🌿PEAT May Newsletter
🌿 Saturday 27th April. You may have heard of Amy Bray, a young Cumbrian woman who set up the charity Another Way. She is doing more amazing work here on our doorstep with young people, watch her short film here to launch her latest project the ‘Power of 10’, and prepare to be moved by the energy and possibilities of community and people coming together.
https://www.another-way.org.uk/
Her belief is that if ‘one person spreads a message to ten people on one day, and the next day those ten people told ten more each, then in only ten days, the whole world hears the message. If all seven billion of us made one difference, imagine how many problems could be solved.’ Such a simple powerful message that we can all do, so how come sometimes it feels so hard to do?
You might be wondering where to start in these times when it feels so difficult, uncomfortable, and pointless. How do we even start a conversation, let alone have one about the climate and ecological breakdown that’s happening and, how do we move to a more sustainable future. Some of the tips are,
- to find common ground
- to listen well, talk less
- start where people are - we are all on a journey
- tell your story about why it matters to you, how did you get here, children, grandchildren, legacy - what did you do when you knew?
- ask questions that start a conversation - for example ‘what concerns do you have for the future of your children/our children? what changes in weather patterns have you noticed in your lifetime? what environmental changes have you noticed?’ There are plenty of local examples that might help, eg Windermere, river pollution, decline of local bird populations
- talk about small steps that make a difference - see Amy Bray’s website for a simple list of 10 things
- the key seems to be that it’s about the conversation not the conquest
These are some helpful resources, check them out for more specific support
https://climateoutreach.org/reports/how-to-have-a-climate-change-conversation-talking-climate/
https://preserve.nature.org/page/125750/data/1
PEAT is sending the newsletter out slightly ahead of the first of the month, as we have elections next week and if you haven’t already contacted your local candidate, there’s still time to check out what they stand for. Here’s a link to who is standing in the local elections for the Cumbria Police Fire and Crime Commissioner and also in our local bi-election.
https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/LA116JJ/10003963605#election_pcc.cumbria.2024-05-02
There are contact details on the link for the PFCC candidates, the contact details for the local councillor candidates are
info@westmorlandconservatives.org.uk - Ali Hibbert
andy-hull@hotmail.co.uk - Andy Hull
Mpdnut@gmail.com - Martin Powell-Davies
There is a noticeable lack of mention, where there is anything at all, about the climate and ecological crises we are facing. A quick email to ask how will they support policies and actions towards a sustainable future in our local area, will start to signify that this is important to their constituents. There is also the chance to support the campaign urging local authorities to disinvest pension funds in fossil fuel companies.
https://www.divest.org.uk/elections-2024/b
It’s something we have been thinking about in PEAT especially in the countdown to a general election, whenever that happens. In preparation we are working with other environmental groups in Cumbria to design searching questions for the candidates, but we are also hoping to find out more from our members and the general public. We have a number of events in the pipeline and we will be using them to find out about your concerns for the future.
Warm wishes Annette ( Chair)