Hundreds gather to combat climate change on local level at Dorset COP

Dorset’s second community-led ‘conference of the parties’, Dorset COP, was hailed a success as hundreds gathered for the event last weekend at Bournemouth University.

The university’s new vice-chancellor, Prof Alison Honour, opened the event alongside Lois Betts, the university’s sustainability manager, as well as local MP Jessica Toale and event organisers.

The full day of speakers, events and workshops was attended by MPs, councillors, businesses, community groups, charities, students and residents from across the county.

Jessica Toale said: “I was really pleased to open this inspirational event.

“There’s no more profound a challenge or driver of global instability than climate change.

“While the annual climate COPs are really important international conferences, we cannot tackle climate change without local, community-level action.

“That’s why this local Dorset COP was such a brilliant event – bringing together local people, businesses and policymakers to look at what the big issues are and how to address them.

“From renewable energy and carbon capture to the circular economy and sustainable transport.

“I’ll be working with changemakers here in Bournemouth West and the new Labour government to address some of these huge challenges – including cleaning up our seas and rivers, moving us towards a zero-waste economy and ensuring nature’s recovery.”

Among the highlights of the day was the transport workshop, where panellists called for more bus services, an electric bus fleet and improved rail network.

They also reiterated the argument for a light rail to help ease congestion, improve air quality and reduce Dorset’s reliance on fossil-fuelled transport.

Sustainability expert Rachel Parsons hosted LEGO Serious Play, an interactive session using LEGO as a tool to explore solutions to tricky problems.

There was also a fashion assembly, a session on community renewable energy and a panel on how to be a sustainable business.

The day closed with a fast-paced roundup of the day’s activities as workshop leads, keynote speakers and local leaders shared what had been learned from each session, what actions are being taken away and how the momentum from the day could be maintained.

Mark Chivers, co-founder of Zero Carbon Dorset, said: “Earlier this week we saw in Spain why preventing further climate change is such an urgent issue.

“We can’t stand idly by while climate change injustice is rampant. We need our politicians to act now.

“Today, we came, we saw, we imagined.

“The enthusiasm and commitment shown by everyone at the event to find ways to act at the local level demonstrates how the power of community can also make real changes from the ground up.

“The power of community is so strong, and it’s up to all of us to make sure we mobilise and protect the environment for ourselves and the next generation.”