Shetland folk urged to join day of action against climate change

Shetland residents are being invited to join an international day of action to fight climate change.

All across the globe people are carrying out practical steps to reduce carbon emissions and Shetlanders can join in with seed sowing, peatland walks and bike maintenance classes.

Over 5,200 events were arranged last year across 181 countries to raise awareness of climate change, and this year they hope to make an even bigger impact. The theme is “Let’s get to work” with people planning practical actions to show world leaders they are committed to tackling climate change.

Shetland Amenity Trust carbon reduction officer Harriet Bolt said: “Last year’s event was the biggest environmental action day in history, and with more than 7,000 events in 183 different countries planned for this year, that record has already been beaten.

“It’s great to be a part of something operating at such a global as well as a local scale and we’re inviting as many Shetlanders as possible to join in.”

On Sunday local naturalist Jonathan Swale will be leading a family walk around the Black Gaet to highlight the importance of peat bogs as a carbon sink and wildlife habitat.

All are welcome and the walk will begin at 2.30pm from the clay shooting range car park and will last approximately two hours. The event is free, but booking is required. Call Ms Bolt on (01595) 694688 for further information or to book.

Low carbon travel is also being tackled and the Shetland Community Bike Project will be holding free bike maintenance courses to help people get back in the saddle.

The first course will take place on Tuesday from 7m to 9pm at the project headquarters on Commercial Road, Lerwick. To book or enquire about other dates call Caroline Adamson on (01595) 690077 or at www.shetlandbikeproject@ukfsn.org

Pupils from Bressay and Sound Primary Schools will join Carbon Reduction Shetland and Shetland Amenity Trust’s woodlands section to learn about climate change and the role of trees in carbon reduction.

On Thursday and Friday the children will plant seeds which will be grown on and added to the community woodland at Clickimin Loch. This was originally created as a carbon capture project.

Ms Bolt said: “Around the world everything from tree planting, solar panel installations and even low carbon weddings are being planned. We hope that Shetlanders will be inspired to get involved and join us on one of our activities.”