What is REACT? It’s a new Roseland initiative in response to Cornwall Council’s declaration of a climate emergency. Following the Council’s statement, St Just and Gerrans Parish Councils have also followed suit.
The key question we face is how to turn a wish to rescue our climate into initiatives that will really make a difference. Many key actions can be taken at local level, which is where REACT comes in. It’s your personal opportunity to do something, for the benefit both of yourself and of our community. REACT stands for Roseland Environment Action Community Team and it will do what it says on the tin.
The initiative was kick-started by Professor Richard Cochrane of the Renewable Energy Department at the University of Exeter in Penryn and Sheelah Goldsmith (Cannan). They held a thought-provoking conference at the beginning of March on Climate Change and Neighbourhood Planning. The aim is to make carbon reduction an integral part of all our planning polices and decisions, as well changing our own personal behaviours.
As speakers at the conference kept saying, we have 11 years in which to halve our carbon emissions before we reach the point of no return. If we don’t take action now we will be too late to stem the incremental damage and the devasting effect on future generations. That means our own children and grandchildren.
Richard and Sheelah are Gerrans and St Just Parish Councillors respectively. Richard created REACT in order to help people find a way to make a significant impact on climate change at local level. If you too want to make a difference but don’t know how, REACT meetings will help you find out what to do and encourage you along the way. Acting as a community should help us feel we can all contribute, in ways that are straightforward, useful and even fun!
Our next meeting is at 6pm on Tuesday 16th April at the Standard in Gerrans. Please come along with your ideas and above all your willingness to do something. This 
really is a case of actions speaking louder than words.
For more details and to be put on our mailing list, contact Richard at rcc1002@gmail.com or Sheelah at sheelahgoldsmith@gmail.com / 01326 270246. Our website at http://react.org.uk will be up and running shortly. Meanwhile if you’re looking for further ideas right now try this website: www.drawdown.org.
Finally, here’s a passage written by Margaret Mead and quoted at the Climate Conference, to inspire you to join us:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”