We’re looking forward to activity with other organisations from across the country as part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. We’ve joined this coalition with over 70 organisations to campaign together for climate action and justice.
Read more about SCCS here.
It’s important to work together and act on climate change, and WLCAN Hub is committed to developing positive relationships that achieve meaningful outcomes.
It was great to hold our first energy drop in session this week and the next one is in Whitburn on Monday 2 December, with two sessions – 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm at Whitburn Community Education Centre. We’re visiting communities across the region over winter to deliver advice on how to save money on energy and heating bills, and install insulation and draught-proofing. We’re also running climate action workshops to promote understanding of the links between energy use and climate change. We’ll publicise all these events on social media, website and newsletters as well as in communities.
We’re visiting communities across the region over winter to deliver advice on how to save money on energy and heating bills, and install insulation and draught-proofing. Some events are drop-ins at community venues. There will also be online advice sessions with energy experts. We’re also running climate action workshops to promote understanding of the links between energy use and climate change. We’ll publicise all these events on social media, website and newsletters as well as in communities. The next drop-in is on Friday 29 November, 10am-1pm at Fauldhouse Hub, Main Street, Fauldhouse.
We have orchard trees available for planting now. These were bought using some of our first Eco Development Fund and are available for members. The application link can be found here. Deadline is this Sunday, 27 October.
Any community groups or organisations not already a member can join WLCAN easily and quickly, the form is here.
West Lothian Water Confluence, hosted with River Almond Action Group, provided a close focus on pollution, contamination and the causes of flooding. Many thanks to those from the spheres of environmental science, angling, community action groups and citizens who attended, along with Bathgate and Linlithgow’s MP Kirsteen Sullivan, and to River Almond Action Group – RAAG for organising the event in Linlithgow on 28 September. Our report is ready to take forward – and to – relevant bodies. The pollution of waterways and sources simply must be addressed, and urgently.
Participants voted for three key actions: to create a vision for clean water in Scotland; better regulation and enforcement; to achieve accountability. The conference and outcomes are detailed in the report, which is available here.
In addition, the report for the Bathgate Summit on Climate earlier in September is available here. This is the summary report, for the fuller one please email [email protected]
Residents and community groups in Bathgate attended a summit to help formulate an action plan for climate change locally. The event took place at Boghall Church Hall on Tuesday, 3 September, where some of Bathgate’s people decided the climate priorities for the town. WLCAN will use the action template for other locations across the region to formulate plans tailored to each area. The short summary report is available here. For the full report please email [email protected]. Keep an eye on our news section and social media for where we’re heading next – or if you would like your town or village to host us to hear residents’ climate concerns, get in touch.
WLCAN is also helping to gather stories to map evidence that shows the impact of climate related events on communities. We’re collaborating in Climate Ready South East Scotland with the charity Sniffer and five other climate action hubs. Stories are being collected onto a national map – you can add yours here: Climate map.
Can you come up with a project that takes local action for the good of the planet? We’re launching our second Eco Development Fund, aimed at grassroots organisations whose activities help to address climate change in their local area. You must be a member of WLCAN to apply. To join, scan the first QR code to complete the form. The second QR code will open another document containing guidance notes and application form. Deadline for submissions is 29 September at 5pm.
Last year we distributed funding to 17 organisations across West Lothian whose efforts are what local climate action is all about. Examples include community woods volunteers who are improving biodiversity, gardeners who are contributing to local produce and helping to reduce food miles, and repair/reuse workshops whose efforts are reducing waste and promoting the circular economy. Volunteers working to conserve water and promote cleaner rivers also benefited from the fund, as did groups working for their community’s environment and well-being. See the full list of those who received funding and highlights so far of their work here.
Our first themed event took place on Monday 24 June, at West Lothian College. We were delighted to welcome 33 organisations connecting 56 participants for a day of discussion and workshops about the impact of climate on food growing and supply. Presentations came from the charity Sniffer, the Craigshill partnership Growing Together, Nourish Scotland and the biodiversity specialists from West Lothian Council. These covered how best to address food inequality, health, poverty, and the future of food supply nationally and globally as climate change impacts crops. Save the date for our next event on the theme of Water, on 28 September at Low Port Centre Linlithgow.
Interested in climate education workshops? We have materials to deliver sessions for younger children, and we can offer Climate Fresk workshops.
Fresk is a collaborative workshop designed to teach the fundamentals of climate change and empower you to take action. The name Fresk is from fresco as the participants work together to arrange 42 specially designed cards in a fresco which explains the causes and effects of climate change and empowers you to take action.
The session lasts 3 hours and can be for 6-20 participants. Adult and child versions are available.
We can provide these sessions for free to hub members (staff, trustees and volunteers) around West Lothian. If there is a space suitable we can deliver this at your venue, or you can join with one hosted by another organisation. If you are interested in getting this for your community please get in touch [email protected]
You can learn more about this here:
What a busy morning yesterday meeting over 160 S1-3 pupils at St Margaret’s Academy, Livingston!
This was part of DYW West – Developing the Young Workforce “Career Speed Dating” event with various employers, including ourselves at WLCAN Hub.
With quickfire sessions involving nearly 30 groups across the 3 year groups, we talked about the dozens of jobs that support our growing ‘climate industry’ from scientists to installers; IT specialists to development workers!
We talked about skills, pupils’ own career interests, qualifications, what climate means to them, briefly introduced them to and used items from our Climate Education Kit to stimulate discussion and more.
It was great to hear from some budding young social/environmental entrepreneurs already formulating ideas for reusing and selling on refurbished gadgets, others interested in nature and science, and those who wanted to be trades people doing apprenticeships at college or go onto to study at university.
What a memorable morning!
We are going back to deliver a young Climate Fresk workshop to 20 or so pupils involved in the school’s Climate 1.5 Max Real World Climate Education group. Watch this space . . . 
If any schools or other groups are interested in climate or climate action related training, please get in touch as we have several options for different audiences. Or we can tailor this to your needs.
