Climate Week 2017 raises awareness of, and inspires action on, climate change. Our Council has signed up to help put a spotlight on climate change, and to remind us that, together, we have the power to make change happen.
Changes to our behavior for a greener future include considering the fragile state of our planet and reducing our carbon footprint, such as by reducing our waste and choosing active travel.
Here are some of the events during Climate Week so you can connect nationally, think global, explore and be inspired ̶ thinking about what climate change means to our lives and about options to respond to climate change:
Connect nationally with a Climate Week online event
To help enable widespread involvement, there will be two events streamed live online during Climate Week. You could arrange to watch the presentations with colleagues, participate virtually in the Q and A, and perhaps host your own discussion session afterwards.
The events are:
Tuesday 19 September, 11.00-12.00
Live-streamed from Scottish Government’s Victoria Quay building, Edinburgh.
• Chris Stark, Head of Scottish Government’s Energy Division, Energy and Climate Change Directorate will present on climate change policy.
Wednesday 20 September, 11.00-12.30
Live-streamed from the Keep Scotland Beautiful office in Stirling, this event will focus on climate change communication and behaviour change. Presentations from:
• Dr Catherine Happer, University of Glasgow. Dr Happer’s research centres around public attitudes and behaviours in response to climate change communications.
• Andrew Darnton, architect of the ISM (Individual, Social, Material) approach to understanding and encouraging sustainable behaviours.
To participate and watch the live-streams, they will be broadcast here
Think global at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries
International perspectives about our options to respond to climate change:
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power
Fri 22 – Sat 23 Sept 2016 | 98m | PG | 7.30pm
A decade after ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ brought climate change into the heart of popular culture Al Gore continues his mission to influence international climate policy. This follow up documentary addresses the progress made to tackle the problem and Gore’s global efforts to persuade governmental leaders to invest in renewable energy.
Screening as part of Climate Week 18 – 22 Sept.
Plastic waste: a symptom of the wasteful behaviours associated with climate change:
A Plastic Ocean
Thu 28 Sept 2016 | 102m | 12A | English with some Subtitles | 7.30pm
Journalist Craig Leeson, searching for the elusive blue whale, discovers plastic waste in what should be pristine ocean. In this documentary, Leeson teams up with scientists and researchers to explore the fragile state of our oceans, uncover alarming truths about plastic pollution, and reveal working solutions that can be put into immediate effect.
Contains scenes of animal distress and images of dead animals.
Screening in association with the Dumfries Branch of Friends of the Earth. Local member Ian Gasse will chair a post film discussion.
Better to book! : call RBCFT on 01387 264808 or Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253383
Explore where our fragile planet sits in the universe
Space: Fact and Fiction
“Space is only 80 miles from every person on earth – far closer than most people are to their own national capitals” – Daniel Deudney, 1982.
It is time to look up and out into the huge expanse that surrounds our earth – space.
This exhibition explores a brave new world of science facts and takes a giant leap into science fiction. From our historic Windmill tower observatory to the Galloway Dark Sky Park and galaxies far, far away there will be plenty for all ages to explore.
Exhibition Open Monday to Saturday – 10am to 5pm and Sunday – 2pm to 5pm during Climate Week at the Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura (exhibition runs Saturday 9 September – Saturday 18 November)
Be inspired to walk and cycle more
Active travel can reduce carbon emissions, a positive action to combat climate change. Beat the Street, when held in Stranraer last year, reduced emissions by about 30 tonnes of CO2e. That’s the equivalent of the CO2e generated from a brand new, top of the range, Range Rover driving round the world twice! (or a new Ford Fiesta round six times!)
Beat the Street in Dumfries started on 30th August 2017, but you can still join in and take action starting in Climate Week.
Beat the Street is a fun, free real-life walking and cycling game. The aim of the game is to earn points and win prizes by tapping special cards onto sensors known as Beat Boxes as you travel around Dumfries. The Beat Boxes are on lamp posts across Dumfries. A map on the web-site shows where to find them. Tapping two Beat Boxes within an hour records your journey.
Beat the Street is for everyone, individuals, schools, workplaces, community groups and families can all take part. All ages and levels of fitness welcome.
Find out more and register to take part in Beat the Street on our website: https://www.beatthestreet.me/dumfries
For more information about Climate Week events see here:
or contact the council’s Sustainable Development Team on 01387 260063 or [email protected]
hashtag #ScotClimateWeek
