Oxford needs to work together as a community if it is to successfully combat the effects of climate change in the future.

That was the message being put across as councillors, members of the public and environmental activists met at Oxford's Town Hall tonight for a conference to examine ways of tackling climate change.

John Goddard, leader of Oxford City Council urged individuals gathered at Climate Change Oxford to pull together to tackle the issue before it is too late.

He said: "I think it has been a great success in terms of attendance, interest, the quality of speakers and the ideas that have been put across.

"What we have heard is that individuals can, and need to, make their own contribution and that they can make a difference.

"We heard that about 30 per cent of the county's carbon emissions come from homes. We are in charge of our homes and that's an area where we would definitely like to see a reduction."

Speakers included Wolvercote writer, Mark Lynas, the author of books High Tide and 6 Degrees.

Mr Lynas spoke about how Wolvercote had come together to do their bit for the environment.

He said: "We've got various projects under way, including street representatives who can bring together meetings of individual streets and discuss measures they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

"As far as I'm concerned I want to see the whole village going carbon neutral within the next 10 years."

Another speaker, who is living the example he aims to set, is George Marshall from the Oxford-based Climate Outreach Information Network.

Mr Marshall spoke about a project his organisation had undertaken to convert a 1930s terraced property, The Yellow House, off Donnington Bridge Road, into an environmentally sound home.

He said: "When you're doing work to your home, you have an opportunity to improve it."

Peter Couchman, group general manager of the MidCounties Co-op, addressed the conference on what the organisation was doing to tackle climate change - including its plans to put up a wind turbine in Botley.

He said: "We can't simply think in terms of what might come; we need to think in terms of what is happening now.

"If you don't think outside of the box, the box might not be there in the future."

Among other measures proposed are a 'loans for bikes' scheme at the city council to encourage staff to cycle to work; and a partnership with British Gas that would see a one-off council tax rebate of £50 for energy efficient homes.