You may have patched up your old jeans, found some amazing vintage clothes, and donated unwanted items to charity. What if you need some new clothes and fancy a real-life (or online) shopping trip? Is it possible to shop sustainably for new clothes in Oxford?

The short answer is – it’s difficult, and there is no substitute for buying less. However, by being informed and considering our choices carefully, we can definitely mitigate the impact of our clothes shopping. In particular, we should aim to:

• buy from responsible brands;
• buy items that are recyclable or returnable;
• buy lower impact fabrics.

Are you worried about the climate crisis and looking for ways to contribute locally and make a difference? 

We’re looking for new trustees, including one person to act as treasurer. Being a trustee is an opportunity to get involved in LCON’s projects in whatever ways suit your interests and other commitments (find out about LCON’s activities here).

LCON is keen for people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved: you don’t need masses of experience or knowledge about climate change. Trustees meet once a month (currently online).  We have an experienced bookkeeper to deal with our modest financial transactions, and a brilliant co-ordinator who provides project management and keeps everything moving. 

If you think you might be interested or would like to find out more, please contact our chair Rebecca by email to arrange an informal chat  (chair@lcon.org.uk). 

It’s National Tree Week, the UK’s largest tree planting celebration, marking the start of the winter planting season. There are various opportunities across Oxford and Oxfordshire to get involved: Oxford Friends of the Earth are planting 400 trees in Botley on 5 and 6 December; Rose Hill and Iffley Low Carbon will be planting the first phase of their orchard in late January or early February; and Banbury Trees has received 950 saplings from the ‘I Dig Trees’ scheme which will be planted at a local park.

It is a year since Oxford City Council held its Citizens Assembly on the climate emergency, and budget planning for next year is beginning at officer level. We are concerned that short-term financial pressures may take priority over climate commitments.

Councillors need to be reminding officers of the crucial importance of sticking to the City Council’s commitments on the climate emergency, and we’d encourage all LCON supporters and other concerned citizens to ask their local councillors to do this.

Below is a template email you can use as the basis for your own communications, and you can find out who your local councillor is, and their contact details, here.