Inspired by a George Monbiot speech 1 at the 2005 Climate Change March in London, and based on ideas in Mayer Hillman’s How We Can Save the Planet, Andy Ross set up the first CRAG in the West Midlands in December 2005, with Vey Straker (Andy’s sister) setting up the Hereford CRAG shortly afterwards. Andy wrote up a guide to the scheme and posted on the CCC forum (http://portal.campaigncc.org/node/550), where it stimulated a long discussion and brought together many of the original protagonists who founded the subsequent wave of groups in the UK.
Independently, a small group (including Guy, David and others) with an interest in community carbon rationing came together under COIN’s Climate Action Group meeting. It later adopted Andy’s scheme, forming the Oxford CRAG.
David B created this web site in September 2006 as a simple pamphlet which explained the idea. The second, dynamic version was launched in February 2007. It is still maintained and developed in response to the needs of the community.
CRAGs have recently drawn international attention from France, Australia, New Zealand and the US. In the US, Shannon started the first CRAG in Maryland and is busy supporting a growing US network.
Also see: CRAGs chronology
- The Struggle against Ourselves]]: George Monbiot’s speech to the Climate March in London 3 Dec 2005 at: http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2005/12/05/the-struggle-against-ourselve…