Frome Town Council is organising a series of free ‘climate panels’ to get ideas from the community about how they can create a safer future and meet the town’s climate emergency targets.
The panels will happen at the Town Hall between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday evenings in November. A panel of local experts will introduce the topics and key opportunities, and a ‘world café’ style workshop will follow, enabling groups to explore different solutions. These ideas will feed into the council’s climate emergency plan, due to be published in the new year.
Lizzie Boyle, Frome town councillor said, “If we continue to use fossil fuels and resources as we are doing today, we are set for an uncertain future. The Met Office predicts that sea levels in the Bristol Channel could rise by at least a metre which would flood huge swathes of Somerset. The good news is that taking action on climate change has many benefits for us all, including cleaner air, affordable heating and a stronger local economy. Do join us if you can.”
The first panel on Tuesday 12th November, will focus on energy: how can we reduce the amount we use and generate energy cleanly?
The second panel on Tuesday 19th November, will explore transport: how can we reduce the need to travel and have cleaner air?
The third panel on Tuesday 26th November, will focus on resources: how can we reduce the impact of the things we buy, from food to consumables, and how will this impact on land use?
Mendip District Council will then host a meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday 3rd December, which will be a key opportunity to find out more about their plans and highlight areas we need action on.
The series will culminate with a talk at the Cheese and Grain on Thursday 5th December from Transition Town founder, Rob Hopkins, on ‘Unleashing the power of imagination to create the future we want’. Tickets are £5, £1 for the unwaged, available from the C&G.
“The council is keen for young people to be part of the process and will also take the climate panels to Frome College,” said Lizzie Boyle. “Younger schoolchildren will be offered workshops and under 12s are invited to design images of a ‘positive, green future for Frome’. The winning images will be displayed at Frome Town Hall and one will be chosen to be printed as the mayor’s Christmas card.
“The Climate Panels are free and do not require pre-booking; simply come to the Town Hall for a 7pm start.”
