CRAGs ===== My low-carbon efforts this year were not undertaken alone. I had joined my local local ‘Carbon Rationing Action Group’. This [CRAG](http://www.carbonrationing.org.uk/), like many others, was formed by local people wanting to support each other in reducing their personal contribution to enhanced climate change. We met initially, calculated our footprints, then set a shared target for reduction that was based on the target reductions we are aiming for as a society. For our group, this worked out as just over **6 tonnes** for the first year. We also had good chats at the pub each month ; ) I was particularly inspired by Rachel, Oli, Lisa and [Fearghal’s](http://www.thegoodfolk.co.uk/) efforts in their own lives and work, and grateful to their support. The CRAG initiative is entirely volunteer-run, but is in alignment with frameworks like the [Centre for Alternative Technology](http://www.cat.org.uk/)‘s ‘Tradeable Energy Quotients’, the [RSA’s own ‘Carbon Limited’ initiative](http://carbondaq.rsacarbonlimited.org/), and the [UK Government’s trial of personal carbon credit cards](http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/personal-carbon-trading.html). It is worth noting that our CRAG was exceptional in that we decided to include [food](http://foodcarbon.co.uk/) in our calculations, as this is a big factor that we can make choices about. I don’t think my food choices have actually changed that much as a result. Though, it did reinforce come existing behhaviours e.g. getting a local organic vegie box.