also help us to distinguish what is and what isn’t a CRAG. I think I’ll start a new thread on that. I put together a CRAG Dossier that was originally submitted for some Ethical Awards we were nominated for. It’s a bit out of date and may not have all the things the press are looking for – maybe you could take a look and give some feedback? I know it also needs to be easier to find on the site. » login to post comments
no position on nuclearwritten on 1/7/2007 14:36
I would be happy to look at anything you put together. But if there are any media professionals who want to take a look, that would be even better. I think we are on the same page with nuclear. I am not advocating that we take a position. What I meant is that if someone has a particular position it needs to be clear to the media that it is indeed their own, that the group does not take a stance. At work (local government), one of the things we do is coordinate a watershed alliance. We are non-advocacy. Our policy is that we are free to talk about these things but that the organization as a whole does not advocate. This has come in very handy many times, as our friends in the advocacy camp would love to have us espouse their campaign messages. Sometimes if they have no success with one of us, they will go to another. They get nowhere, because we have a policy. As a result we are limited in what power we can have but we also keep our focus action-oriented. And we do not lose members because of our positions. » login to post comments
I agree with Shannon.written on 2/3/2008 15:31
Yes I agree with Shannon. I hope to join the conference call today and I understand one of the issues discussed will be this. » login to post comments
Poor Carbon Rationing coverage in Timeswritten on 20/3/2007 10:23
Coverage of climate change in the Times seems to be generally improving but this anonymous leader is not a good example. The leader says "While some green groups hope that allocating individual quotas could help to show people how far they are living beyond planetary means". True but a minor reason. Surely the main benefit of a national carbon rationing scheme over carbon taxes is that the Government is able to manage emissions comparatively painlessly and at arms length without having to continually tweak and adjust changes in what is likely to be unpopular taxation. Exactly who are these green groups that the Times has talked to? The NGOs FOE, Greenpeace are likely to wait for Miliband to bring a PCA bill (yes I know that the Climate Bill apparently enables PCAs, ha ha) before Parliament before they decide to endorse PCAs. » login to post comments
Poor? Damning!written on 20/3/2007 10:40
Thought I may as well lift the relevant section from the Times site after I read it; it’s more damning than John implies. – “...Mr Brown is right not to indulge some of the wilder fancies of the green movement, particularly some of Mr Miliband’s more stratospheric ponderings about personal carbon allowances. While some green groups hope that allocating individual quotas could help to show people how far they are living beyond planetary means, this could never be workable in practice. Worse, it is absolutely Stalinist in philosophy. There is simply no place for such dictatorial coercion in our democracy.” It is clearly rubbish, of course – allowances are far less coercive and nanny-statish than having taxes and regulations for each and every outlet of carbon. But the association with wartime rationing, state communism and austerity remains. My concerns are piqued again about the word ‘rationing’. It may need changing if (when) PCAs start getting wider coverage in the media. Also I suspect the Times may have to eat its words in the end. Cameron’s recent policy announcement on personal allowances for flights – and tellingly, the input of the Quality of Life group to the RSA’s recent paper on trading technology – are hints that centre-right opinion may yet be won round to the idea. » login to post comments
This is the reason I dislikewritten on 21/3/2007 10:37
This is the reason I dislike being called a green. You get automatically associated with the less desirables or those that have “discovered” that “we should no longer run an economy where people are allowed to Do Better”. Its what scares the right so they enter denial mode. They see green as a left wing conspiracy as per the ridiculous Stalinist comment “Alarmist” is another term being levelled at greens quite successfully » login to post comments
I think we need to restart a thread on the carbon tax proposalswritten on 13/7/2007 00:21
Because very few people understand what they are. And fewer still choose to go and find out. I’m not saying one is better than the other exactly just that we should not eulogise so much without understanding the alternatives. My case in point is as sent to The Economist Letters some weeks back following their Doffing the Cap artcile: The current fiscal system indirectly encourages consumers to burn as much as they can lay their hands on and at great economic cost to boot. Now we seek carbon reduction policy to use to fight against this huge fiscal monster. Its easy to see who will win, the new policy will fail to reduce emissions, the monster will remain hugely inefficient and we will need to think again, with less time available. So why not fix the current fiscal system first, then bolt on fancy policy if its needed later (unlikely) I’m advocating the devil here… Because we could do without the media selecting the winner for us. » login to post comments
