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CAFS staff and volunteers heard a talk from Joe Human this week about the growing crisis for the coffee industry suffering because of the impact of climate change. The enlightening talk went through the journey of coffee and the stories of coffee farmers that Joe, who has worked with coffee farmers for over 15 years, has visited. With over 2bn cups of coffee drunk worldwide every year the impact of climate change on coffee growing countries, such as the increase in annual temperatures and the decrease in rainfall cannot be underestimated. In Ethopia, farmers have reported weather patterns becoming more [...]

We're really excited to announce, along with our Zero Carbon Cumbria partners,  that we are are launching a new online chat to explore challenges, barriers, opportunities and solutions in response to the climate crisis. The informal events will be a conversation style; guest speakers with a wide range of experience and experts who can answer questions. And at just half an hour long they will be easy to catch up with in your break. Each Climate Cafe will have it's own theme, and they will be recorded to listen to or watch at a later date. Nigel Jenkins, Zero Carbon [...]

Response from Karen Mitchell, our CEO. This week has seen some concerning U-turns to the UK’s green policies, including delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, more time to transition from gas boilers to electric heat pumps and the scrapping of plans for landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties. Other proposals scrapped are around household recycling, car-sharing, diet and flying. These changes have implications not just for our work but for everyone concerned about the future of Cumbria and beyond, and flies in the face of the scientific [...]

Local charity Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), widely recognised as the county’s trusted organisation for independent home energy advice, has been awarded over £390K by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to expand their Cold to Cosy Homes service. One of only seven organisations in the North West to be funded, CAfS will be working with the North West Net Zero Hub to deliver the programme. James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at North West Net Zero Hub said "The North West Net Zero Hub is delighted to be supporting Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), along with six [...]

Whilst mainland Europe is burning in record breaking heatwaves, here in Cumbria it seems to be the usual summer weather – cloud, rain, some spells of sunshine. It’s the conditions that we would normally expect.   But whilst it may not feel as though the long term climate is changing in our own backyard, unlike overseas, it is clear from the data derived from monitoring of the day to day weather conditions over many years that it is.    The average annual temperature of the UK has increased since 1884 – with 10 of the UK’s hottest years having occurred since 2003. [...]

Read our latest newsletter for details of our Staveley ebike scheme, Cockermouth charity week, a call for thermal imaging volunteers and climate champions and more! We send our newsletters every couple of weeks. We'll let you know about our forthcoming events, webinars, and courses; top tips for cutting your carbon footprint, our services and projects. To get this direct to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter! Subscribe to get our newsletter direct to your inbox! Follow us on social media for the most up to date news! [...]

Community groups and town and parish councils across Cumbria are set to benefit from a total of £40,000 of funding to initiate or progress renewable energy projects in their area. Our Low Carbon Communities team have produced a comprehensive report which explains what community renewable energy is, and details different models. It covers key considerations and challenges and gives examples and mini-case studies of a wide variety of existing projects already in existence across the county. CAfS Low Carbon Communities Programme Manager, Molly Hogg, said “Our research and report gave us real insight into the help groups need to [...]