Climate Friendly Fortnight South West:
15–30 September 2007
The South West Wildlife Trusts celebrated September 15-30 as Climate Friendly Fortnight, creating regionwide opportunities to show and share the ways in which the South West is rising to the challenge of climate change.
For the Trusts, it was a chance to celebrate how they are equipping the region’s wildlife to cope with the different patterns of weather being forecast. But it also allowed groups and individuals across the South West to explain or explore the simple lifestyle changes needed for a low-carbon, wildlife-rich future.
Thank you to everyone who took part for making it such a success. What an amazingly varied and creative programme it was!
There were nearly 150 events, and lots of ongoing activities throughout the Fortnight, from farm shop promotions to free bike checks.
Delicious local food (and wine) was at the heart of many events, with several climate-friendly barbecues, picnics, and food fairs, as well as the launch of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust "Shrink your Food Footprint" campaign. One local butcher even provided free samples for the town climate change stall - a great way to persuade people to stop for a chat.
There were some inspiring open days, with the chance to visit eco-friendly homes and businesses, from a water-powered pottery to a straw bale house. There were plenty of films, workshops and talks, with the chance to meet local celebrities and MPs, and even an eco-treasure hunt. In Dorset, the members of the Climate Change Coalition all joined together to put on a Big Event in the centre of Bournemouth, involving thousands of weekend shoppers.
Altogether, we reached well over 10,000 people. It's hard to calculate the changes made, but in Somerset, for example, action pledges to reduce over 100,000 kilos of carbon were made - the equivalent of heating 27 homes for a year.
We are very grateful to the Chelsea Building Society for design and printing of materials, and to Somerset and Gloucestershire County Councils for local sponsorship.
For more details of what happened in your area, please contact your county Trust at South West Wildlife Trusts.