Environment / People encouraged to join Scottish climate discussion
SHETLANDERS concerned by climate change can take part in a ‘national discussion’ on how Scotland can end its contribution to the climate crisis.
Two events in the isles will form part of the Scottish Government’s Big Climate Conversation, which is asking communities across the country to share their views on the crisis.
The sessions will be run by social enterprise Transition Turriefield and Warmer Greener Homes Shetland, a project funded by the Climate Challenge Fund.
The first event will be held at The String in Lerwick on the evening of Tuesday 8 October, with a second taking place in Cullivoe Hall in Yell on Saturday 19 October.
Participants will be invited to discuss how they feel about the climate emergency, how to take action as individuals and how the government can support people who want to contribute.
Announcing the Big Climate Conversation in June, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted to understand “what changes Scottish people are willing to make, and what they want Government to do to tackle the global climate emergency”.
Transition Turriefield’s Penny Armstrong said: “Many Shetlanders have strong concerns and ideas about the climate and we want to engage folk who don’t normally have a voice. That’s why we are going to the North Isles, we want to hear what people in Unst, Yell and Fetlar have to say.”
Isa Kristiansen-Bragg from Warmer Greener Homes Shetland said that reducing individual impact on the climate would require changes to people’s everyday lives including how we travel, heat homes, ditching the throwaway culture, planting trees and restoring peatlands.
She added: “For this to be a success, individuals will need support from the Government. Ideas and concerns raised at this local discussion will be fed back to the Scottish Government so this is a great way for Shetland’s views to be heard.”
Each session will last around 90 minutes, followed by soup and sandwiches made with locally sourced produce, and places are free of charge. There’s no need to book for the Yell session, while places can be reserved for the Lerwick session via Eventbrite
The Climate Challenge Fund is a Scottish Government grant programme, managed and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, which provides funding and support for community groups to tackle climate change through local community-led projects that reduce carbon emissions. Further details from http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf
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