13-07-2023
Eco-debate
Attendees
| VASL Rohini Corfield |
| VASL Ken Harvey |
| VASL Sharron Eco village and Congregational Church |
| Sustainable Harborough Julie Fagan and guest … |
| Woodland Trust (all round Eco guru) Kimberley Durham |
| Bite Back Youth Ed Lever (apologies from Ed he had a late exam so couldn’t attend) |
| Chair of Governors Kay Goddard |
| Eco Village |
| Associate Principal Kate Nicholson |
| College Leader Lorna Kirk – who may have to leave early |
| College Leader Danielle Patterson |
| Eco committee members – who may have to leave early |
| Apologies Neil O’Brien MP (previous engagement) |
Welcome to our first of its kind Eco-debate/discussion. We have an interesting mix of people who all have knowledge and ideas about climate change in our world.
We have some topic to discuss which I have placed on the tables using paper due to be recycled. We have some small notebooks available which again I have reused from wastepaper. I have some Eco-friendly pens to use if you wish to take notes. Please return after use.
I propose that we take about 10-15minutes on each topic which will hopefully take us to 4.30pm.
We can take note of any ideas we wish to take action on either as a group or a pledge or as an individual. I can send some summary notes out to you if you would like them.
I’m no David Dimbleby but here goes with:
Our first topic is:
Q. Can man made climate change be reversed?
Notes
Soraiya began the meeting very confidently and eloquently and spoke about the idea of a ‘tipping point’ which may have already been reached and the point where we can reverse it. Through science she felt like we may have a chance, but this needs support and funding from companies who have no interest in renewables. Tim strongly supported these points and gave us some evidence which suggest that although we may not be able to get back to temperatures of 1850 (when records began) we may be able to limit the climate change to under 2o – the technology already exists! But the change will only come with social, economic and political will. The problem is that there is a vested interest in keeping things the same, businesses, industries, countries globally do not want to reduce their power and strangle hold on us by introducing renewable eco-friendly energy as it is not in their financial interest. Trillions is pumped into subsides for fossil fuels which could be diverted into renewables. Julie reiterated these points and expanded into other financial considerations that individuals should consider. Such as, where is your pension money is being invested as many pension funds are using unethical companies. If the individual researched and choose not to have their pension invested unethically would this mean they would lose out? Is it a choice we can make? Kimberley spoke about transparency and seeking out information and truth and that us as individuals can research and choose where we bank, have our electricity and gas etc. and if we find out about pensions it wouldn’t have a financial impact on us, but it would as your pension is set but it would have an impact on the companies. If we ask more will be uncovered.
Thinking about us as individuals:
Q What do you think an individual can do to help our world?
The discussion flowed seamlessly into the topic of how an individual can help the world. Sharron spoke about the choices that can be made as an individual at the Eco-village and that we can make a difference if we are able to especially as the Eco-village have already research the eco ethicality of their products. One of our students Izzy also works at the Eco-village and spoke about the positive message that she feels people who take time to try to make deliberate choices to help the world, Emily added that people have to have hope that things will change and we have to be resilient.
Late entry for discussion:
Q. Do you think there are eco-lessons from the past that would help our eco future?
Notes
Ken answered this with his information about the Second World war and Churchill forming a combined government to help with the war effort and he thinks that is what should happen for the climate crisis.
Lastly:
Q. Do you think there is a way of protesting that has mass appeal and will help the environment?
This point was highlighted from the last point about individuals taking action in their own households and communities. As a group we built on this and spoke about Climate Anxiety and Climate Grief and how people at any age can feel overwhelmed with worries about Climate Change and what they can do about it. The group were very united with concern about the impact of inaction and also raised concerns about the new legislation which has brought in further ways people can be arrested for simply having the basic means to protest such as blank signs – if people were arrested this could have negative impacts on their lives for what is essentially peaceful protest. We were enlightened with some facts about how difficult it now is to protest peacefully and that peaceful protests are often ignored or risk oppressive police state tactics in the UK. Also the negative press often given to climate change with Extinction Rebellion’s action seeing public opinion against them because of the disruption caused and dangers to the public when ambulances were delayed. This disruption and negativity can cause the public to ‘shut down’ and be ‘apathetic’ to the eco message. We discussed the word ‘protest’ and ideas of a ‘softly, softly’ approach similar to the ‘Velvet Revolution’ idea in Czechoslovakia in the 1980’s with peaceful groups who have permission from the authorities. The knowledge that the groups were discussing was wide ranging including historical, political and scientific topics. Julie discussed a protest at the Shell AGM when the Climate protesters were chanting ‘Go to Hell, Shell’
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6VYpfVfDngo
which was quite lighthearted but still reported on in various ways ranging negatively and positively. We concluded with Ken who summed up the discussion by thanking all the debaters and he praised the students who represented the school excellently and spoke with great conviction, knowledge and eloquence, he had learnt a lot from the young people. He said that during the Second World War the Conservative and Labour parties worked together and he thinks that should happen with the climate crisis, much as it did during the Covid Pandemic. He also read from an interesting article his daughter had researched about marine mining and the damage it can cause, this article exposed that the British Government had approved the mining to go ahead however most European countries had not. We concluded that as individuals we need to seek out and expose the companies and governments who are doing dreadful things to the environment, and we can write to MP’s and as groups protest by boycotting the companies and exposing their wrong doings. Also, positive protesting by trying to counteract some carbon wastage such as tree planting, tree protection and preservation, choosing ethical products and rewilding.
The main outcome from our discussion is to have hope and try our best as individuals and groups to do whatever we can to combat climate change.
To end the debate, we enjoyed some snacks provided by Mrs Spencer our catering manager and also each participant received a small gift of a pouch of meadow seeds to ‘sprinkle on some land, to give the Earth a helping hand.’
Attendees Comments/ Feedback
Dear Judith, thank you very much for inviting Sharron and myself to this special meeting and very kindly reserving a parking place. You chaired it excellently and your young people and their knowledgeable articulate contributions were the highlight of the meeting. Sharron enjoyed coming and with her knowledge was able to contribute.Enjoy the weekend and I hope we can meet again perhaps at Ivy Joys Tea Room
Many Thanks Ken
Dear Judith
Thank you so much for arranging and leading the discussion today, and the recyclable nibbles to give us new energy. Our thanks to your kitchen providers too.
Meeting those articulate and enthusiastic young people was very encouraging, as well as the other people there, especially the Community Champion Ken with his words of wisdom.
We look forward to the next instalment, if that is a beneficial way forward and if we can be of help. We would love to come again but no pressure.
I mentioned the report of Climate Outreach and attach it below, also the song about Shell going to hell! It still makes me chuckle when I listen to it. I thought it very clever. The 2nd song on the video clip was new to me but also very effective I thought.
Again, many thanks,
Julie, volunteer, Sustainable Harborough Community and Eco Church
Climate Outreach Theory of Change
https://www.msn.com/en-in/video/money/go-to-hell-shell/vi-AA1bzOEq
Good morning, Ken,
Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos of the Eco-debate on Friday – I love the last one!
Thank you, Judith, for such an interesting debate – your students, particularly Soraya, were a real credit to both the school and their generation’s commitment to saving the planet. Their sense of responsibility and agency was so inspiring. It was fantastic to have local environmental leaders there to guide us in our thinking and challenge our practice.
Thank you, Ken, for also sharing your perspective and showing us what you are practically doing to live sustainably.
Well-done Judith for hosting the event with your characteristic friendly style and warm hospitality – you are a star act. 😊
Do you want to write a blog about this, or have the students already reported it in some way? I just need 450 words and we can use one of Ken’s photos with his permission.
I really love learning from you both – we have a special friendship.
Best Wishes
Rohini