CRAGs on BBC London and on National Public Radio (US)written on 29/6/2007 10:58
The Hackney and Islington CRAG got coverage on BBC London TV news on June 21st. It is a good watch and everyone speaks very posh. It doesn’t stream, you have to download 2.4 MBytes of data. Jessica says there may be a problem with the link – suggest you cut n paste link into new browser window. (1st July 07 – Link now fixed). We don’t have copyright but are trying to get it. Oisin also points out that on June 28th, CRAGs also get a bite site mention on Morning Edition on NPR (the closest thing to BBC Radio 4’s Today in the US). Appparently we are all wearing sweaters. Well done Shannon or whoever got that mention. Update on 1-oct-07. BBC’s Christopher Gibson wants £500 for a license to use it plus £150 for a transfer (even though we already have the actual datafile). Hmm. » login to post comments
Exciting!!!written on 29/6/2007 15:03
How exciting that the CRAGs were on National Public Radio!!!!! I did not tell them about it and the plug was definitely more UK-focused so I imagine they may have picked it up from the BBC online like I did. (The Hereford article). However this reminds me that we may need to prepare for a deluge once word gets out. The media is hungry for this type of thing- either as a cause celebre or as a bastard child to poke at. “Extreme carbon rationing”. Get your sweater on. » login to post comments
I am always disappointed bywritten on 1/7/2007 11:46
I am always disappointed by portrayal of CRAGs and CRAGgers as extreme environmentalists. It’s more important to get across that we believe in sticking to our “fair shares” of our atmospheric resource. » login to post comments
Extreme = responsible, innovative, creative, pro-active...written on 13/8/2007 23:15
I have been called worse than that… ;) Don’t let it get to you. Our effort to assume responsibility for our personal lifestyle is a constant mirror to those who are either still denying climate change or try desperately not to (have to) take it seriously. When we discuss the ‘rationing’ of our carbon emissions, we threaten the very essence of our economic system that is entirely based upon unlimited growth, upon ‘more’, not ‘less’... That’s why the tone of the response gets so surprisingly agressive sometimes (using highly unappropriate words like coercion and stalinism…). Trying harder to get our beliefs across might not result in actually getting our beliefs across. I believe our results (and perseverance…!) will. So, what if we just swapped ‘extreme’ for a more suitable term to describe CRAGgers. How about… responsible… innovative… creative… pro-active…? :) » login to post comments
Disappointingwritten on 1/10/2007 21:28
That’s very disappointing. Public service broadcasting should be available under an open license: the US has it much better in that regard. » login to post comments
Article on personal carbon tradingwritten on 11/7/2007 16:48
Mostly UK-focused. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/07/carbon_limited_personal_carbon_t… » login to post comments
Treehugger thread on CRAGswritten on 31/7/2007 21:24
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BBC R4 - Analysis 8.30PM 19th Julywritten on 19/7/2007 19:50
The programme analyses how individuals can be persuaded or empowered to reduce emissions and what the barriers are. War time rationing and personal carbon allowances are touched on. Ruth Lee provides vox pops like this gem, ‘I think all these allowances are frankly quite absurd, but the problem with quotas, of course, it is extremely hard to impose on people. Quotas are actually an administrative nightmare, what are you going to with 60 million people, are you going to follow them as they walk down the street, I think the whole thing is frankly absurd, and I really don’t think it will take off. Moreover I do think there is the freedom issue as well. If you are going to price something then people can make their own decisions. But of actually start talking about quotas that is pretty draconian that’s like rationing in the war.’ Listen again for the next week only. » login to post comments
UK Ponders Personal Carbon Allowanceswritten on 20/7/2007 17:12
See the Article in the Register. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/19/carbon_allowances/ “Environment secretary David Miliband said the scheme would cover people’s use of electricity, gas, petrol and air travel. He argued that a trading scheme would be fairer than tax increases, because only those who exceeded their allowances would have to pay. The idea is that everyone would be set a carbon ration. Those who chose to reduce their emissions could then sell the excess to other people.” Sounds like the CRAGs. But no mention of CRAGs. [OOPS I did not realize this was one year old] » login to post comments
Eco-junkwritten on 26/7/2007 11:42
Monbiot plays shiny green consumerism against the “drab and boringly equitable” carbon rationing and contraction & convergence: http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2007/07/24/eco-junk/ “No rock star could live comfortably within his carbon ration.” Bring on rations and ditch the glitz any day. On the other hand, George well knows it’s possible to run a couple of allotments in your spare time – actually, he described how. So don’t go overboard on the green bashing! » login to post comments
