Climate updates, year in review, do you play Wordle?
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** News from mySociety
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January 2022
** Research
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** We're looking for a researcher
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We've got a really interesting piece of work to commission, around how much the general public understands local government and their role in the UK's carbon reduction targets.
If you're a researcher with some understanding of the local government landscape, please do have a read of our call for proposals ([link removed]) — and it would also be very helpful to share it in relevant communities. Thanks!
** Better commissioning
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If you read that call for proposals and found it refreshingly comprehensive, there's a reason for that.
Thanks to some industrious investigation by Gavin Freeguard, we now know much more about making the research commissioning process a harmonious and productive one.
Gavin's shared his findings in a report ([link removed]) , so this knowledge can have the maximum benefit across the sector.
** mySociety
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** Our year in review
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Here's another chance to revel in everything mySociety did in 2021 ([link removed]) — and this year there are pull-out sections too. You know, like the Sunday newspaper supplements.
In WhatDoTheyKnow's Transparency Report ([link removed]) we examine stats such as how much material was removed from our Freedom of Information site, how many accounts were banned, and why.
And SocietyWorks' Year in Review ([link removed]) goes through everything you need to know about our commercial subsidiary's activity, from which councils use our software to what sort of savings they've made by doing so.
** Events
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** TICTEC Civic Tech Surgery #2: Accessibility and inclusivity
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Our second Civic Tech Surgery ([link removed]) tackles the pervasive issue of how we ensure that the tech we build is truly accessible for everyone.
Listen in on an international panel as they present and discuss possible solutions, in a conversation that will go on to inform the Action Lab working group.
Book your place now ([link removed])
** Climate
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** What we did in December
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Last month, it was Zarino's turn to share what we've been up to on the Climate programme. In a nutshell: really quite a lot!
You can read more about the many new features on CAPE, our Climate Action Plans Explorer, here ([link removed]) .
** ... and, watch this space!
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Our partners at Climate Emergency UK have undergone the massive task of scoring every UK council's Climate Action Plan across nine crucial criteria. Thanks to the efforts of a trained cohort of volunteers, it'll be easy to see where each council is doing well, and where work is still needed.
It's not long now until the scores will be revealed in Climate Emergency UK's big launch — we'll let you know as soon as it's live.
** Our own carbon
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Of course, it's all very well our scrutinising other organisations' climate plans — but what are we doing closer to home?
Most recently, mySociety made a tricky decision around carbon offsetting ([link removed]) . Tricky because we know it's not a perfect solution — but it's better than doing nothing while we explore other options.
** Want more on climate?
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We're adding new features and tools to the Climate Action Plans Explorer all the time. If you'd like to know when there's something new to try out, subscribe to our Climate mailing list ([link removed]) .
Sign up for updates on our Climate work ([link removed])
** Call-outs
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** Messages from our network
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News from other organisations that you might find of interest:
** Action around the Elections Bill
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Make Votes Matter and other democracy sector organisations are organising a protest against the Elections Bill on 5 February. Speaking at the protest will be a cross-party selection of speakers. Find more details here ([link removed]) .
** Do you have a responsibility for climate?
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University of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability want to know: do you have a responsibility to monitor, report, evaluate or be held to account on the delivery of climate and ecological measures or working towards net zero in your organisation? If so, they'd appreciate your responses to their survey ([link removed]) by 11 February.
Did you know that you can subscribe to our special interest newsletters too? Get an extra monthly bulletin on Democracy & Campaigning, Freedom of Information, Better Cities & Councils, or Research. Pick and choose your mySociety newsletters here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
** What we're reading
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* Lower the voting age to six... sounds crazy, right? ([link removed]) Some of mySociety were surprised to find the arguments presented quite persuasive.
* Right Here is pushing for a Community Power Act. See what that means here ([link removed]) .
* In on the Wordle craze? mySociety developer Matthew built some tools you might like ([link removed]) .
* On which subject, disappointing tapir news ([link removed]) .
** Follow mySociety
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Image credits Low emission zone sign - ** David Hawgood ([link removed])
(** CC by-sa/2.0 ([link removed])
); diary ** 2H Media ([link removed])
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