Marchelle lives in Wellow and is a member of Future Wellow . She recently took part in a Community Energy Forum to explore how local people can take action on climate change and help shape the future of community-owned energy.
Why I got involved
Marchelle has been thinking about climate change for a number of years and was keen to understand how local communities could make a meaningful difference.
“I’m interested in thinking about the planet and the climate, and the climate chaos that’s happening. I learned a few years ago that one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions in our area is energy.
When I heard about the opportunity to explore a community-owned renewable energy project, it felt like something that could make a real difference to our community and the impact we have on the planet.”
“This feels like a genuine, ground-up, community-led project – not something being imposed on us.”
- Marchelle, Community Energy Forum participant
What I took away
One of the biggest things Marchelle took from the Community Energy Forum was that the project is being shaped by local people.
“This feels like a real attempt to get a ground-up, community-led project going. Even though the council and other organisations are involved, it’s not being imposed upon us. It’s about us getting involved and driving a project that will work for our community. That feels really genuine and important.”
Looking to the future
The event strengthened Marchelle’s enthusiasm for community-owned renewable energy and gave her a better understanding of what lies ahead.
“I’m still really enthusiastic about the possibility of a community-owned renewable energy project. If anything, I’m more enthusiastic about it.
I understand the timeframes and the constraints much better now, and it makes me feel even more enthusiastic that we continue to have this conversation as a community.”
How can you make a difference?
Community-owned energy projects start with local people.
Find out how you can get involved in Energy in Your Community projects and conversations, and help shape the future of energy where you live.
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