This month (June 10 – 18) Greener Footprints Week will be bringing people together across the country to celebrate community action and to be part of conversations about how we can address the climate and nature emergencies.
Part of Big Green Week – the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature – Herefordshire’s Greener Footprints Week offers something for everyone, from open days and nature walks to business networking events and school art competitions. The public can join in at a screening of the inspiring film documentary Plastic Warriors at the Courtyard or make their own online Greener Footprints Week pledge and be in with a chance to win a new bike.
“When we read about climate change, and when we see the impact it’s now having, the problems can feel overwhelming,” says James Marsden, the chair of the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership which launched the Greener Footprints Campaign last year.
“But we know – research is telling us – that when we work together, our combined small steps can make a real difference. Even one life shift to nudge the system, like moving to green energy, switching to an EV or better still travelling by public transport, insulating your home or business, or buying from green businesses – can play such an important part,” says James. “One pledge to upcycle, recycle, drive less, walk more…. they all galvanise change.
“We wanted to launch this special celebratory awareness week to shine a spotlight on how everyone can make a difference and to start conversations that inspire action.”
The week has created space for these conversations (days in nature, an evening at The Courtyard, community activities, networking events) and the campaign encourages people to make their own personal pledge for change via an online sign up. When they do, they’ll be adding to the thousands of commitments made by people across Herefordshire since the campaign launched last year.
Anyone making a pledge during Greener Footprints Week will be in with a chance to win a new bike.
Businesses have given the Greener Footprints campaign real momentum, says James, who will be hosting, with the Board, a special networking breakfast at The Courtyard during the week for the campaign’s 30 for 2030 ambassadors and the growing group of members of the new Greener Footprints business network.
These 30 cross-sector Herefordshire-based companies – joined by the 30th member, Hereford Football Club, last month – come together across the year with members of the wider business network to share best practice, learn more (this week a climate literacy webinar is on the menu) and make positive changes in their own way of working. During this special week Greener Footprints are launching a Green Business Champion of the Year and Green Team of the Year awards for and with these 30 ambassadors and the campaign’s business network. They’ve been created in recognition of employees in the region who are making a difference to customers, colleagues, and the community with their climate actions.
To find out what’s on during the week visit www.greenerfootprints.co.uk.