Notes from SOW meeting on 29th May 2024. 7 people present.

What stood out from the talk last time?

The statistics that more people are concerned about climate change than many of us thought. And that to have effective conversations with people about it, you have to listen, find common ground and have empathy.

Some highlights from her tips:

• People more likely to contribute to public good if they see that others are doing the same – let people know that most people care about climate change
• Trust that others are already concerned and taking action.
• Listen & show empathy
• Help people realise their next step
• Ask people what they are already doing for nature.
• Encourage people to consider climate change when they vote.
• Avoid doom & gloom, preaching, over-information, talking of radical action & hardship
• Know & connect with what matters to people (eg nature, avoid waste)
• Connect it to everyday life (weather, garden, grandchildren)

How can we use that at the Village Day stall and elsewhere?

The ideas we homed in on were:

• Have some general info about SOW
• Display the statistics (75% etc – also only 16% of the population need to get behind something to lead to policy change)
• On a separate board (Kate may be able to borrow from school) have little pieces of paper with things that people can do for the environment, and have people put coloured sticky dots beside the ones they already do and (a different colour) something they plan to or want to do. And have blank bits of paper for them to add their own actions. The idea being to show by a cloud of dots that lots of people are acting.
• On a table or the grass, have a craft/activity for kids – we had a few ideas but Lucy is going to ask the Eco Club
• Use all this to encourage people to stop and talk. Have a list of pointers to remind ourselves for these conversations
• Also have a list/photos of species seen around Oakington (hopefully for the Pollination Festival the week before too)
• Sign up sheet for people willing/interested in having Kate’s camera trap in their garden overnight
• Maybe get a durable beach flag to identify SOW/signpost to events. Expensive – could we all chip in?
• Continue to plan via WhatsApp

Encouraging people to consider the climate when voting – Laura told us about the Greenpeace Project Climate Vote.

Other Things

Laura is running a stall at Strawberry Fair this weekend (1st June) for Parents for Future – if you’re going to the Fair, stop by and say hello.

On 22nd June, there is a Restore Nature Now march in London. There are coaches going from Cambridge.

The Plant Swap went well, engaged a lot of people and also raised £150 for Cambridge4Ukraine. SOW and EAG are having a stall at the Pollination Festival, Garden Centre 22nd June, focussing on Nature Recovery. Cambridge Nature Festival is continuing.

The next SOW meeting is on Wed 26th June: a talk by Lou on “Composing for Sustainability and Wildlife” followedby a visit to her nearby garden. Don’t miss it!

The following SOW meeting is on 31st July. Thinking of doing something outside, maybe a nature walk through the village.