Chesapeake Climate Action Networkwritten on 27/7/2007 20:12
I signed up as a blogger for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, an organization in the Eastern US that addresses climate change issues. I put a plug in for the CRAGs- see the blog post at http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/blog/?p=85. It’s a little dry but that’s me. » login to post comments
Carbon rationing: a modern morality talewritten on 1/8/2007 13:22
I came across this article in the New Statesman today: http://www.newstatesman.com/200703260026 (Carbon rationing: a modern morality tale, 3/2007) Great graphic, but I haven’t read it yet! » login to post comments
Contraction and Convergence petition to 10 Downing Stwritten on 1/8/2007 16:11
Thanks David for the link to that New Statesman article. At the bottom there’s a link to a petition to 10 Downing St for contraction and convergence, closing date 15 October 2007. See: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Carbon-Rationing/ It would be fantastic if all UK resident or citizen CRAGGers could sign up if they haven’t already… and get sympathetic friends etc to do likewise! Best wishes Anna » login to post comments
CRAGs in Guardianwritten on 8/8/2007 18:13
Article This time it’s personal in the Guardian. Martyn Williams at FOE is still taking the same short sighted perspective despite lobbying from me. » login to post comments
money or carbonwritten on 8/8/2007 19:26
This article, (the guardian one, this time its personal) has the oft stated claim that carbon as a currency would be very complicated. But money is very complicated, and its regulation requires a monumental industry, yet money has no virtuous relationship to real wealth and in fact is the driver behind a lot of the overuse of non-renewable resources. Money seems to be only promises and debt anyway. But I’m not an economist. » login to post comments
Start to make a list?written on 9/8/2007 09:45
Thanks John for flagging this :) And thanks to those who contributed Also starting to think it would be great to collect together all the URLs from this thread and do an updated webpage of CRAG/ carbon rationing appearances in the media – so visitors to the site can see them all easily » login to post comments
Good idea. With the nextwritten on 9/8/2007 18:14
Good idea. With the next website version, this page will be linked directly to the Media wikipage (all tags will have an associated wikipage for summarising information under that tag). So I suggest you start a list there (you can do that just by clicking on the red Media link). There is also a wiki quick reference card at CRAGs markup quick reference, which may be helpful. » login to post comments
Media list pagewritten on 6/5/2008 17:56
I have now started a list at CRAGs in the Media, following a similar format to the Media section in the newsletter. » login to post comments
Should California Implement Personal Carbon Allowances?written on 13/8/2007 20:25
http://www.policymatters.net/issue/mazzacurati_carbon.pdf » login to post comments
Cf. Bernard Lietaerwritten on 14/8/2007 13:22
Interesting – I wonder if Bernard Lietaer (the economist who helped design the Euro) is getting involved; he’s been dreaming up some form of PCA system in California. I got a lead on this for the article I wrote for the Guardian last week (see the above link). Any more info from US Craggers on this? Perhaps a Crag in California might be in the offing! » login to post comments
PCAs in Caliwritten on 14/8/2007 14:08
I think I will try to contact this student through our alumni network- I got my masters from the University of California and her program in Berkeley is affiliated with mine in Santa Barbara. It will be interesting to see just who is considering this. California is the most progressive state for carbon reductions, and I would not be surprised to see them act on this first. » login to post comments
Emilie Mazzacurati on PCAs in Californiawritten on 19/10/2007 18:32
I have spoken to Emilie Mazzacurati about her research on PCAs in California and the general consensus is that Cali is not ready. She is working in DC now. I can share more details with anyone interested. » login to post comments
Climate camp coveragewritten on 13/8/2007 21:51
CRAGs get a small nod in the Guardian’s climate camp coverage, in the FAQ at the bottom: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2146563,00.html As well as a link to this site, which is all good. » login to post comments
Good luck!written on 13/8/2007 22:09
Good luck to all ‘Heathrow climate protestors’! The media coverage isn’t too bad so far, although the emphasis usually tends to be on the possible disorder, rather than on the actual (and far more alarming!) subject of climate change. Pity. » login to post comments
See also article on PCAs in The Independentwritten on 11/10/2007 21:01
Today’s copy of The Independent [11 October 2007] has a broadly favourable article on PCAs, see: http://environment.independent.co.uk/green_living/article3050158.ece » login to post comments
Can someone write a short letter to the Independent on CRAGs?written on 12/10/2007 08:42
