More than 30 exhibitors will come together in Lerwick next month as the Shetland Climate Festival returns with a day of practical ideas, workshops, local food, poetry and activities for families.
Now in its fourth year, the free festival will take place at Clickimin Bowls Hall on Saturday 5 September from 10am until 4pm, following an event which attracted around 400 people last year.
This year’s programme has been built around four themes, exploring what climate change means from a Shetland perspective, what people can do within their communities and homes, and the business and employment opportunities emerging from change.
Among those taking part will be Police Scotland, RSPB, NHS Shetland, Shetland Amenity Trust, COPE, Nordri, Malakoff and Scottish Sea Farms.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to speak directly with Shetland Islands Council staff about work taking place around climate change, energy use and biodiversity.
A repair cafe will form part of the programme, while Home Energy Scotland will hold a question and answer session covering practical subjects including heat pumps, insulation and ways to save energy at home.
Shetland’s food security and its relationship with climate change will be explored during another discussion, while Sandwick Social and Economic Development Company will lead a workshop looking at community energy options.
A new Performance Zone will add food and culture to the day, with husband and wife Akshay Jamwal and Osla Jamwal Fraser giving a cookery demonstration celebrating local produce and showing how shorter food journeys can make a difference.
Award winning Shetland based poets Siùn Carden, Peter Ratter and Jen Hadfield will also share work inspired by the islands’ landscape, nature and environment.
Younger islanders will have their own contribution through the second School Climate Roadshows event, with primary five to seven pupils from across Shetland creating climate promise trees that will be displayed during the festival.
There will also be crafts, games and activities for bairns throughout the day, giving families plenty to explore alongside the talks and exhibitions.
Anne Maver, Senior Climate Change Officer with the Council’s Climate Change Strategy Team, said:
“The Shetland Climate Festival is a brilliant way of sharing all the great work happening here, both raising awareness around climate change and taking climate action.
“We feel this a really varied programme and we’re grateful to all the exhibitors taking part.
“We really hope people can come away with lots of information and ideas and there will be lots of crafts, games and fun for bairns too.”
With everything from repairing and cooking to poetry, energy and community projects on the programme, the festival offers Shetlanders a chance to explore climate change through the practical decisions and ideas that can make a difference closer to home.
