Once again it was a great night at the Stand Up Inn as Fairer World Lindfield Climate Group launched its new website and brought people together to talk about “Resilience in the face of climate change”.
James and Jen led the evening looking at how we are going to respond to our climate crisis in a positive way and the importance of bringing a community together to gain support. Contributions from the floor started with Greener Hassocks & Ditchling who have recently started up a Climate Café Listening Circle. Trained by the Climate Psychology Alliance this is a safe and welcoming space to have the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis. Researcher Alex gave us some thought-provoking ideas about how we can find coping mechanisms to be more resilient. Chris of Fairtrade Lindfield spoke from the perspective of global farmers in developing countries and the staple food they provide for us. The increase of hotter and wetter weather is making it more difficult to farm and investment through organisations such as Fairtrade enable them to be more resilient. A great selection of Fairtrade chocolate was enjoyed by all attending!
Peter explained that the Circular Economy is essential for our world to remain sustainable. The linear model of “take-make-waste” is no longer viable, we need to build a circular model that is restorative and regenerative by design with resources staying in the system longer. Peter demonstrated a Fairphone where you can replace and upgrade parts yourself so the phone lasts longer. 11-year-old Esme came along as a keen climate supporter and Youth MP for Mid Sussex. Esme was keen to share her thoughts on how destructive fast fashion is to our planet. She would like to see young people informed more about the waste of resources and slave labour. The education theme continued with teacher Hannah from Great Walstead School who is a great advocate for climate change and Fairtrade with her pupils. Raising awareness about this subject and encouraging them to think about what they can do leads to some great discussions and changes in behaviour.Jen talked about how her start-up business, GoCodeGreen, is providing free access to their sustainable IT learning pathways for women software developers across Africa. This increases education resilience in Least Developed Countries in partnership with the International Telecommunications Unions Parter2Connect Digital Coalition. The evening finished with Colin letting us know about a great project in West Sussex, UK Harvest, which once a month arrives at Ascension Church in Ashenground, Haywards Heath. The purpose is to rescue food mainly from farms that would normally go to waste as it’s not deemed suitable for supermarkets. The surplus food is shared with the local community and anyone can come and fill a bag for £3.50.
There was a real buzz at the end of the evening where everyone stayed on to talk, share, support and gain a real sense of positivity, knowing that together we can become more resilient in the face of climate change.
Watch out for info in the village and online about our forthcoming activities: a foraging event coming up during the summer and a visit to Cockhaise organic dairy farm on Saturday 7thSeptember; Cockhaise owner, Dan Burdett, will also be speaking on a panel after the screening of the film “6 Inches of Soil” which is to shown at Cumnor House School, Danehill, on Monday 24th June at 7pm.
Why don’t you check out our recently launched website: www.fairerworldlindfield.org to learn more about the history of Fairer World Lindfield and how to get in touch with us