Thanks for this, Anna; I hadn’t seen it. Very interesting that the article talks about a ration. But I think it’s a shame that this article mentions everyone except CRAGs, when CRAGs seem to be an obvious reference point. I can only put it down to ignorance on the part of the Independent, so perhaps someone with a bit of time today can dash of a letter to the Indy saying this is what CRAGs are doing and here’s our website? (Sorry, not able to do it myself at the mo.) We should be following up all media opportunities. Thanks! Jessica » login to post comments
letter to the Indipendentwritten on 12/10/2007 09:51
I have just written one. If it gets published (and my letters mostly do… in the local rag anyway…) I hope you all like it and it generates some more members and new CRAGs. I tried to forward the letter to the info@carbonrationing email address but it hasn’t popped up yet. I still don’t fully understand websites! » login to post comments
John's letterwritten on 12/10/2007 12:24
Dear Independent Letters Editor I was very interested to see that there are already trials of personal carbon allowance trading, such as ‘Manchester Is My Planet’ (Independent, 11th October) and was glad to see that my feelings about such a scheme have been endorsed by some of those involved. As someone with a very low footprint (our household of two adults and two children has a fossil carbon footprint for heating, power and travel of 1.6 tonnes/year) I would be the proud owner of credits which I could sell to one of my neighbours, both of whom have regular car journeys and ‘ordinary’ lifestyles. Except I wouldn’t want to. Why would I, who puts as much effort into being low-carbon, sustainable and ethical as possible, want someone else to emit what I had saved from being emitted? I would sit on my credits and if this helped the price of a credit go up, that would be desirable. However, I am already involved in trying to help others live a lower carbon lifestyle, as I’m a member of York Carbon Rationing Action Group (CRAG) which has, so far, about a dozen members. We are all measuring our carbon footprint using a simple calculator and aiming for an annual personal emission limit of 4.5 tonnes. We hold socials with lively discussions, and public meetings about how to reduce ones carbon emissions and preparing for the inevitable personal carbon trading. Some CRAGs have a system of fines which higher emitters pay when they exceed the annual limit, this money may be pooled and put towards helping those high emitters who would like to reduce their footprint, by, for instance, fitting efficient lightbulbs or insulating their loft. There are CRAGs all over the country, and the idea is beginning to take off in other countries… there are even two in the USA!. Joining a CRAG helps as you get support and information, and meet others who care about their impact and are actively trying to do something about the problem. Visit www.carbonrationing.org.uk for your nearest CRAG and info about how to start one. Yours, John Cossham, York CRAG » login to post comments
International Herald and Tribune article on CRAGswritten on 17/10/2007 09:49
In the paper today (17th October). Link here http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/16/business/crags.php » login to post comments
so excited about International Herald Tribune Articlewritten on 17/10/2007 18:33
I am thrilled about the coverage though it ends with they typical slant. Thanks to whoever mentioned the US CRAGs. I contacted our local paper to see if they will do a piggyback piece. » login to post comments
climate camp response to NYT/IHT articlewritten on 11/11/2007 19:49
Please note the following email received from the climate camp finance: finance[at]climatecamp.org.uk wrote: I am concerned that an article in the New York Times about Carbon Rationing We are not a flight offset project, and in no way support carbon trading. Thanx » login to post comments
UK, Maryland, and Georgia CRAGs on CNNwritten on 19/10/2007 15:27
Four hours ago, CNN mentioned the CRAG effort on Trendwatch- see http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/10/19/ww.trends.craggers/index.html…. CCN is a national news outlet in the US and is HUGE. I just got an email from WJLA- ABC 7 in Washington DC- they want to do a story. This is very exciting and I am also very intimidated. » login to post comments
CRAGs in NY Timeswritten on 21/10/2007 18:51
I think the article is a shorter version of James Kanter’s original article in the International Herald Tribune. Great picture of Jax’s pee and poo loo, very familiar to those of us at climate camp. » login to post comments
NY times does not mention US CRAGs- followup?written on 22/10/2007 13:55
First off, thanks to whoever coordinated the International Herald Tribune Article (Andy?)because that has been great for us! I am wondering if the NY times cut off the rest of the syndicated article because they are planning to do a domestic story (wishful thinking). Shannon » login to post comments
TV interview tomorrow WJLA Washington Channel 7written on 22/10/2007 14:42
