Go Zero

India, along with other developing world countries, is undergoing rapid change. The growth and development of countries such as India and China will have a major impact on the social, economic and environmental balance in the world.

Tamil Nadu is a state in Southern India with a population equivalent to that of the UK. Around the district of Tirunelveli a remarkable community support organisation has developed called SCAD, (Social Change and Development) that seeks to bring about positive change through encouraging people to take responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others.

SCAD is a non-governmental organisation that currently supports and links 450 communities in the area. They reach out to some of the poorest and maginalised people in India providing a programme of education, training, and development.

GoZero is pleased to have an association with this organisation that supports communities in action and reflects the values to which we aspire; to respect both people and the planet. We have a common desire to link communities in both the developed and developing world at grass roots recognising that we gain from sharing ideas and experience.

Cletus Babu who heads the organisation has visited and spoken in Chew Magna and hosted return visits from members of our community. During a visit to India in January 2006 we discussed a number of opportunities to work together.

TREE-LINK

Carbon Offset funds raised in the local community can be used to support the planting of new timber and fruit farm plantations in Tamil Nadu. An acre of newly planted woodland is a fraction of the cost of new woodland planted in the UK and would support viable and sustainable living in Tamil Nadu as well as providing shade for livestock, increasing biodiversity and improving the local water table.