Environment

• What practical solutions are there for looking after the environment?

There was a clearly a good overall basic grasp of the issues around climate change and plastic pollution. There was a focus on global/general challenges and a greater emphasis on local solutions.

Participants had a lot of creative ideas about how both topics could be addressed and things that they could do in their own lives and communities.

Some of the solution themes included an emphasis on reuse, recycle and reduce waste. This included a significant number of people suggesting that recycling and composting facilities be more accessible comments included:

‘Make more stuff out of reusable thing’ ‘More grand scale inventive recycling’ ‘Change plastic stuff into reusable stuff’. ‘Repair everything.’ ‘Zero waste policies.’ ‘On-street recycling and composting bins.’

Transport and renewable energy were also popular themes:

‘Get rid of some transport, so not using as much fuel, petrol, diesel, gas. …. Like walk, run, bike, scooter.’

‘Make more electric cars, walk more.’ ‘Use water, wind and sun not oil, coal and gas.’ ‘Use renewable energy such as solar, wave and wind.’

Other themes included the reduction of meat consumption and generally using less energy, turning things off.

Other comments included: ‘System thinking – domino effect - …. As humans, everything we do effects all other ecosystems’ and ‘Clean up after yourself’.

• How do we spread the word about how to help?

Broadly participants felt that education was key to answering this question. Many felt that more community conversations and events like this one where important while other emphasised engagement within schools and through specific skills workshops.

Recycling arts projects were a very popular way of engaging people:

‘Making art with recycled materials to spread the word’, ‘Make more practical events on how to look after the environment e.g. workshops in schools across the Lancaster District.’ ‘Music, drama, theatre and comedy on environment.’ ‘Workshops, create your own tote bag or water bottle.’

Others emphasised the use of social media and conventional advertising and marketing:

‘Use Tik Tock and Instagram’ ‘Make environment themed TV programmes.’ Advertise more, Kids TV’