Chipping Norton, England, United Kingdom
Marcus Simmons has a background in materials-science R&D, outdoor pursuits coaching, humanitarian aid, and education, and has been deeply engaged in training and teaching, advocacy and practical community sustainability for many years now. With an atmospheric-physicist father, he has followed climate science with serious and growing concern since the 1980s. He has developed and delivered a wide range of learning/training resources and activities on climate, ecology, energy and electricity for schools, youth and adult groups: indoors, online, and on a community wind and solar farm site. He also gives various public talks, outreach, training and discussion sessions, on climate,ecology, advocacy and local practical action. As a founder member of Transition Chipping Norton he has developed and run a range of practical community sustainability initiatives, including personal footprinting and plans, improving buildings and transport, gardens and allotments, appreciating natural ecosystems, and working with local media and councillors on climate emergency responses. He has also been a founder director of start-up enterprises in eco-building and community supported agriculture.
The Oxfordshire Doughnut Economics Collective (ODEC) is a new network of change-makers committed to working together for a thriving Oxfordshire. We are in the process of co-creating the purpose, role and functions of the collective with participants and are sharing our journey on the ODEC LinkedIn page. Follow over there to find out more and sign up.
Sustainable Community Solutions
Educational outreach and online/in-person teaching/tutoring, including maths, physics, chemistry, other science and ICT, STEM and sustainability activities
Developed innovative strategies for supporting developing-country groups and individuals, and in training and dissemination of ‘sustainable living’ solutions both in UK and abroad. Provided consultancy and advice via ongoing dialogue, to grassroots NGOs, vernacular building experts and ‘social business’ groups, in the areas of sustainable construction, appropriate technologies, integrated farming etc. Conducted practical teaching workshops introducing agro-ecology and integrated farming concepts, sustainable building (constructing domes and other structures using innovative ‘super-adobe’ methods), and other appropriate technology topics. Developed a car-towed Mobile Training Facility (strawbale house and dome building demonstrators, compressed-earth blocks and improvised emergency shelters). Used at Scouts Centenary International Jamboree (65,000 participants), Engineers Without Borders training, etc. Also ran other demonstration building and training/awareness workshops/activities in Nigeria, RHS Hampton Court flower show, Ecodysgu and Coed Hills centres etc.