‘Sleepwalking into Climate Change?” is a series of three short films which are largely filmed in Porthcawl (Bridgend Borough).
Available to view now on our YouTube channel
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The three films cover different aspects of the current issues:
Conversations. Ep. 1
We meet Local Sustainable Development Coordinator, a climate graduate, Ella Williamson; Porthcawl undergraduates (Max Willams and Olivia Geddes) who are also studying climate.
You see them interview people in the street and then Ella takes the lead asking scientists about their concerns. (NRW Geoff Hobbs and Dr Peter Robins, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University).
Working Together. Ep. 2.
Ella involves young people from Porthcawl Comprehensive school,
Amba, Ella and Will and they begin questioning local politicians:
Porthcawl town councillor Jonathan Pratt and Bridgend MS, Sarah Murphy.
Ella then meets Bridgend County Borough Council leader Cllr Huw David to see what he has to say. A brief explanation of PSB’s (Public Service Boards) and their importance to the Well-being of Future Generations Act in Wales is highlighted.
Bridgend-born Gareth Clubb, the Director of WWF Cymru, poses significant questions about how we are not dealing with climate change now and how we should respond. National Resources Wales’ Geoff Hobbs adds further comment. Ella stresses importance of more partnerships and good communications.
Positive Action. Ep. 3.
This film shows Ella finding some local good practice, illustrating that there are some positive developments, as she looks for answers to how we must react.
Gareth Clubb WWF states that politically there is insufficient attention paid to climate and nature crises.
The undergraduates ask for more government action recognizing some change is happening within their community.
The leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Huw David, summaries some good initiatives in the Borough and how we need everyone to act now.
Geoff Dower, owner of the Hi Tide, Porthcawl outlines the benefits of the Photo Voltaics he has installed on the Hi Tide arcade.
Martyn Popham, from Cenin Renewables outlines the business at Stormy Down, Porthcawl and tells us that 90% of renewable energy from this site flows down into Porthcawl. (Couldn’t we highlight the fact that Porthcawl runs on renewable energy?)
Leanne Wood, a former politician, Co-Director, Community Energy Wales, advances the importance of more locally-produced energy for local people.
She also recommends that we stop waiting for politicians to act and that we create the changes in our own communities now and build pressure from the bottom up.
Members of North Wales Gwyrddni Community Climate Action tell us how they established a Citizen’s Assembly.
What actions can we as a community make to tackle the climate crisis and build community resilience? Do you think the Citizen’s Assembly model could work here?
Gareth Clubb, WWF, Max, Olivia and Ella all call for action together now.
This series of films is produced by charity Sustainable Wales and film company Mud & Thunder. It is financed by ‘Warm This Winter UK’, the ‘Postcode Lottery’ and Sustainable Wales and we are grateful for their and Climate Cymru’s support.