Chris Packham supports first Dorset climate summit

Three of Dorset’s leading climate action groups have come together to organise a unique event to combat the threats posed by climate change and ecological collapse.

Zero Carbon Dorset, Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN) and Sustainable Dorset have joined forces to launch the first community-led Dorset COP on Saturday, September 9 at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester.

From left to right Neil Smith and Mark Chivers of Zero Carbon Dorset, Jenny Morisetti of Sustainable Dorset and Giles Watts of Dorset Climate Action Network at a pre-meeting at Dorchester Corn Exchange (Image: Warrior Agency))

Springwatch presenter, Chris Packham, in a special recording for the event, hailed it as a “brilliant idea”.

He said: "All of the practice and practical work [to tackle the climate crisis] will have to be done by communities and individuals and the community of Dorset is a great place to start some of that work."

Laura Baldwin, environmental campaigner and former Olympian, who will open the conference said: “This event is not only ground-breaking but also of huge importance - not just for Dorset but for community activists everywhere. That’s why it hopes to attract people and organisations from right across the county.”

Giles Watts, a coordinator with Dorset Climate Action Network said: “This ground-breaking, community-led event is an attempt to apply the power of the international COPs to local issues and to galvanise Dorset into faster action to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.”

The event hopes to attract people and organisations from all over Dorset and will close with a powerful declaration of intent to mirror those issued at the international COPs.

The ‘Dorchester Declaration’ will be a commitment to act, advocate and lobby for action on climate change and the environment across the county.

Chair of Sustainable Dorset, Jenny Morisetti said: “This event, a first in the UK we believe, will be Dorset’s very own opportunity for the community to network and have its say on climate and ecological issues."

Co-founder of Zero Carbon Dorset Mark Chivers commented: “By raising awareness of the urgent need to act locally and demonstrate the depth of community commitment to tackling the crises we aim to secure action from all stakeholders and spur both Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils to take the lead suggested by the Government’s own Climate Change Committee.”