5 minute read
Fighting Climate Change
GwyrddNi staff at Dyffryn Nantlle
Actionstations
Sianed and Méabh - two of the youngest members of the Dyffryn Nantlle Assembly
GwyrddNi is a climate action movement based in Gwynedd. Casia Wiliam explains a little bit more about this community led programme, and what it means for this North Wales region…
It might be strange to open an article in North Wales Magazine with a quote from an American, but it was Margaret Mead, the cultural anthropologist from Philadelphia in the US who said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
It was with these words in mind that GwyrddNi, a Climate Action Movement based in Gwynedd, set to work.
The Movement is funded by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund, and delivered in partnership with six local, community organisations; Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig (DEG) in Caernarfon, Partneriaeth Ogwen in Dyffryn Ogwen, Cyd Ynni in Dyffryn Peris, Siop Griffiths in Dyffryn Nantlle,
Cwmni Bro in Bro Ffestiniog, and Ynni Llŷn in Pen Llŷn.
All organisations that are grounded and rooted in their communities, delivering for the people of the area.
GwyrddNi’s aim is to inspire and support climate action across Gwynedd, but in order to ensure longterm, sustainable change, a good deal of discussion, communities, can take climate action in each specific local
area.”
Over 22,000 invites were sent out across Dyffryn Ogwen, Dyffryn Nantlle, Dyffryn Peris, Pen Llŷn and Bro Ffestiniog,
thought and planning must happen first. So how do
you bring together entire communities to have one big conversation? “We wanted to host and facilitate a neutral space, where anyone – whatever their ideas about climate change – could come and talk about it with others from the area,” explains Grant Peisley, GwyrddNi’s director. “After a lot of research we decided to go for Community Assemblies on the Climate. They’re similar to a Citizen’s Jury or Citizens Assembly which have been used elsewhere, but what we are doing differently is, rather than preparing or reviewing climate policies for local or national government, the aim of the GwyrddNi assemblies is to create a local Action Plan. This will include a host of ideas on how we together, as
Bro Ffestiniog Assembly - talk on biodiversity
Group discussion
NOW THAT WE’VE GOT THIS FIRM FOUNDATION WE’LL BE MOVING INTO THE NEXT PHASE TO GENERATE CLIMATE ACTION PROJECTS AND IDEAS
inviting residents to express an interest in joining the assembly, with information about the expected commitment, and payment at the end as acknowledgement of their time and dedication. Applications flooded in and representatives
from across the communities were selected. A series of four assemblies will be held in each area, with the process already half way, and set to be completed by the end of next spring.
“In the first assemblies we’ve taken time to look at what
assets, projects and resources already exist locally,” explains Nina Bentley, GwyrddNi’s facilitator in Bro Ffestiniog. “We’ve also heard about people’s personal experiences of climate change, and held inspiring sessions to envision the future we would like to see for our community in 10, 20 and 30 years time, before we co-create the map that will get us there.”
The assembly members in all areas have also heard from a raft of speakers, from other community-led organisations such as the Bude Climate Partnership in Cornwall, to local experts on biodiversity, climate change scientists, local foodgrowing initiatives and community owned energy ventures.
Eluned from the Dyffryn Ogwen Assembly
“Coming to this assembly has changed my life a little bit. I’ve started getting a veg box delivered to my house and I feel like I’m being healthier and doing something that’s better for the planet too.”
Gwenno from the Dyffryn Peris Assembly
“I feel like a lot of ideas are starting to emerge and are surfacing together. I feel quite excited and full of hope. It’s really nice as someone who has moved into the area, it’s nice to make deeper connections and really get to know people.”
and economic development sector for over a decade. “We’ll be hearing from children and young people who have been taking part in GwyrddNi’s education programme too, and working up and fleshing all of these out together to make
sure they work for everyone and are future-proof. We’re seeing a mix of big and small ideas starting to come out of the sessions, from renewable energy initiatives, things like seaweed farming and ideas for insulation for old buildings, to repair cafés, local allotments and swap shops.”
There’s so much energy and hope in the assemblies too. As Nina in Bro Ffestiniog concludes: “It’s going to be so exciting to see these action plans come to life very soon. I can’t wait!” n
“Now that we’ve got this firm foundation we’ll be moving into
the next phase to generate climate action projects and ideas,” continues Grant, who has been working in the community
Want to know more? Head over to www.gwyrddni.cymru for more information, or visit www.bit.ly/AddewidGwyrddNiPledge to sign the pledge to receive the final Action Plans. The more people who stand ready to support a sustainable future for the communities of north Wales, the more likely it is to happen.
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