Skye Climate Action Climate Fèis
2021-08-01 - 2021-08-31
Skye Climate Action’s CLIMATE FÈIS is a Community Climate Festival for Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh throughout the month of August 2021. It is a Fringe Festival to the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26).
The festival showcases the creative activities Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh are doing in response to the challenges of climate change and the need to reduce our carbon emissions. It is a festival for everyone and individuals and communities have signed up to put on a fantastic range of events including:
Opening ceremony – members of Skye & Lochalsh Faiths Together and Broadford Church of Scotland; Scything event – Heather Beaton & Kyle Community Trust; Climate Champions – Roz Birch & the Selkie Collective; Active Enquiry theatre – Suzanne Dance; Sustainable construction workshop – James Wilson; Hydro electric project – Sleat Community Trust; Open studio – Irene Blair; Online events – The Highland Council Climate team; Artwork – various schools; Food foraging workshops – Glenelg; Litter picking events – Jenny Chapman; and many more.
Visit the Climate Fèis website for more information.

Our Living Landscape: Communities Leading Change
2021-08-18 09:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape (CALL) in the far north west of Scotland is a partnership of community, charity and private landowners and charities working together to improve both the environmental and economic prospects of this very remote part of Scotland.
Over 30 projects have been carried out, included upgrading and creating almost 13km of paths, including routes over the iconic mountains of Quinag and Suilven; nearly 600ha of native woodlands planted and managed; innovative training programmes for deer management and crofters; and an outdoor woodland learning project that has worked with every school in the area.
The conference will showcase what has been achieved in the past years and share experience and knowledge, and provide networking opportunities with other practitioners in the field of landscape-scale conservation
Register here.

Exploring Scotland’s 20-minute neighbourhoods: Designing in the community
2021-08-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Meeting
The 20-minute concept has gained attention internationally and has been developed in cities such as Melbourne, Portland and Paris. The concept looks at having all your basic needs – health and social care, shops, work hubs, places to socialise – met within a 20-minute walk, wheel or cycle from where you live.
The Scottish Government’s 2020-21 Programme for Government announced the ambition of 20- minute neighbourhoods and the concept has gained significant traction since the COVID-19 pandemic with people staying closer to home to access support and services.
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland is holding four events, each with a panel of speakers and breakout rooms.

Exploring Scotland’s 20-minute neighbourhood: Introduction Thu 6th May (13:00 to 14:30pm)
Exploring Scotland’s 20-minute neighbourhood: Getting around and accessing services Thursday 17th June (13:00 to 14:30)
Exploring Scotland’s 20-minute neighbourhood: Social connection, housing and greenspace Thu 15th July (13:00 to 14:30)
Exploring Scotland’s 20-minute neighbourhood: Designing in the community Thu 26th Aug (13:00 to 14:30)

To sign up to the first event, please send an email to event@alliance-scotland.org.uk

How Highland pensions are driving the climate crisis and what we can do about it
2021-08-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Meeting
The Highland Council pension fund invests over £40 million in fossil fuel companies that are fuelling the climate crisis, including BP and mining giant BHP.
The Highland Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, but we need to see it take action to stop funding the climate crisis to back up these words.
On Thursday 26th August at 7pm, join us for an evening of inspiring speakers, films and climate action to learn how Highland pensions can help tackle the climate crisis.
We’ll be joined by guest speakers from both the Highlands and South America who will share how the Highland Council pension fund’s investments directly lead to injustice and pollution for communities around the world.
We’ll also hear about the new Fossil Free Highlands campaign to end these investments and find out how we can call on our councillors, MSPs and pension funds to make the shift to ethical investments and a fossil free future.
There will be a chance to meet other people from across the Highlands and beyond, and to discuss how we can take meaningful climate action together in the run up to the UN climate conference,COP26, which is taking place in Glasgow in November. Everyone is welcome!
The event brings together Friends of the Earth Scotland, Protect Our Winters, the Highland Charter for Responsible Investment, Fridays for Future Highlands and War on Want.
Special guest speakers:

Sebastian Ordonez Munoz, Senior International Programmes Officer (Latin America) at War on Want in London
Lauren MacCallum, General Manager for Protect Our Winters UK, based in Aviemore
Lily Henderson, youth climate striker with Fridays for Future Highlands

Register here

Eco-Anxiety Workshop
2021-08-31 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Meeting
Feeling overwhelmed by the state of our planet? What is Eco-anxiety and why does it arise? Have you or anyone you know felt it lately?
SCCAN has teamed up with Climate Psychology Alliance to deliver a workshop on eco-anxiety and managing emotions. Through shared experience, SCAN hopes to help you understand better why healthy emotion regulation is important and offer some tips around that. They will provide a useful theoretical framework for people to understand how to approach eco-anxiety.
Book here.

Practically Helping Highland Biodiversity
2021-09-08 10:00 - 12:30
Highland Environment Network’s autumn forum on how we measure biodiversity health, and practical work that is happening in the Highlands to benefit nature. With presentations and discussion.

More information and register here.

Scotland Climate Week
2021-09-14 - 2021-09-20 | Virtual Meeting
Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate Week enables organisations and communities to celebrate and showcase what they’re doing to tackle climate change.

Join one of the many Climate Week events taking place online or run your own online event. Or raise awareness among your employees and stakeholders about climate change and its consequences for Scotland and the actions you’ve taken towards tackling climate change. The week also presents an ideal opportunity to encourage positive behaviours within the home, local community, and workplace. There’s a toolkit and materials to support you on the Scottish Government’s new Net Zero Nation website.
Keep Scotland Beautiful’s climate action work:
Climate Emergency Training available for businesses, local authorities, communities and youth workers. KSB’s climate change webpages also have background information about climate change, ways to take climate action and inspiring case studies.
Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, managed by KSB supports projects across Scotland to take action on climate change. Find your local project through the interactive map here and view case studies here.
The Climate Ready Classrooms project prepares young people to join a national network of Carbon Literate ambassadors who plan and act on climate change issues within their own schools and communities. The initiative is supported by the Scottish Government.

Growing food to reduce plastic
2021-09-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual Meeting
A Future Communities Highlands and Islands (FCHI) event run by Skye Climate Action and Planet Sutherland on What can we all grow to reduce what we buy wrapped in plastic.
This will be an open / round table discussion to share and discuss ideas for action as individuals and as community. The session will start with some stories to trigger the conversation:
Why don’t we all grow all of our own lettuce? How about using broad beans and courgette instead of avocado? Have you tried kale crisps etc. (And why bother reducing plastic if it’s recycled anyway?)
You’re welcome to bring your own stories to share.
All welcome but please register with Eventbrite.
Contact anne@skyeclimateaction.org if you have any questions or just join in.

Great British Beach Clean
2021-09-17 - 2021-09-26
Following a year of Covid restrictions, the amount of PPE on beaches is expected to increase dramatically. The huge increase of single-use plastic, designed to keep us safe, has led to a flood of plastic pollution ending up in our rivers and seas.
Join the 2021 Great British Beach Clean. Every piece of rubbish collected means less waste ends up in the ocean. And if you record your litter items using our simple litter survey form you’ll be contributing to an international science project to monitor and reduce marine pollution.
Organise a clean, or sign up for an event near you. Find out more.

Climate Fringe week
2021-09-18 08:00 - 2021-09-26 17:00 | Virtual Meeting
See what’s on during Climate Fringe Week

If you’re a Scotland-based individual, group or organisation, you can take part in Climate Fringe Week to share your events and get more people involved.
If you are thinking of running an event as part of Climate Fringe Week please email Veronica@stopclimatechaos.scot
Add your event to the calendar with the event uploader. If you have any difficulties contact Veronica.
There is a Toolkit for loads of ideas to get started and useful links. You can add the Climate Fringe Week logo to your event to make it look and feel part of the festival, and you can join in monthly information and networking sessions by registering here.