WJLA is coming tomorrow to do a story about CRAGs. My friend Elin is letting me use her house because mine is under construction and the fake wood paneling is nasty! I will give updates as soon as I have them. Tomorrow we are going to do the standard CRAG interview where someone points out all of the energy saving opportunities in the home. They want to do a series of stories leading up to our public event on November 3, which is also Step It Up II, a national day of climate action. I am expecting to have to turn people away at this event based on the response from the media- if we have to do this then I will take sign ups and do more events- and demonstrate that people are anxious to do something about global warming. Hooray! » login to post comments
More news on CRAGs fallout from IHT articlewritten on 23/10/2007 17:58
See: Reprint from New York Times article by James Kanter: Glenn Beck Program: http://www.glennbeck.com/news/10222007b.shtml These articles all portray Craggers as crazy extremists. » login to post comments
extremists good, crazy badwritten on 24/10/2007 09:14
Shannon, I think you are right. James Kanter wanted photos of physical changes to homes etc. The problem is that insulation around the front door is not that exciting. So I suggested Jax and her boat because she is the only person in our group who has adopted a really low carbon lifestyle so far (apart from her van!) and it is visually interesting. However most CRAG members don’t live on boats. CRAGs that engage with the press need to be ready to demonstrate physical as well as lifestyle changes and perhaps we weren’t properly prepared. Being seen as extremists is good but I am not keen on the crazy bit. There are far too many politicians in the UK (and i am sure in the US) that are still talking about ‘doing the their bit for the environment’ and ‘if you just change three of your lightbulbs you’ll save the planet’ nonsense; they have no idea of the scale of the problem or the solution. » login to post comments
extreme but not crazywritten on 24/10/2007 13:12
Well obviously none of our members are crazy for wanting to reduce carbon as much as they can. Like you say, the media likes to find the most extreme among us so that they can marginalize the movement. I am doing a TV interview this week and I chose not to use my house, even though it has all of the features (programmable thermostat, clothesline, exposed insulation) because it’s in disrepair. We are filming my friend Elin’s house- Elin has none of these things- and talking about ways for her to reduce CO2. We are hoping it will speak to a more mainstream audience. See this and you will understand why: Glenn Beck Program: http://www.glennbeck.com/news/10222007b.shtml » login to post comments
Blog by a new Oxford 'Climate Action Group', 4 October 07written on 26/10/2007 10:01
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/2007/10/climate_action_group.h… Not exactly like a CRAG, but sounds like they are talking round some of the same issues that we are, so might be interesting to follow this blog. Is this group connected with COIN/ Oxford CRAG at all? » login to post comments
National Geographic interested in personal carbon reductionswritten on 31/10/2007 20:29
Hey folks. A senior editor at National Geographic contacted me yesterday. He is writing a story about personal carbon reductions and is interested in interviewing people who come out to our CRAG event Saturday in Frederick Maryland USA (Step It Up II, National Day of Climate Action). Apparently he and his neighbors went low carbon over the summer and tried to reduce 80% of their emissions- they managed to reduce 61%, which is great! Here is the link to our event:http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/2584. It loks like we will have great media coverage and attendance. One of our County Commissioners is also going to make some brief remarks. THE TIDE IS TURNING » login to post comments
CRAGs in Frederick News-Postwritten on 2/11/2007 14:16
Today our local paper covered our CRAG efforts and promoted our upcoming event Saturday. Very exciting! The story is called, “Residents urged to reduce CO2 emissions”. The link is http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=67111. The Frederick area has about 200,000 people in it. We are about 45 minutes from Washington DC and from Baltimore, Maryland. » login to post comments
Any French speakers?written on 7/11/2007 15:15
A French language radio station in Switzerland wants to do an interview. Jessica is happy to do it in English. But they like the idea of doing it in French, is there anyone from an active CRAG that could do that? Please email or call. » login to post comments
Why bother going green?written on 25/11/2007 15:18
Fred Pearce investigates whether it’s wothwhile reducing one’s carbon footprint in the New Scientist’s lead article this week: http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19626301.600-why-bot… It includes decent summaries of all the main areas, including food, and there’s a short discussion of per-capita allowances at the end, too. His conclusion: together, we can move mountains, of course! » login to post comments
Article in Frederick News-Postwritten on 1/12/2007 22:42
CRAGs in the Frederick News-Post today: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=68324 Correction: 1 gallon of gas emists 19.56 lbs CO2 Also, I am much more hard-lined about making measurable commitments and the article kind of puts me in the green lifestyles bin. Yes I do want you to stop driving. And I want you to change more than a few light bulbs. But whatever- it’s good press. Hey today is the beginning of our Carbon Year for Maryland!!!!! Happy CRAG Day! » login to post comments
