GREEN thinking people across Taunton, Wellington and West Somerset are getting together to tackle major environmental issues at a local level through the Transition Towns initiative.

The scheme has been has been adopted across the area to make the community more aware of major environmental issues including peak oil and climate change.

Taunton has been named a Transition Town and aims to bring those new to environmental thinking and those with existing knowledge together to create a joined up approach to making Taunton a low carbon, sustainable town.

Groups in Wellington and West Somerset have also been chipping in to help spread awareness and start projects to benefit the environment.

Linda Poole from the Taunton group said: “The Transition initiative is about seeing what local communities can do right now to re-examine how we feed and clothe ourselves, build and warm our homes, and live and work as a community.

“This involves sourcing more and more of what we need at a local level rather than national or international level.

“Most importantly, it means working together to look at the resources we do have, and make the most of them.

“Those involved in Transition believe we can re-discover a better sense of community by becoming more localised and self-reliant, and less wasteful.”

Taunton Transition Group will be holding a public meeting on January 17 to talk about what action can be taken on subjects including food, transport, education, sustainable housing and energy supply.

For a special feature on Transition Towns and some of the projects in the area, pick up the County Gazette - out tomorrow!!

- For more information on the schemes click on the related links - right.