What creatives say they need to respond to the climate emergency in Plymouth
Image by Elena Mozhvilo via Unsplash
Everyone is on their own unique journey in response to the climate and ecological emergencies.
Our preparedness to meet the greatest challenge of our times depends hugely on privilege, education, money, resources, community, time, awareness, ages, values, aspirations and energy to name just a few aspects that contribute to our readiness.
If we’re going to generalise, we could say that everyone is journeying in the dark and facing huge barriers to bringing about the changes that are needed. Even those who are experts have incomplete knowledge, dissimilar approaches, wildly varying perspectives and assumptions, and don’t necessarily the same view of what could or should happen.
Deciding that you want to respond to the climate and ecological emergency isn’t easy. The arena is highly charged. Emotions rise quickly. The challenges to the systems we live in seem insurmountable. Knowing what to do, how to do it, getting agreement and satisfying those who would judge you feel overwhelmingly tricky.
What is clear is that we need to talk about it all more, within our homes, our groups, our businesses, and we need each other’s support to do what needs to be done.
Plymouth Culture and The Art and Energy Collective brought together 76 creatives in the city who wanted to participate in creative climate conversations.
These creatives ranged from students through to emergent and established practitioners as well as people working in a variety of roles in cultural establishments including directors and CEOs.
Here is a list of things that these groups say that they need:
Practical information and guidance to take home - What others are doing and what works, what resources are out there, materials, travel, venue management, how our energy and power systems work
Opportunities for experimentation and play - New models, better use of resources, including time - what could we try together?
Nurturing networks - New and existing connections with other creatives and culture sector groups
Introductions and advocacy to non-culture sector organisations and groups
Knowledge and idea sharing - Debate and conversation to support learning and growth to develop sustainable practices
A greater understanding of what is unique about how creatives can support the climate response - Ecoanxiety, imagination, behaviour change, how to live well and the grace to face what is ahead of us
Insight into the challenges and opportunities in our city and an understanding of what the city might need from us
Inspiration - Sharing good news stories - Someone to help tell positive climate and culture sector stories
An opportunity to collaborate, input, support and get involved with a creative climate scene to drive positive change
Enjoyable things to do, take away, and share with others
Hope - Motivation, encouragement, support and positive energy to help us take the next step
Creative enjoyment - Rest and recovery - Learning through creativity
Time to explore these issues individually and with our communities and teams
A platform to showcase what we’re doing and celebrate what we’ve done and find out about interesting projects
It’s worth noting that in the main, participants in these conversations were already interested in responding to the climate emergency. It is also notable that the subject of money didn’t come up at this initial stage.
There are a significant number of creatives in the city who might be interested in the topic, but didn’t have the capacity or resource to attend.
In addition, there are others who may not be aware yet of their potential role and capacity to influence society and others who may not see climate as part of their job and are still working in service to the system that causes climate change.
Is there anything you need to help you respond to the climate emergency?
If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below or email hello@artandenergy.org and we’ll add your comments.