Maryland CRAG in the news!written on 2/12/2007 00:04
Hi Shannon, well done, I read the article and left a comment in their website. » login to post comments
I agree with Johnwritten on 2/12/2007 21:12
John, I think the writer was hearing only a part of what I was saying. I don’t advocate changing just a few light bulbs. But I do think we can’t rely on guilt to spread the message, and I do think that we can rely on rising energy costs to draw people in if the global warming message is not enough to make them act. I was more than a little embarrassed by how limiting the message came off but I can’t control that. » login to post comments
Classic example of society's reaction to climate changewritten on 2/12/2007 23:12
I think that the article Shannon was featured in is a classic example of how society reacts to climate change. It goes something like this: - Problem identified (global warming) – Cause identified (carbon intensive lifestyles in the West) – Melodramatic solution proposed (everyone has to neutralise all the carbon they’re producing) In reality, we need to limit our carbon to a sustainable amount. The notion of offsetting and conservative media (especially in America) that paints a picture of a society that is dysfunctional without carbon compounds the notion that it’s all or nothing (quite like the Cold War incidentally). What the article demonstrates is that there is an appetite for a rational response which articulates what life might be like living within a sustainable footprint, rather than the hopeless “repent, repent!” which is offsetting and the notion of ‘neutrality’ encourage. Whilst I think it is pretty ridiculous to continue flying when part of a realistic CRAG (just check your carbon footprint), I do think that it’s important to educate people that there’s more than ‘carbon intensive vs carbon neutral’, and that we don’t just have to give up at the scale of the challenge. » login to post comments
CRAGs article in International Herald Tribune 16 October 2007written on 2/12/2007 16:54
James Kanter, the environment/ business correspondent for the International Herald Tribune, came to iCRAG’s monthly meeting on 1 October 2007 and interviewed members of the group. His article was published on 16 October. It’s our first lengthy press outside the UK! And features a great photo! http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/16/business/crags.php?page=1 Jessica R » login to post comments
Mayer Hillman Youtube clip 20 July 2006written on 2/12/2007 20:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7HF-ANJLXk BBC Breakfast: Carbon Ration Card proposal, 20/07/2006 Found this great clip from 2006 – seems so long ago, and received an amazingly vitriolic response! Jessica R » login to post comments
CRAGs on Japanese news! 6 February 2008written on 7/2/2008 18:27
Last night members of Islington, Peckham and Sevenoaks CRAGs appeared in a programme about carbon footprinting on primetime Japanese TV, which was looking at personal actions on reducing emissions in the UK and seeing what lessons people like Craggers could offer to Japan. The programme is called ‘Close Up Today’ and is a current affairs programme which goes out on weeknights in Japan on NHK – apparently it’s the equivalent of BBC Newsnight, with an average audience rating of 12%. So, our first Asian news coverage of CRAGs! Apparently it was well received, with lots of interested comment afterwards. Maybe someone will be inspired to start CRAGs in Japan… We haven’t seen a copy of the film yet (anyone watching in Japan, please let us know if you saw it!), but hope to soon. Thanks to everyone who took part in filming and interviews. Jessica R » login to post comments
Possible web linkwritten on 8/2/2008 14:44
My brother reads some Japanese and found this page of pieces from Europe: http://www.nhk.or.jp/gendai/kiroku2008/0802fs.html I think it may be the third one down because of the picture: they were very interested in carbon labelling esp. an un-named brand of crisps, to whom I felt we gave far too much free advertising. Can any fluent Japanese readers confirm? » login to post comments
Permaculture Magazine and unknown CRAGswritten on 13/2/2008 13:23
Patrick Whitefield writing in the current edition of Permaculture Magazine gives CRAGs a supportive mention and even says he and some friends started a group in their town. I wonder if there are many other unknown offline groups around. Would be good to put their contact details on the site. » login to post comments
I know that the Bristolwritten on 13/2/2008 19:04
I know that the Bristol Friends of the Earth have sort of started a crag, but thats not registered either. I’ll see if I can find a contact name to email » login to post comments
CRAGs in The Observer newspaper Sun 24th Feb 08written on 23/2/2008 15:19
Hi, for those wanting to ‘read all about it’ get The Observer tomorrow (Sun 24th Feb) as there is an article with a photo of York CRAGgers, article on several diff UK CRAGs. » login to post comments
here's the link to the on-line version...written on 24/2/2008 19:39
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/24/carbonemissions.climat… Majors on the “guilty greens” angle. Fails to mention notion of fair shares that underpins the CRAGs approach. Fails to mention year on year reductions towards globally sustainable emissions level. 4/10. » login to post comments
