In-Situ, based in Nelson, is set to receive £429,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to kick off the next phase of the Climate Lab Pendle program. This initiative will unfold over the next four years, from 2026 to 2029.
The Climate Lab Pendle initiative is about more than just climate change. It aims to address local issues like inequality and community tension through innovative and creative approaches. These methods will engage residents in meaningful ways.
To guide the program, a Community Collective will form, building on prior efforts from In-Situ, including the This Is Nelson project.
Tom Deakon from Catalista, a collaborator in the project, expressed the urgency of this work. “We are in a time of intersecting crises,” he noted, highlighting the growing inequality and societal divisions exacerbated by climate change. The aim is to create a space for constructive dialogue and shared decision-making, helping communities to envision and create a healthier future.
Early steps will involve setting up the Community Collective and establishing its guiding principles. The project will utilize tools like Climate Fresks, which makes climate science engaging and relatable, and Talkaokes, a pop-up talk show format that promotes open discussion.
This project also intends to combat misinformation surrounding climate change, offering spaces for honest conversations about its impacts. Notably, this will be the first time In-Situ’s flat leadership model incorporates community input into the program’s direction.
Community members participating in the program will receive funding to support their roles. Thanks to the National Lottery players, this impactful project can now move forward.
For further information, you can visit In-Situ’s website.
Additional Insights
Recent studies show that community engagement is crucial for effective climate action. A Pew Research Center survey found that 67% of Americans believe local efforts are essential in the fight against climate change. This aligns with the Climate Lab Pendle’s focus on local issues and engagement.
As climate change discussions become more prevalent on social media, hashtags like #ClimateAction and #CommunityEngagement are trending. These conversations highlight the importance of local initiatives in addressing global issues.
By focusing on community-driven solutions, Climate Lab Pendle could serve as a model for similar projects in other regions, showcasing the power of collective action in tackling pressing global challenges.
