In this issue:

• Planning decisions
• Parking, transport and the cycle path
• Climate change
• Wood as a sustainable fuel
• Hydro-electric at Steward Wood
• Community Composting
• Focus on trees - Willow
• What is Agenda 21?

We have spent quite some time improving both the kitchen and the longhouse to make them more comfortable for winter. It's been pretty cold, wet and windy recently. We lost over a dozen trees in the storms but our dwellings are holding up well and are snug and warm inside.

Writing this newsletter while listening to the almost ceaseless rain, and thinking about pete cycling to the Hague (and back), it seemed appropriate to make the theme of this issue climate change and CO2.

Most people now recognise that human activities (transport, construction, food production, waste disposal, manufacturing, etc) are affecting the climate - even the petroleum companies have finally admitted the link. While industry and governments seem unwilling or unable to do anything themselves, everyone armed with a little knowledge can do something to alleviate the problem.

If you would like to find out more about any of the issues raised within, please do contact us.

FREE OFFER* ENERGY SAVING LIGHT BULBS (no purchase, gift or donation necessary) In the light of this issue's climate change theme, we are providing some of our lucky readers with the opportunity to cut their energy use, reduce their CO2 emissions, help combat global warming and save money! We are giving away long-life energy saving bulbs to anyone who visits us by foot or bicycle. * Offer applies only while stocks last - which won't be long because we've only got three of them!.

We were disappointed but not surprised or disheartened when our planning application for 'change of use' was turned down by the National Park Authority on 3rd November.

The lively debate by the committee members at the meeting in September had focussed on environmental problems, issues of sustainability, the viability of this project as a sustainable one, the DNPA's obligations to encourage sustainable practices under Agenda 21, and so forth. But it was very disappointing that most of the members at the November meeting (following their site visit) largely ignored these issues.

However, two members (Nicholas Waterhouse and Greta Madigan) remained staunchly in favour of granting us permission. Mr Waterhouse proposed various conditions (such as temporary permission for 3 years; no more than 25 residents; no structure to be created outside the settlement area) which he believed would provide sufficient guarantees for the Park Authority and local residents of how the project proceeded. He said that what we are doing is not contrary to policy, but falls outside it. He continued by saying that we do not want to live in the woods but rather live with the woods, and therefore to require us to commute to the site would be like asking a husband to commute to his wife!

In our view, the decision shows how out of touch the planning system is with sustainable solutions to the pressing environmental problems and challenges we face in the 21st century. We shall be submitting an Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and will be continuing the project in the meantime. We are grateful for this further period in which to prove the viability of the project and hopefully allay the concerns of those objecting to the application.

Thanks for all your letters of support. There will be details in the next newsletter on how you might be able to help in the appeal process.

On 16th November, after over six years, a low impact village near Shepton Mallet in Somerset was granted permanent planning permission for 'change of use' and 16 eco-dwellings. The residents of the 4-acre Kings Hill Community, who moved on in 1992, use solar power, treat their own waste, grow food and earn their livings from rural jobs in the local community.

Details tel. 01749 860660. General info about low impact development tel.01460 249204.

During November we visited the Schumacher College in Totnes for a well attended talk and slide show about low impact dwellings and related planning issues. The slides were of structures built by individuals and communities around the UK and gave a good illustration of what can be done with imagination and resourcefulness.

Afterwards, we chatted with lots of people about our project and planning situation. There was a lot of interest and we've had quite a few visitors since. The person who gave the talk said she'd be happy to put on the slide show in Moreton if there's sufficient interest.

Don't live in Moreton but would like to see the slide show? contact Selena 01803 867239

Unfortunately, confusion continues regarding our planning application and parking spaces. The application form asked for the existing parking capacity which we estimated as 'up to 50*'. We did not propose any change to parking capacity and certainly will not need anywhere near the existing capacity. We currently share one vehicle and are happy for planning conditions to limit us to a maximum of three. Some visitors will inevitably come by car and we are allowing the residents of Steward Cottages to continue to park on the track. The creation of the cycle and walkway will inevitably reduce parking capacity while enabling people to more easily arrive by sustainable transport.

*The planning application and a clarifying letter on parking can be viewed at the DNPA offices.

Not much to report on the proposed track between Moreton and Bovey. A lease for our part of the track is being prepared by Devon County Council.

Contact Graham Cornish, tel. 01271 388499 or the Moreton Pathways Trust, tel. 440314

Transport and the use of non-renewable resources are some of the aspects of modern life that we want to examine at Steward Community Woodland in our attempts to become more sustainable.

We are trying to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel by creating an integrated settlement which will ultimately provide for our economic and social needs with minimum impact on the environment. Living on site eliminates our need to drive to work. Additionally, we can reduce our food-miles (and further reduce fossil fuel use) by buying local produce and growing much of our own food.

Walking and cycling meets most of our local transport needs. However, for the foreseeable future, we will continue to make longer trips or carry large loads, using motorised transport, such as our communal minibus or public transport.

At current usage, our minibus mileage will be less than 3,000 miles per year. We hope to be able to reduce our use further and are researching practical alternatives to petroleum.

