Education and engagement are vital in tackling climate change. By providing knowledge and awareness about the environment, we empower individuals to make informed decisions and take meaningful action. Engaging people in the climate challenge fosters a sense of responsibility and collective effort, driving positive change for a sustainable future.
River water quality may have been the scandal of this year but it’s still shocking that out of 200,000km of English rivers, there are only a couple of hundred metres that are deemed officially safe to swim in. Journalist Jack Thompson explains more, and talks with grassroots community group Friends of the River Dart.
Summer can be a tricky time to keep the momentum for your environmental work going. So, as we approach the end of August, we’ve put together a list of a few ways to develop your personal climate and nature actions and get things moving again!
The South Hams is jam packed with businesses looking to operate in a sustainable way for communities and the environment. Two local businesses are making big changes, with Harbertonford’s village shop coming into community ownership and zero waste shop Green & Wild searching for new owners, and Devon company Planet & People may be of interest to those of you hoping to make your own business more sustainable.
Wilder Communities advice; Wilder Communities Award (coming soon); Wildlife Gardening Award
We began a perennial wildflower meadow project in our local park in 2018 and have since begun managing several road verges and an area of the churchyard for wildlife and wildflowers, working with SHDC. Our other activities include planting fruit and pollinator-friendly trees around the local area, running gardening schemes, holding summer competitions, planting spring bulbs and working with local community groups to host events and guided walks.
Three personal carbon footprint calculators free of charge to help people understand their own carbon footprint and suggest the most effective ways to reduce it; Carbon Ambassadors Live online course: 8 sessions over 8 weeks (this has run three times). A comprehensive guide to carbon footprinting, with guest speakers; Carbon Savers bite-sized course: New course launching in October - 15 minute video sessions with accompanying materials, run once a month for ten months.
Providing tools to help people understand their own carbon footprint
Workshops promoting Earth Friendly values around food from the Deer Wood Trust
A joint project led by SMASH with speakers, stalls and networking opportunities