FLOODING due to climate change could have a serious impact on people’s daily lives in Inverclyde in the future, a campaigner has warned – but locals can do their part to tackle the problem now.
The Inverclyde Climate Action Network (ICAN) was set up in 2023 and aims to support community climate action.
The ever-growing project has 50 members across 28 local organisations and has been sharing the impact that climate change can and will have on the everyday lives of people in Inverclyde and beyond.
The initiative is led by climate action officer Sabrina Sigler, who has been spearheading its work since August.
When the Telegraph visited a recent ICAN session to see their work, Sabrina told us that the impact of climate change could be seen right now.
Sabrina and Grace of Inverclyde Climate Action Network (Image: George Munro)
She said: “The cost of electricity, the cost of food, cost of living crisis, energy bills.
“We have felt it here in Inverclyde – climate change is at the centre of a lot of these issues.”
The project is funded by the Scottish Government but is supported and hosted by Inverclyde Community Development Trust and based in 7/2 John Wood Street.
Working alongside Sabrina is climate active assistant Grace Philips.
Together the pair lead network meetings every two months and ask members to feed in their ideas for what ICAN should do.
The team have worked with community gardens to hold events and also run craft-based classes for the community.
For more information about the project visit https://www.inverclydeclimateaction.net/.
Getting the message across in Inverclyde with mascot Luna (Image: George Munro)
Grace said: “The project ties in with a lot of the Trust’s values in supporting people in the community and is aware that local people are struggling with a lot of these issues.
“We carry out outreach and development work.”
Sabrina was keen to stress her belief that climate change is not something that should be viewed as detached from people’s everyday lives but is instead something that sits at the core of everything going on in the world.
She added that the big risk for Inverclyde as weather becomes warmer and wetter is flooding and said this could have a serious impact on transport and local people’s daily lives.
Among the initiatives the team are currently working on is a project called ‘Future Inverclyde’ which is aimed at young people.
Sabrina said: “It’s about imagining how Inverclyde could be in the future and what changes people would like to make to make it a better place.
“We’ll be running a series of workshops we also hope to go out to visit schools and youth groups.”
The network has also given financial support to nine different climate-related projects to help raise awareness.
These donations include giving Inverclyde Community Food Network financial support to help them develop a pilot scheme to distribute surplus food from supermarkets and community gardens.
ICAN has also supported RIG Arts in running craft workshops using a variety of materials and have lent a hand in creating a wildflower garden at Kilmacolm Primary.
Asked about those who would say climate change does not affect them, Sabrina said: “I would ask them what is important to them?
“Climate change has an impact on your bills, your workplace, if you find a job.”
Grace said: “It is all about doing our bit to adapt, make small changes and to make sure future generations have a planet to live on.”