The recent fuel 'crisis' during protests over fuel tax, reminded many people just how dependent our society is on petroleum (a non-renewable resource). Many people live a long way from their place of work, many shopping developments can only be reached by car, and much of this country's food is flown in from all over the world. Even food produced in this country is transported hundreds of miles by road from farms to processors, packers, warehouses, distribution centres etc before finally arriving in the shops. All this transportation uses energy, most of which is derived from fossil fuels, releasing CO2 and other pollutants.

Alternatives to petroleum already exist. However, simply switching to low or even zero emission renewable fuels does not solve all the problems associated with car culture: accidents, road building, loss of local services and destruction of community etc.

If society is to address these issues, people's needs must be met in such a way that there is no necessity to drive.

More info: Transport 2000 tel. 020 7613 0743

While we have been experiencing record breaking wet and windy weather in this country, there has been record breaking drought in other parts of the world. This may or may not be a result of global warming but there is clearly a trend emerging.

Due to the 'greenhouse effect', gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), produced by burning fossil fuels, are warming the planet with potentially disastrous effects on weather, sea levels, agriculture and the spread of diseases like malaria.

An increase in the number of devastating storms (such as those in Europe, Asia and Africa in recent months) is predicted. Furthermore, long term changes to habitat may cause mass species extinction and even the collapse of entire ecosystems.

There has been plenty of talk about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Industrialised nations agreed at Kyoto in 1997 to cut their emissions. This might have been considered a break-through but three years have passed and emissions continue to increase.

In November (while fuel protesters argued for cuts in fuel tax and petroleum companies were announcing record profits), world leaders met at the Hague. They were meant to agree on a set of rules to govern how emission reductions would be made.

Even before the conference started, it was clear that the USA planned to block any agreement that might threaten economic prosperity. Not surprisingly, vested interests prevented the 182 countries represented from making any significant progress and the talks were suspended without an agreement.

The conference chairman said, "It is extremely disappointing that political leaders were unable to work it out here and finalise guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially when the public had such high expectations"

Calling for action on curbing greenhouse gas emission, over five thousand people from around the world, built a sandbag wall at the venue of the Hague conference to warn of the consequences of delay

.

Business leaders and oil companies argue that the cost of cutting CO2 emissions could have a negative impact on economic growth and jobs. But the longer we avoid acting, the higher the costs of climate change, the heavier the rainfall, droughts, and sea-level rise - costs measured in hunger, misery and lost lives, not in dollars.

"We fear for our very existence,'' said vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia. "We are watching significant portions of our coastal areas erode, watching salt water intrusion destroy our staple crops and wrestling with lengthy drought and outbreaks of new waterborne disease.'' According to the UN scientific advisory group on climate change, delaying action to curb global warming would leave an even tougher battle for future generations and risk devastating and chaotic long term climate changes.

Immediate emission reductions are called for - perhaps made by cutting energy use, greater efficiency and a switch to renewables. We can't wait for science and new technologies to save us, there is no time. Existing sustainable technologies already provide part of the solution if we are willing to make some changes to the way we live.

For further information contact the UK Climate Action Network Tel. 020 7251 9199

Things we can do every day to cut C02 emissions NOW! 1. Use local shops and services 2. Reduce food miles, buy local produce. 3. Walk, cycle or use public transport. 4. Turn off lights and other electrical devices. 5. Turn down central heating. 6. Improve house insulation and cut draughts. 7. Avoid packaging, buy less, re-use more. 8. Reduce waste, compost and recycle.

At Steward Wood one of our main sources of energy is wood. When we first arrived we used an open fire to cook. We now use a wood burning stove with an oven, that we built from an old oil drum. Stoves provide controlled combustion and are more efficient than open fires. Our dwellings are heated by stoves and our bath is heated by a fire built directly under it.

If trees are replaced at the rate they are used then wood is a renewable resource. Burning wood releases the CO2 absorbed by the tree as it grew but there is no net increase in atmospheric CO2 (unless the trees were cut down with chainsaws and transported using fossil fuels) and therefore burning wood can be environmentally sustainable.

Burning fossil fuel like oil, gas or coal releases in a short space of time the CO2 removed from the atmosphere over a very long period of time millions of years ago. The rate at which humans are now releasing that fossil CO2 is changing our atmosphere and is one of the major causes of global warming.

By using renewable resources (such as wood) in a sustainable fashion, instead of continuing with the unsustainable use of non-renewables such as fossil fuels, we may provide our children and grandchildren with a better chance of enjoying a clean and healthy environment in the future.

For further info about wood and other biofuels, contact British BioGen tel. 020 7831 7222

At Steward Wood many small sallow willows grow near watercourses on the lower slopes. Willow is a deciduous tree common to watersides all over Europe. Species include: grey, white, crack, weeping, osier, sallow, and bay. With its strong, pale, fine textured wood, it has been used for rafters, floors and cricket bats while it's flexibility makes it perfect for woven baskets. Its leaves provide a cinnamon coloured dye and the roots a rich purple. It is considered the best wood for artist charcoal. Short rotation willow coppice has become popular as a fast growing biomass fuel.

