As we look to getting back into the swing of things, what groups and projects in the Sid Valley and East Devon are acting on climate change?
CLIMATE AWARENESS PARTNERSHIP SIDMOUTH
There is of course the CAPS [Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth] – and its very active Eco Hub Sidmouth project which starts back after its summer break.
Following on from the successful Sidmouth Nature Festival in the Byes earlier in the summer, there’ll be a session on nature identification at the Library on Saturday 13th September – with a sneak preview of the poster. Come along with the family and see what you can identify!
SIDMOUTH SCIENCE FESTIVAL
There is of course the very active and very successful Sidmouth Science Festival, “started by a small team from the Vision Group for Sidmouth part of the Transition Town initiative” focussing on climate science.
The SciFest also puts on the regular monthly Café Scientifique – but later this month it will be going outside and beyond the Sid Valley on a visit to the Otterhead Micro Hydro, which provides a free, permanent and zero-carbon electricity supply. Go online to book a place on the trip!
SIDMOUTH REPAIR CAFÉ
One very active – and practical – group is the popular Sidmouth Repair Café, which also meets once a month, on the last Saturday of the month.
It too is making its return after its summer break – on Saturday 27th at St Francis Church Hall. Take (almost!) anything along and see how the volunteers can help fix it. All part of saving stuff from landfill as well as saving a bit of money and a much-loved bit of stuff!
LOCAL CONSERVATION GROUPS
Then there is the myriad of local ‘green groups’ and their very active programmes, including:
- the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group – and the STC Environment Policy puts climate and biodiversity at its centre
- the Sidmouth Arboretum – and it has been busy working on the new phone tree trail for Glen Goyle, for example
- Sidmouth in Bloom – its patron the RHS encouraging gardeners to go even greener to keep Sidmouth sustainably in bloom
- Sidmouth Plastic Warriors – a very active group with lots of regular Clean Up Dates making an impact
- the Sid Vale Association – with one of its recent monthly talks by Chris Lockyear of Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth – ‘Do we understand our carbon footprint? ‘
- Friends of the Byes, Friends of Glen Goyle, Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries and Friends of The Knowle – all active volunteer groups focussing on biodiversity
- and the Vision Group for Sidmouth – and its very active Sidmouth Cycling Campaign and Sustainable Sidmouth Champion Awards which ‘celebrates our sustainable community’
GOVERNMENT
Finally, whilst local volunteer groups are doing their bit for the climate, government at every level is too, from the town council’s actions on the environment in Sidmouth, to the district council’s beach management scheme to improve Sidmouth coastal protection, to the local MP addressing the impact of climate change in East Devon.
After all, as a recent survey shows, more than 80 percent of people globally want stronger climate action by governments – as campaigned for by the new The 89 Percent Project
So, let’s get active! Why not join one of the groups and projects?!
And let’s keep reminding our governments of their responsibilities to act!
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