What Can We Do?
“ … while the sun is shining!”
“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining”
[State of the Union Address January 11 1962] – John F. Kennedy
Wise advice from JFK who used this saying to introduce a programme of spending that he intended would rebuild the US economy. The suggestion behind it is that it is prudent to prepare and repair while there is no pressing need. In the same vein, despite the lovely recent spring sunshine, we should all be looking forward to the cold weather of next winter and considering now what we can do to keep our homes warm and comfortable, our food hot and nourishing and our bills manageable. The Wenvoe Forum can offer some help with that preparation.
On Thursday 12th May we will be hosting our second Community Zoom meeting. Local resident Emmanuel Ebubedike (Manny) who works as a consultant in the energy industry has kindly agreed to share his expertise with us all. Manny will give us his suggestions for things we can do to make our lives and our homes more energy efficient, and we can ask questions about our own ideas.
In principle, we need to reduce our unthinking use of energy. When we do use it, we need to make sure we are using it efficiently and if we can use energy that is generated sustainably, so much the better. There is a plethora of energy saving ideas in the media but many of them require investing time and money before they yield results. It can be confusing and difficult for any one individual to work out what is best for them in their circumstances. Most people won’t be able to do everything they can or want to do, so, how do we choose what is best?
After the presentation there will be a Q&A and discussion. Some of the practical changes may be individual actions, other may be community based. Please send your questions or ideas, in advance if you can, and we’ll try to find answers together, either on the night or through follow up research. We are holding this meeting in May, while the days are longer and the sun sometimes shines to give time to try to put them into practice before grey and cold November rides up.
It is just over a year since the first meeting of the Forum raised, as part of addressing the climate crisis, that we try to encourage the community to be energy aware. Little did we know then how much more important that sentiment would become. Join us while the sun shines to prepare for winter, which if we do it well, will support our precious environment too.
To book your place or send a question please e-mail gwenfo.forum@gmail.com with UNSHINE in the e-mail title. We look forward to seeing you.
Emmanuel Ebubedike, is a Chartered Engineer (C Eng MMMIM CEMI) with over 15 years experience in initiating and implementing energy conservation projects
