Comment - August 2009
Not everyone's away
It sometimes feels as if I am the only person working at the moment when I try contacting people. But then when I venture out I am surprised at just how much traffic there is trying to get through London.
London is seeing a number of car clubs being set up which enable people to have access to a car only when they need it. It makes a lot of sense if you have access to public transport for everyday trips, but only need a car for the odd evening or weekend trip.
However for many people a car is vital. Few living in rural communities can imagine life without at least one and often several cars per family.
This must be the case for many who live in Devon and that is why it is especially good to hear from Martyn Goss our Diocesan Environment Officer for the Exeter Diocese.
Martyn is another of those hard at work at the moment. And in addition to all his normal diocesan duties he's organising an initiative to involve his colleagues at the old Deanery to join in European Car Free Day on 22 September. The day has been part of Christian Ecology Link's programme for several years and this year Martin's plan is to encourage everyone working on Church business in Exeter to find alternative means of transport (crazy or otherwise) or at least car share if they can, and that a charge of £10 per car be levied on all cars parking either at the Old Deanery or at Diocesan House that day!
Any proceeds from this will be donated to the new Church of England's Climate Justice Fund www.climatejusticefund.org.uk
Do let us know any car-free initiatives in your diocese as with communications we are planning to promote the Car Free Day and the more stories we have the better.
It could be a challenge, but it could be fun and what a great way of helping to launch the new Climate Justice Fund! Please email me with any plans or ideas.
Thanks David
