(updated) Bridgend Adapts - Building a climate resilient community together. Maesteg Meeting

Update post event:

-       Kathryn’s Bridgend Adapts presentation drew attention to the Public Service Boards’s Climate Change Risk Assessment  Report pinch-points, outlining the need for communities to prepare now for localised responses and she recommended the development of a community-based network.

-       The LA presentation provided a quite detailed overview of the CC Risk Assessment report, that there are potential risky areas, reinforcing the need to adapt. Common concerns emerged - that there is not enough funding within local authorities to take action.

-       A strong agreement that the community sector can play a key role in climate adaptation but support is needed. A feeling that our idea of a Climate Adaption support network would be a way forward and enable a closer link with the LA and the Public Service Board.

Thanks to EGIN for their support for this event.

Advert for the event

INVITATION TO ALL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Maesteg Town Hall ( Y BOCS OREN )

Tuesday 1st July, 12,30 PM FOR 1PM START CLOSE 3 - 3.30PM

Run by Egin Mentor Margaret Minhinnick

Free refreshments and open to all

Speakers include Kathryn Warren (Sustainable Wales) and Helen Hammond (Public Service Board)

RSVP Eventbrite or bridgend-adapts@sustainablewales.org.uk

GWAHODDIAD I BOB GRŴP A CHYNRYCHIOLYDD CYMUNEDOL
Bridgend yn Addasu – Adeiladu cymuned sy’n wydn i’r hinsawdd gyda’n gilydd

Neuadd Dref Maesteg (Y BOCS OREN)

Dydd Mawrth 1af Gorffennaf, 12.30yp AM 1yp DECHRAU, YN CAU 3 – 3.30yp

Wedi’i redeg gan Egin Mentor Margaret Minhinnick

Adloniant am ddim ac yn agored i bawb

Siaradwyr yn cynnwys Kathryn Warren (Cymru Gynaliadwy) a Helen Hammond (Bwrdd Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus)

RSVP drwy Eventbrite neu bridgend-adapts@sustainablewales.org.uk

Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bridgend-adapts-pen-y-bont-ar-ogwr-yn-addasu-tickets-1392381974969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Or contact bridgend-adapts@sustainablewales.org.uk to book.

Read Letter from the Future by Chloe Woodhouse

Chloe Woodhouse

Chloe Jade Woodhouse is a graduate of English Literature and Creative Writing. She is 23 years old and excited to develop her career as a performer. She is currently using her creativity to help teach, write poetry, and volunteer with local communities. 

Chloe's letter is addressed to our current future from a point in her past. Her letter hopes to capture the breadth of dystopia which daily life has become. Trying to trace dystopias evolution, spot its history, sharing her honest reflections. The letter joins others in 'from the future' series which are reacting, feeling, and drawing attention to the forces behind our global crisis.

Read Letter from the Future

Previously published Letters

Film Launch - Sleepwalking into Climate Change (Free Public Event)

free public film launch jan 29th

‘Sleepwalking Into Climate Change?’

Hi Tide Inn, Porthcawl Mackworth Road, CF36 5BT. All Welcome.

Monday, Jan 29th 2024, 7pm

Three x 12 min. Films, Each Followed By Debate and Discussion

Guests include BCBC Leader Huw David

(Filmed in Porthcawl. Join our climate conversation. This event supported by Welsh Government)

trailer

The films are produced by charity Sustainable Wales and film company Mud & Thunder and financed by ‘Warm This Winter UK’, the ‘Postcode Lottery’ and Sustainable Wales. We are grateful for their and Climate Cymru’s support.


About the Sleepwalking Into Climate Change? Films

‘Sleepwalking into Climate Change?” is a series of three twelve minute films, largely filmed in Porthcawl. They aim to locate climate change in the place where we live and will be used to stimulate debate and action locally.

“When leading scientists issue their ‘final warning’ is anyone listening?” asks young climate and policy graduate, from Porthcawl, Ella Williamson, Sustainable Wales’ Local Development and Climate Change officer.

 “The lack of political leadership nationally and public response locally to this major issue is depressing.” said Sustainable Wales Director, Margaret Minhinnick.

Ella’s conversations include the public, school students, scientists, academics, NGO’s (WWF Cymru, Community Energy Wales), community groups, Cenin Renewables, the Hi Tide and politicians.

Climate concern is definitely expressed. Young people sound confused because they can’t see any action. We emphasise that urgent collaboration is essential.

Wide distribution is planned, plus local ‘Climate Conversations’ i.e. discussion groups held to bring people together and motivate action.

Margaret Minhinnick, the films’ co-Producer commented that:

 “We have a cocktail of crises to face. The cost of living, energy, plus climate and ecological emergencies across the world.

“A serious decarbonising strategy - reducing energy use, increasing homegrown renewables and affordable transport is now vital.

“Though government targets commit us to reaching net zero carbon emissions, we see new licenses announced for more gas and oil fields!

 “We require government to lead, yet time is short.

“Thanks to the grant awarded by (Warm This Winter UK – supported by Climate Cymru) Sustainable Wales decided to produce a series of films to bring this serious issue ‘home’ i.e. Porthcawl) assist debate and encourage action locally.”

more info…

By involving other young people Ella begins to find out how people feel locally.  

Street ‘vox pop’ comments come from the local public, conversations are held with undergraduates, school students, and street placards were made.

*Interviews include: Geoff Hobbs, National Resources Wales scientist; Dr Peter Evans Bangor University academic; local town and borough politicians

**, two businesses – Cenin Renewables and the High Tide; Leanne Wood, Co-Executive Director Community Energy Wales; Gareth Clubb Director WWF Cymru and two members Bro Ffestiniog Citizen’s Assembly.

Parc Stormy

 “But it’s not all doom and gloom!” Ella insists. “We filmed Parc Stormy, Cenin Renewables, a cluster of renewables above Porthcawl https://cenin.co.uk/home/ . “.

“Porthcawl is actually powered by this renewable energy. Also the High Tide arcade has a roof of solar panels. Important solutions can exist.”

“The young people we filmed want answers but are not despairing. Yet they express confusion at the lack of urgency locally.

“The contributors make an articulate case for clear, visible, local and national climate action, in Bridgend Borough and Wales itself.”  commented Margaret.

other notes…

The Sustainable Wales ‘Better Porthcawl Partnership’ will use this series of films to organise public discussions. These should reinforce the need to act, thus:

·      challenging ourselves, local politicians and government to drive action in response to the climate and ecological emergency, energy security and the cost-of-living crisis.

·      helping people come together, sharing ideas and planning positive actions to make change.

The films will also be available on our YouTube channel and be distributed via community groups, local schools, social and print media in Bridgend across Wales.

Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@sustainablewales


draft outline of the three films

Episode 1: Conversations - with the public, students, and scientists, regarding the climate crisis and the why we need to act now. 

Episode 2: What's happening? - Discovering the people and organisations responding locally with a focus on local energy. 

Episode 3: Community leadership - Is the climate challenge too big and what can we do as a community?

 

Contact us:  please use the usual contact form

 Conversations: **

Politicians: Sarah Murphy Member of the Senedd

Cllr Huw David, Leader Bridgend Borough Council

Cllr Jonathon Pratt Porthcawl Town Council

Supported by: