Moorlands Climate Action

MOORLANDS CLIMATE ACTION Busy year for climate change group

Moorlands Climate Action (MCA) has had a busy year. November’s crucial climate meeting in Glasgow has focused people’s minds – but local on-the-ground activity remains at the core of this community group’s mission.

MCA’s Mike Jones said: “Getting the district and the county councils to honour their promises on climate action has been hard. “Much more encouraging has been the range of activities on climate, nature and sustainability we have been able to put on in the Moorlands – and the amazing response.”

In June, MCA organised the HUG Green Arts Festival at the Foxlowe Centre, featuring a wide range of local artists and organisations such as the Woodland Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Friends of the Earth.

In October, MCA organised a Big Green Week festival centred around the arrival of walkers marching to the Glasgow Summit. Local churches provided accommodation for the walkers.

Getting out into communities wishing to know more about action on climate is crucial. MCA has given talks to parish councils including Biddulph, Checkley and Draycott-in-the Moors. The group also runs a regular stall at Leek Market and has taken part in markets at Biddulph and Cheadle.

MCA’s Alana Wheat said: “A lot of good things are happening out there, but community groups are struggling to get their voices heard. There needs to be the same level of engagement from public organisations.”

Among the many other activities MCA members have been busy with this year are tree and sphagnum moss planting, youth activity packs for schools, a water bottle refill scheme, advising on new planting at the bottom of Russell Street, better management of verges on the Macclesfield Road and biodiversity site investigations around Leek.

MCA also instigated a now-quarterly meeting between the Chair and Board Members of Peak District National Park and climate groups from Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

In February next year, MCA is organising an Energy Fair at the Foxlowe Centre, bringing together companies and organisations involved in renewable energy and low carbon housing retrofitting.

To keep up to date with MCA, go online to: www.facebook.com/StaffsMoorlandsClimateA ction.