One Planet Abingdon Climate Emergency Centre (OPACEC) was set up (under the County Hall Museum) in 2021 in response to Abingdon Town Council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency. As well as providing refreshments for visitors to the town and its Museum, OPACEC has been active in examining the implications of a transition to zero carbon living (i.e. the target set by the national government and embedded in law) for the people in Abingdon.
The volunteer led organisation is not a membership organisation and anybody who has any concern about the state of the environment can contribute their time and resources to help with the activities that relate to the ten One Planet Living principles that were decided on by the consultancy Bioregional in 2003.
We are not expecting the people of Abingdon either individually or collectively to save the world, rather the challenge for OPACEC is to encourage conversation, thereby stimulating the debate as to how the transition to net zero can come about and to motivate our community to get involved.
On 15th June 2024 OPACEC is taking that challenge into the Market Place with a collaboration including Evoke Belonging, Makespace, Abingdon Events Partnership and supported by the Abingdon Town Council. The One Planet Living Festival will provide an opportunity to the 36,000 people living in Abingdon on Thames (and surrounding towns and villages) to become involved in exploring how we can live peaceably and flourish as we reduce consumption and emissions to live as though we only have one planet.
The emphasis of the festival will be exploring and visualising an Abingdon where we consider the impact of our actions, locally and internationally. Abingdon will need to take account of all members of its communities, especially those with less wealth and influence, and those least able to help themselves. As collaborator, Dianne Regisford says: “As more and more African-Caribbean and other ethnic origin families come to live in Abingdon, the social, cultural and racial dynamics of the town also changes. To ensure a vibrant, socially cohesive town which is economically buoyant, just and equitable, it is imperative to create clear strategies which create the conditions for all to thrive. In essence, this is a social justice vision of belonging for all.”
The Festival, which promises to offer a colourful and positive experience, will continue into the evening as the 10 principles are demonstrated, e.g. Culture and Community will see Abingdon’s diverse communities sharing their stories in music, dance and poetry. Equity and Local Economy will see local businesses such as Taiwil Fashions sharing their activities and hosting stalls to sell their wares. Abingdon’s Morris Dancers will demonstrate Health and Happiness and Planted Plates street food will deliver on Sustainable Food, to mention a few!
The One Planet Living principles are: Health and happiness, Equity and local economy, Culture and community, Land and nature, Sustainable water, Local and sustainable food, Travel and transport, Materials and products, Zero waste, and Zero carbon energy.
If you would like to help the activities of OPACEC, including the Festival on 15th June please visit the web site at oneplanetabingdon.org or call into the Centre (currently open 10am to 4pm Thursday to Sunday).
