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Sending a message of hope to our representatives.

7 October, 2021
By Rhys Owen

A few weeks ago, we at Climate Cymru were lucky enough to embark on an electric vehicle tour of Wales. Along the way, we witnessed some fantastic projects run by some of the most inspiring people when it comes to living a more green and sustainable way of life. In this blog, I will shed light on some of the actions taken by those involved in one of the projects that may provide more impetus to those who have the political capital to do good for the sake of our communities, and our planet. 

My experience 

To many, COP26 is a conference far away from the work being done on the ground by those who feel passionate about biodiversity, environmental conservation, renewable energy, sustainability and so forth. Having studied politics during the years following COP21, known for the now infamous ‘Paris Climate Agreement’ and being involved with political pressure groups such as Climate Cymru, I admittedly became naive in thinking that wanting to pursue a more sustainable way of life came hand in hand with direct political engagement. I could not have been further from the truth. 

Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn, and the power of action, beyond the political.

Attempting to make a difference to your life in the name of the climate does not have to come directly from the desire to involve yourself with political climate action groups. Many people, and understandably so, are disengaged with politics. As I witnessed first-hand at Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn in Wrexham, the driving force behind the school’s nature-based teaching methods came as a way of fostering a caring environment between the children. This is achieved through the proud incorporation of nature around the school epitomised by a series of illustrated bees painted on the walls throughout the school deriving from its name, ‘Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn’; meaning the school of the field of bees. During the visit, I was told of how one child that struggles with an attention deficit issue who had spent his lunchtime stroking the petals of a sunflower, an example of child development thanks to nature. It is clear that through ventures like these the education system can learn a lot about fostering a feeling of positivity and care for the environment amongst young children which one can hope will cross over into their adolescence, and beyond.

Unfortunately, we are dependent on often distant political figures and consumption loving economic structures to adapt quickly if we want our planet to remain habitable for the next 2000 years. 

If we are to see a COP which culminates with a legislative framework for a sustainable future which is truly worthy of being dubbed the ‘Glasgow Climate Agreement’, I urge the leaders of the world to look towards community action as a way of inspiration and in some ways guidance of how to achieve that. As a citizen of the world, I believe that this conference represents an opportunity for the world to come together and discuss issues that are in need of resolution of the utmost urgency, as demonstrated vividly by the IPCC Report this year. Climate change must be tackled as a collective and through the eyes of hope rather than trepidation. As the effects of climate change have become noticeable in the west with more frequent erratic weather events leading to loss of life and prolonged effects in the global south leading to climate migration, it is easy to get bogged down with the negativity that is surrounding us. Saying this, our trip and the people we met along the way reminded me that it is with hope that we best tackle adversity and the same can be true of creating a more sustainable and equal future in the name of a better society and environment alike.

Next month’s conference truly symbolises a coming together of elected politicians, officials and delegates who will have no choice but to finally represent their respective electorates across the globe if we are to see a new sustainable world. I do believe it is possible!

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