A successful bid to the National Lottery by The Greening Campaign with support from Hampshire County Council, has secured £495,000 funding to enable the campaign to help more communities across the county take positive action on climate change.
Terena Plowright, founder of The Greening Campaign, said:
“Declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ insinuates we need to rush about doing something, but most of us feel pretty helpless and overwhelmed in the face of such a huge challenge. We feel a lack of knowledge, a lack of support, and a lack of experience when faced with ‘changing the world’. This funding award from The National Lottery will make a real difference. We have funded experts to work with 20 communities across Hampshire to tackle waste prevention, support space for nature, reduce energy use, look at Health & Wellbeing in a changing climate, and understand the importance of food and soil health.
We even have the University of Southampton helping us to monitor and evaluate the changes so we know what difference we all really make. It is incredibly exciting and a huge opportunity for Hampshire residents.”
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Rob Humby, commented:
“We are committed to supporting communities wanting to tackle the climate crisis. We know that to be successful in meeting the challenge of tackling climate change, our partners, residents and businesses must join us to take action and create real lasting changes. As a local authority we simply cannot do this alone. Hampshire’s residents and communities have a vital role in reducing emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change in their own homes and through lifestyle choices.”
The Lottery funding will allow The Greening Campaign (in partnership with the County Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Southampton University) to work with more communities to get themselves organised and make meaningful change to tackle climate change – from improving their home’s energy efficiency and reduce CO2, reducing waste, reusing and repairing, being more sustainable – for example, through locally grown produce – to providing green spaces for wildlife to thrive.
The Greening Campaign is a structured process, guiding communities to act on Climate Change and Biodiversity locally, providing guidance based on experience gained through supporting over 200 other groups across the UK – providing them with a blueprint for success for each step of the way, starting with motivating people in the community to get involved, and making it fun and rewarding.
The Campaign works in rural villages and towns and with Parish and Town Councils, residents’ associations and libraries to also support communities in more deprived areas.
Residents wanting to find out more about the Campaign and what they can do to tackle climate change are invited to meet representatives from The Greening Campaign at two free events to be held in Winchester on 12th June and in Petersfield on 15th June. Residents will be able to learn more about the funded support available and the activities the Greening Campaign can provide.
Email TerenaPlowright@gmail.com or go to www.greening-campaign.org for details.