An old remedy for rheumatism and arthritis, the bark contains salicin, closely related to aspirin and can reduce fever and pain. In many beliefs it symbolises female life rhythms and the moon. It also has associations with death: branches were placed in coffins, saplings planted on graves and garlands worn by mourners. Orpheus carried willow branches on his journeys through the underworld. The name Salix comes from salire, meaning to leap and to 'sally' (a sudden outburst of action, expression or emotion).

At Steward Wood, we have been experimenting with a tiny hydroelectric system built entirely from reclaimed parts. It produces a constant 8 watts, which may not sound much, but it charges our batteries and easily provides enough to run a laptop for several hours every day. We hope soon to add some electric lighting to reduce our current dependence on paraffin lamps and candles (which use fossil fuels). Hydropower causes no CO2 emissions and can be one of the most environmentally benign energy sources. However, the World Commission on Dams (WCD) recently published a damning report on the impact of large hydro schemes built in the name of development (eg. the Narmada Valley Development in India or the Ilisu Dam in Turkey).

Despite being funded by the World Bank (that has funded many big dam schemes), the report revealed that "in many cases dams have led to the irreversible loss of species populations and eco-systems" and that the impact on people "both above and below dams - have been... devastating".

The WCD report makes it clear that these large schemes do nothing for the poor, just for the construction companies that build them and the industries that benefit from plentiful water and cheap electricity.

Dams and reservoirs off-set seasonal fluctuations in water flow in order to guarantee year round power supply and increase capacity. However, they are not essential to hydro power. Run of the river systems (like ours) use little, if any, stored water but seasonal changes may cause disruption.

If our stream dries up in the summer (which it almost certainly will), we will get nothing from our hydro system. However, winter is when we expect to use the most power and during the summer our solar panels will hopefully make up the shortfall.

For more information about renewable energy contact the Centre for Alternative Technology tel. 01654 702400, or visit our website.

Waste and its disposal is a major problem for modern industrial society. Some is incinerated (releasing CO2) or dumped at sea, most is simply buried. Only a fraction is recycled.

Not only is this a waste of resources, anaerobic decomposition of organic wastes, within the oxygen deprived land fill sites, produces methane (a major greenhouse gas). Properly composted in aerobic conditions, such wastes provide a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers.

Although everyone could compost some of their organic waste at home, composting large volumes of garden wastes (hedge trimmings, grass clippings etc.) may not be practical and not everyone needs compost.

This is where community composting schemes come in, providing local sites for the efficient composting of organic wastes and a local source of compost for those that need it. Local schemes also reduce transportation of waste (and CO2 emissions).

The community composting scheme planned for the Steward Wood site is modeled on a similar project nearby at Chagford. We will compost green 'wastes' on our site in specially constructed bins while woody material will be dealt with in covered heaps to avoid using fossil fueled shredders.

Initially the 'wastes' will be collected on regular dates from prearranged pick-up points in Moreton. We may introduce a home pickup service.

We will not accept any delivery of waste direct to the site in order to minimise disturbance to our neighbours and to ensure the quality of 'wastes' we accept for composting.

In consultation with the Devon Community Composting Network we have carried out a risk assessment and have talked with the Environment Agency about obtaining the appropriate licenses. We hope to be able to launch the scheme next year.

For more information about composting contact The Devon Community Composting Network Tel: 01647 433148 email: nicompost [at] aol.com

Agenda21 was signed by 179 countries at the Rio "Earth Summit" in 1992. It aims to provide a clean environment and healthy economy for the whole world. It aims to translate the understanding of problems into action and solutions. The alternative is worsening poverty, hunger, ill health, and the continuing deterioration of ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being. If we do not tackle these issues, we all face higher and higher levels of human suffering and damage to the world we live in.

No single person or nation can secure a sustainable future alone; but together in a partnership we can. Agenda 21 requires national strategies, plans and policies together with broad public participation, and the active involvement of the non-governmental organisations and other groups.

Agenda 21 provides a guide for individuals, businesses and authorities for better protecting ecosystems and improving living standards for all. It commits governments to fulfiling basic human needs and requires that local authorities work with local communities involved in sustainable development initiatives.

For further information about Agenda 21, contact your local Agenda 21 group.
Devon Local Agenda21 Network 01392 382648

We are Affinity Woodland Workers Co-operative, set up to encourage and enable environmental awareness and solutions by providing examples of sustainable land use. We manage and live at Steward Community Woodland.

You can send us your details and be added to our mailing list - you'll receive information about upcoming courses, workshops and work parties, as well as our future newsletters (donations to cover costs would be appreciated).

Any donations are welcome, but your participation would be worth far more.

As well as reading our newsletters, you can also keep up to date with the latest news and events by visiting our web-site. www.stewardwood.org
Better still, you could come and have a look round the woods, or lend a hand and maybe learn some new skills. We welcome visitors for short or long stays, but please phone first to arrange this.