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Climate Change

WIs forge links with Climate Change Champions

Members of Treforgan WI with climate change champion Anna Surridge
During December 2009 WIs teamed-up with Wales’ six Climate Change Champions to urge people to knit a winter warmer and save cash and carbon emissions.

The Climate Change Champions are teenagers appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government following a competition to find six young people who can use their influence to persuade their friends, families and communities to do their bit to help Wales reduce its carbon footprint. 

Members of Llantwit Major WI with climate change champion Charlie Young
The WIs who met with their local Climate Change Champion were Pwhelli WI, Treforgan WI, Llantwit Major WI, Penderyn WI, Grosvenor WI and Ystalyfera WI.

Welsh Assembly Government proposals for a charge on single use carrier bags
During summer 2009, the WI carried out a survey relating to the consultation by the Welsh Assembly Government into its proposals to introduce a charge in single use carrier bags. The survey was completed by 510 individuals comprising of WI members and non-members. Eighty-four per cent of respondents were in favour of the introduction of a charge. Download our full response from the link on the right.

Plastic carrier bag free day in Pontypridd

In December 2008 Pontypridd WI organised a plastic carrier bag free day with support from other local groups in the area and Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council. WI members were out and about on the streets of Pontypridd Town on the day, informing the general public of the need to take responsibility for their actions and exchanging single use plastic bags for reusable bags.

Stop Climate Chaos Cymru

NFWI-Wales is a member of Stop Climate Chaos (SCC) Cymru, a coalition of civil society organisations which is working to mobilise public concern, and through this the necessary political action, to stop climate chaos.

SCC Cymru is developing a volunteer speakers’ network to cascade information to local groups about climate change. A training day will be held in Cardiff on Saturday, 3 October 2009. This highly acclaimed one-day course, run by an experienced facilitator from COIN, will give you the skills, ideas and confidence to persuade others to act on climate change. The course is free but booking is essential. To register, please telephone Kate Meakin on 0300 200 1269 or email kate@stopclimatechaos.org

‘Any Questions’ debate on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Climate Change debate
Over thirty individuals were present at the debate organised jointly by us and Cynnal Cymru and hosted by the Environment Agency Wales on the Royal Welsh Showground on 21 July 2008.

The panel, chaired by Marylyn Haines Evans, comprised of Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing; Helen Northmore, Head of the Energy Savings Trust in Wales; Helen Nelson, Executive Director of Cynnal Cymru and Dr Paul Leinster, Acting Chief Executive of Environment Agency.
A broad range of questions were asked during the debate, ranging from energy conservation and biofuels to local food supply, sustainable communities and transport.