The new climate change project is moving forward after funding of £20,000 was allocated through the Northern Ireland Museums Council's Museums Challenge: Climate Change Grant.
The funding will be used to support a range of environmental initiatives promoting public awareness of environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The Museum project will record local experiences and perspectives of Climate Change in the Derry and Strabane area, as well as facilitate conversations and learning focusing on the issue. It aims to both educate and encourage behavioural change in keeping with the objectives of Council's wider Climate Adaptation Plan.
Chair of the Business and Culture Committee, Councillor Conor Heaney said: "I am delighted that the Tower Museum's submission for this project was successful. It's a great opportunity to capture local accounts, and raise awareness of this major global issue in a local context.
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"Many of us have sadly been affected by the devastating effects of flooding and other climate impacts. This project will tell those stories but also focus on the positive action that we need to take to mitigate against the climate emergency.
"This is just one of a range of initiatives being rolled out by Council as part of its Climate Adaptation Plan. It's great to see a cross-departmental approach to addressing these problem, and that Council is continuing with a proactive campaign of action to raise awareness and change attitudes to the environment."
The project will create an online museum digital repository of climate stories and solutions, and create a special exhibition titled 'Climate Change – The People's Story', showcasing local climate stories and solutions. Through facilitated workshops people will be invited to share their experiences of climate change, focusing on themes including flooding, landscape/agricultural change, food, heritage and culture. Young people will also be encouraged to record their perspectives and concerns around the issue, and to explore solutions for a resilient and net zero future.
The project will also deliver Carbon Literacy training to the local heritage and museum sector to increase capacity for climate action. The programme will seek to empower and equip these organisations, promoting better climate awareness and highlighting the risks to the sector as well as opportunities to conserve and protect collections and assets.
Work has already begun on the project which will be delivered by March 2022.