CRAG in The Observer, 24 Feb 2008written on 25/2/2008 18:21
Yes, I found this article disappointingly facile, especially as it was in the news section. (I’m amused/ bemused by the Richard and Judy link: where did that come from?) This was the kind of superficial write-up we were getting 18 months ago. Reminded me why I no longer buy a Sunday paper – ‘lifestyle’ over exploring the (more interesting) real story, and the usual token damning with faint praise quote at the end. CP Scott may be turning in his grave. But there are some good points in it if you look carefully, and not much obviously erroneous. Just irritating that it skipped over our main principles and went straight for the easy middle-class-guilt-expiation schtick. The Observer really shouldn’t tar everyone with its own brush… Anyway, good to be on a facing page with a photo… and the best thing is that it has strengthened my resolve that we need to get organised about our media handling strategy and get a good press package together to ensure we make our key messages simple and that we get them across each time we speak to the press. I think we need to target some more specialist enviromentalist and economist media if we want to get more informative and engaged press. Jessica R » login to post comments
media coverage following 'Observer' articlewritten on 25/2/2008 21:43
I agree with some of what Jessica says about the journalistic style and the ‘ordinary person-friendly’ comments. I’ve had enough experience of newspapers and TV and radio to accept that they massage the information into easy to swallow chunks and often get stuff wrong. However the article wasn’t a bad thing. I have had contact from a chap in Sheffield who told my parents he’d like to join a CRAG. When I get his email address, I’ll pass him various bits of info so he can join us, or possibly start his own CRAG with his own existing network of friends. I’ve had a phone call from a radio station in Ireland who had never heard of CRAGs and are going to interview me on Thursday. And I’ve been contacted by a Channel 4 production company who want to do a programme on ‘very green people’ and are going to talk to me about their ideas later this week. So an article like that can cause a lot of ‘good’ despite its slightly banal approach… I’ll let people know when the programme is on (Irish Radio is Thurs 11-12 I think) and what the name of the station is. » login to post comments
CRAG on Irish Radio, Friday 29thwritten on 26/2/2008 21:14
Hi, I have received another phone call from ‘Newstalk Radio’ based in Dublin, and broadcasting nationally over Ireland. They want to interview me about CRAGs and my lifestyle, live, on Friday 29th Feb, at about 11.30am. You may listen to this live by going to their website and clicking on ‘listen now’, but there is no ‘listen again’ or podcast of the show. So if you want to hear how I represent our movement, you’ll have to click on to If someone can record this and then make it available to others, on this website, they have better technological accumen and equipment than me…. I promise to do my best, and will try to mention this website…. and if you have any advice for me (!) please do let me know…. » login to post comments
Well done!written on 29/2/2008 12:05
I just listened to the broadcast, and thought you did really well! It came across with a positive tone, and you successfully skirted a few pitfalls. Unfortunately, though, the presenter got the domain name wrong at the end! I did manage to record it, and have uploaded it to the files section under Ireland's Newstalk broadcast on CRAGs – 29th Feb 2008. » login to post comments
Cap and share vs. PCTwritten on 4/3/2008 10:56
http://www.marklynas.org/2008/2/2/if-the-cap-fits-share-it Mark Lynas points out some distinct advantages to Cap and Share – and the Irish government is on the brink of actually doing it. » login to post comments
Britons form clubs to cut carbon, pay for overusewritten on 12/3/2008 14:43
Crags in Yahoo news. Both written by Mark Rice-Oxley. » login to post comments
Monbiot quotewritten on 12/3/2008 15:03
It’s interesting to hear what Monbiot has to say: CRAGs “make it much harder for governments to say people would never accept carbon rationing” ... “If people are doing it voluntarily, then it really puts the government on the defensive”. » login to post comments
New ecological phenomenon in Britainwritten on 19/3/2008 07:53
Catherine Illic from Radio Suisse Romande, a Swiss public broadcaster came to an Islington CRAG meeting last year and did a follow up interview a few weeks ago. Here is the page containing the 3 minute MP3 file. The sound bites at the start at the meeting are from Jessica and Tom Hitchman. » login to post comments
Filming with CBS Evening News todaywritten on 22/3/2008 12:54
Hey everyone! The Maryland CRAG is having its quarterly meeting today and CBS evening news is coming to film. They also plan to come back later this week or next to interview our Craggers for an upcoming episode. For those of you in the UK, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is “network,” which means that it is shown nationally at prime time. This is very exciting for us and came as a result of Mark Rice-Oxley’s article in the Christian Science Montitor. Thanks so much to everyone for sending media our way- I hope we do you proud. We are going to emphasize how saving CO2 means saving money, and how this should appeal to anyone. They want to film us today as we count up our emissions so far for the year. » login to post comments
