A second meeting will discuss climate change in Newtown

A second meeting about what can be done locally to combat climate change is to be hosted in Newtown.

Sixty people attended the meeting in Newtown last week hosted by Friends of the Earth Montgomeryshire to address the question “What can we do?” to meet the challenges of climate change locally.

Bleddyn Lake, campaigns co-ordinator for FoE Cymru, asked people to imagine Newtown in 2030 and think what would need to have changed for the community to be striving towards a sustainable carbon free future.

"The responses were many and varied and reflected the efforts of many who have already taken positive steps in this part of the world towards addressing these issues – in housing, food security, care of the soil, transport, energy, diet, care of the environment and protection for endangered species," said a spokesperson for the local group.

"There was a strongly expressed view that confronting the challenge of climate change required action at national and international level primarily, and there was appreciation of the impact of the actions by Extinction Rebellion in London and elsewhere.

"This week has seen the Welsh and UK national governments finally declare a climate emergency, which is an essential first step. This now needs to be followed up by appropriate action at all levels.

"The urgency of the need for action was clearly expressed – but what does it make sense for us to do collectively in Montgomeryshire?"

The spokesperson added: "It was very encouraging to hear from those attending the meeting how much is already going on in the area and now that many communities in Wales and the UK have declared a climate emergency, there will be more ideas coming from there. It was agreed that:

• an early task would be to compile a briefing on what is already underway locally 
• and then provide a focal point or hub to help connect the many initiatives taking place
• and enable people to connect with the projects they felt passionate about and 
• to highlight actions elsewhere that we could consider taking up here. 
• Amongst other things, the next meeting will look at practical ways of achieving this.
 
"Since the meeting, we have had positive feedback and lots of ideas from people who attended. This is what is needed – nobody knows exactly how to deal with climate change and nobody is an expert in how to respond locally. This is a unique challenge that we have never faced before.

"At present the people active and involved in dealing with aspects of climate change are a small minority of the general population. One of the key tasks is to widen this group out and reach beyond the current demographics. We need to hear from all parts of our community. So, if you are reading this, please put the following date in your diary. Thank you."

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 4 June at the Methodist Church, Newtown at 7.30pm.