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.
As we work to develop next year’s Assembly, focussing on Young People and Education, we’ve been learning from some wonderful exemplar projects. This month, a group from Sustainable South Hams visited the Harbour House Gallery in Kingsbridge to view the amazing exhibition by their young curators and to find out more about co-creating with young people from Dr Beth Richards, who headed up the project.
Building on June’s conversation around Scaling Earth Resources, the November Change Makers’ Meeting introduced a series of community composting projects currently in development by Sustainable South Hams, in partnership with Devon Community Composting Network and South Hams District Council.
Our new Change Makers Gatherings got off to a strong start with an online session discussing South Hams District Council’s new draft Corporate Strategy for Climate & Nature.
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.
Kingsbridge Energy Fair offered insights to eco-energy possibilities
Hope Cove and Soar Mill beach cleans and beach surveys with SMASH
Transition Streets is an award-winning project that brings neighbours together