Transition towns in The Archerswritten on 24/3/2008 19:20
I was listening to R4 a moment ago and heard folk on The Archers discussing making Ambridge (the fictional village where the radio soap is set) a transition town. They’re discussing building a biodigestor across several farms and all kinds of stuff – car-shares and bike hires. I’ve heard that The Archers often do this promoting public discussion of topical issues thing and apparently it’s very influential. Anyone fancy writing to them suggesting they start a CRAG?! Jessica R » login to post comments
The Archerswritten on 24/3/2008 21:44
The Archers was started with one aim of providing information to farmers and reflecting what was going on in rural communities. My wife has been listening to The Archers since she was in the womb… and she’s over 50! It’s obviously a very popular soap considering that it’s been going on so long. » login to post comments
CRAG for The Archers?written on 26/3/2008 00:31
I have today left a message on the BBC R4 website inviting them to check out this website and giving them the basic gen on CRAGS, and suggesting that ‘Helen’ (one of the characters) start one and might even find lurve through it!!! (this last bit wasn’t the main jist of my email, just something to show I knew a bit about the storyline!) » login to post comments
CRAGs on CBS Evening News Monday April 14written on 9/4/2008 15:32
The segment that we filmed with CBS Evening News is tentatively scheduled to air Monday, April 14. The crew filmed our CRAG meeting, followed one of our Craggers around, and interviewed a few of us. The producer said that the segment will air as part of a series on carbon next week, which is why it did not air this past week. CBS is one of our major national news networks, and this is HUGE for us. Prepare for the deluge. Also, CRAGs are in ODE magazine’s April issue. Andy Ross and I are quoted. Georgia’s CRAG is also mentioned. ODE is published in English and Dutch. In the US, you can get the magazine at Borders, health food stores and who knows where else. The article starts on page 52 and is called something like “Brother, can you spare a carbon credit?” » login to post comments
CRAG segment to air tonight on CBS Evening Newswritten on 24/4/2008 19:15
Hey all! the CBS Evening News segment on the Maryland CRAG is going to air tonight, Thursday, April 24. » login to post comments
Maryland CRAG Conratulations On CBS TV Newswritten on 25/4/2008 01:10
Great job Shannon, the report on Maryland CRAG group and its concept was very well documented very well and with such positivity and thier explaination for What CRAG stands for and Carbon footprint. I am very proud of you for getting the CRAG concept to this level and so fast in America and reaching millions of viewers nation wide. As we all know here in America,CBS is very well respected by views and has a great reputation. » login to post comments
link for Maryland CRAG on CBS... I hope!written on 25/4/2008 18:20
If you want to see the all-American take on CRAGs, try this: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/24/eveningnews/main4043555.shtml Good luck! John » login to post comments
Congratulations!written on 25/4/2008 18:34
I understand CBS is a big network in the States, so congratulations! This is a really big achievement. Googling, I found this link on the CBS News site (which also includes the video, which I haven’t yet watched): http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/24/eveningnews/main4043555.shtml I liked the emphasis on Erin being a “soccer mum” and on the financial savings. Unfortunately it didn’t give any link for further information, instead going to carbonfund.org (an offsetting site selling for 5.5$/ton – ouch!). Linking to the thecarbonaccount.com (or this site) would have been way better – could we have fed these guys some links, or do they just go with what they want? » login to post comments
CBS Storywritten on 25/4/2008 20:20
video: http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4043996n Here are the links. CBS wanted to talk about carbon footprints. They wanted to know of a good calculator and I gave them that one and TerraPass, as well as ours. They used the one from Carbonfund.org because it is simple, even though they sell offsets and this was not the purpose of the show. Carbonfund.org is a great organization anyway. » login to post comments
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And conversation re carbon rationing on Woman's Hour on R4 today
Jessica
Woman’s Hour, Radio 4, 16/3/07. See if you can listen again on BBC website. I only caught the tail end of this conversation, but there was an economist making the economic argument for carbon rationing as being more efficacious and fair than simply building the carbon price into the price of goods and letting market forces work their way. He pointed out that with the market forces ‘pure economics’ argument, the rich would still be able to afford to burn carbon and that this would be socially divisive. He said that, with rationing, and that poorer people could work the system and sell their credits. All stuff we know, but good to hear it on primetime radio!
Jessica R