Devon’s carbon emissions have reduced by almost a quarter (23 per cent) during the lockdown new data suggests.
The data has been collected on behalf of the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group (DCERG), a group of public, private and voluntary sector bodies working to make Devon carbon neutral by 2050 at the latest.
It forms part of a discussion paper ahead of Friday’s DCERG meeting and suggests that the reduction in road transport and energy use has had an immediate and profound impact on emissions.
Average traffic flows in Devon have reduced by 60 per cent,...
'There can be no return to normal because normal was the problem in the first place' (graffiti in Hong Kong)
This COVID-19 pandemic is bringing out the best in people, and the worst in us. I have been actively engaged in community support in my own area, working closely with some very vulnerable people and some hugely generous ones. There is a sense of graciousness and humility usually lacking in our relationships, but it’s around in abundant good will – at least for the moment. Isolated 70-year-old strangers ringing each other daily to check how each is doing; children developing...
Wild Planet Trust is the Devon-based charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, plus several nature reserves in Devon. While 2019 was not a great year for the charity, there are, says Trust boss Simon Tonge, some reasons for optimism:
“Last year was not the best for visitor numbers, though we still saw 700,000 people come to our three zoo sites. And it was the end of an era – Duchess, the last elephant in the South West of England, died.
“On the plus side, 2019 saw the lifting of TB restrictions at Paignton Zoo. Although it has...
The Greater Exeter area has been recognised as one of five places in England that has the vision and ambition to create great places for the future.
Greater Exeter was today (Wednesday 13 March) named as part of the Future Place programme. This initiative is intended to unlock placemaking potential through quality in design, future thinking and knowledge sharing.
The area will receive training and expert advice in helping to develop the Liveable Exeter Vision, which will see 12,000 new homes built within the city between 2020 and 2040, as well as supporting the wider...
Are there lessons to be learned from Exeter’s past to take into its future? Can we discern characteristics from its history to enlighten the next few generations of this more than two-thousand-year-old city?
From its first beginnings as a prehistoric hill settlement, what has really determined Exeter’s wealth and well-being has been its geographical location – its underlying geology, its climate, and its estuary position east of Dartmoor.
On a promontory overlooking the river valley, Exeter has enjoyed a position of strength against potential invaders, access to water for...
oin VoyageVert for an inspiring dive into the ground-breaking travel revolution that provides a viable, sustainable alternative to long-haul flight. Imagine being able to book a 7-10 day high-speed, carbon-free adventure to New York rather than a cramped 7hr flight that misses everything in between your departure and destination. The land comes into view, you’re arriving by sea into a historical port after a restorative and perspective-changing journey across one of the world’s largest oceans.
Co-Director, Ross Porter, 12 years a Marine Engineer and with 36,000+ nautical blue miles...
New research from housing charity Shelter reveals 59% of 18-44 year olds in the South West say they will be forced to put their lives on hold because of housing problems.
The Shelter and YouGov study of adults under 45 was carried out as part of the charity’s Great Home Debate. It revealed the housing shortage is reshaping how many people in the South West live their lives and creating entirely new timeframes for when they hit traditional life milestones. Housing is a reason for people lagging behind in crucial aspects of their lives – from career and retirement to family and...
People in Exeter are being given the chance to quiz councillors on any key issues for the city.
Exeter residents are invited to put forward questions to members of the joint County and City Councils' Exeter Board, at their next meeting on Thursday 28 April at 5:30pm at the Civic Centre in Paris Street.
The Board allocates 15 minutes for their ‘open forum’, with 3 minutes per speaker, with a maximum of 3 - 4 speakers to allow time for discussion.
Previously, residents have prompted debate about issues including street lighting, homelessness and waste collection....
Devon County Council has launched two public surveys asking residents what they feel about services that the council provides, and where they think the Council's priorities should be next year.
The responses will help the council make decisions about the way services are provided in future.
Over the past five years the County Council has had to save £174 million, giving a total current net budget of £500 million to spend on important public services such as adult social care and road maintenance in Devon.
New Government spending targets means that a further £110...
On Thursday 19th November, Tourism business owners are being invited to attend an important meeting regarding the future of Visit Devon.
Following on from the Devon Tourism Partnership Survey - conducted earlier this year regarding the future promotion of Devon - plans are being considered to bring together a new model of operating towards the future promotion of the county, using the Visit Devon brand.
The event will discuss future plans and give business owners the opportunity to get involved in the future direction of Visit Devon. Business owners will be able to have...
