Did you know about the growing network of climate champion volunteers across Cumbria?  

In July we recruited a team of volunteer ‘climate champions’ for the second year in a row. Each champion completed accredited Carbon Literacy training delivered by us and further training to prepare them for setting up and delivering events in their community.  

This year many of the events have had creative themes, such as green bunting and banner making and a plant-based brunch to engage families. In fact, one champion set up a dedicated Facebook group for parents to reduce their carbon emissions (which you can join; search ‘Cumbrian Parents Carbon Challenge’). Following that, a group of three champions held an online webinar sharing a whole range of ways to reduce both household costs and impact on the planet. 

Our champions have been engaging their parish councils in putting climate matters on the agenda (for example in Levens in South Lakes, and St Bees in Copeland) or demonstrating composting best practice in Caldbeck and Gosling Sike. Another champion connected with an organisation that enables adults to deliver talks in schools to encourage students to make green career choices (this champion recently spoke to thirty 6th formers at a school in Appleby). We have even seen musical events, such as a concert with musicians performing songs about the climate and our relationship to the earth, with each artist explaining why they had chosen that song and why it is so important to drive down our emissions.   

There are some events planned for December – why not go along? 
  • 5th: ‘When climate change makes you move’ – A talk and presentation about how extreme weather events in the Global South are forcing people to migrate. Friends Meeting House, Cockermouth, 7.30pm. Register (free of charge) on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/when-climate-change-makes-you-move-a-talk-by-joe-human-tickets-466301629727?aff=ebdssbdestsearch   
  • 7th: Participatory Practice in Action – learn how to engage an audience in a discussion through taking part in this lively workshop. We’ll be tackling the ever present issue of how to bring more people into taking action on the climate crisis. Eden Rural Foyer, 10.30am – 3pm. Lunch included! Contact Clare, project coordinator.  
  • 15th: ‘When climate change makes you move’ – A talk and presentation about how extreme weather events are forcing people in the Global South to migrate. Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven. 

Next year, funding permitting, we would like to recruit a new cohort of champions to continue igniting the ambition within all Cumbrian residents to help our county reach net zero by 2037.

Watch this space for more details.