Waste not and repair at Hobbitin
2021-09-21 11:00 - 2021-09-23 15:00 | 9 Torrin, 9 Torrin, Isle of Skye, IV49 9BA
This three-day session is an opportunity to bring along unwanted items that someone else might be interested in making use of, and browsing for those things that you could use. At the same time, if you have something needing repair or you’d like to know if it’s salvageable, then bring along – clothes, tools, electrical, toys, bikes – whatever. People with repair skills will be popping in during the three days and can advise, or even fix. We also want to hear people’s ideas for developing a ‘circular economy’ and building resilience in the community.
The event runs from 11 am – 3 pm each day, at 9 Torrin (look out for the signs).
Contact Becky and Paul for more info at beckyplasticfree@btinternet.com.

Shake up the System: How do we achieve meaningful change in society for a fair climate future
2021-09-21 14:00 - 2021-09-22 17:00 | Virtual Meeting
Shake up the System will be a virtual conference, exploring how behavioural, societal, and cultural changes can link to achieve meaningful systems change in the UK to address the climate crisis and develop a fairer society. The conference will bring together learning and experience from across sectors – identifying common barriers and enablers to help all actors move forward in their work.
With a diverse set of speakers, and an interactive format, participants will be encouraged to share ideas and examples from their own work and collaborate with other participants from across sectors to problem solve and work together to identify actions for enabling change.
The conference runs for two days: 21-22 September 2021, 2:00 – 5:00pm

Register here.

CARES Conference 2021: Community action to net zero
2021-09-29 09:15 - 16:00 | Virtual Meeting
CARES* annual conference will highlight what communities have been doing to tackle the climate crisis through their involvement in renewable energy projects and how these are benefitting their local communities.
They’ll be looking at how your community can transition to net zero with the support of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). They’ll also be joined by Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport.
The event will be on Microsoft Teams. Click here for the detailed programme, including 8 focus groups in the afternoon.
Book your conference space now. Please remember to book your general conference space, together with your two focus session spaces.
*Local Energy Scotland is a consortium made up of:

Energy Saving Trust
Changeworks
The Energy Agency
SCARF and
The Wise Group.

It administers and manages the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).

Skye Climate Action: Growing towards COP26
2021-09-29 19:30 - 21:00
The next in our series of discussions on food growing.
We’ll hear about non-toxic pest management and aquaponics as a potential crofting diversification enterprise, and also cover tasks for autumn.
There will also be Q+A with discussion about growing in general. Bring your questions and share your successes (and failures?) in this year’s growing.
Contact Anne for the zoom link.

From Inspiration to Practice: Delivering Net Zero through Local Government
2021-09-30 12:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Meeting
In the run up to COP26, Ashden, Centre for Alternative Technology, Aberdeen Climate Action and Climate Emergency UK are holding a free virtual conference showcasing innovative, local government-led net-zero projects from throughout the UK and Europe.
Register here

Scottish Land Commission Conference – Land Connection 2021
2021-10-04 09:30 - 2021-10-06 16:30 | Virtual Meeting
Bringing together experts from across a range of industries including public bodies, local authorities, academia, housing sector, private sector and social enterprises, the conference will look at the role of land in helping to achieve some of Scotland’s big ambitions for the economy, climate and communities.
For more information and to register for the individual sessions, click here.

Highland Good Food Partnership : local food consultation workshop
2021-10-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
The Highland Good Food Partnership’s online local food consultation workshop will gather responses and feed in to the Scottish Government’s recently published Local Food for Everyone consultation. Questions for discussion include

Why is local food important?
What do we want to see from a Local Food plan? – nationally and locally.
How can Scotland grow more of what it eats and eat more of what it grows?
How can a local food plan make the maximum positive impact on our environment and biodiversity?

This workshop is open to absolutely everyone! Come add your voice to the consultation and find out about what is already going on in Highland.
Click here for information and to register.

Zero Waste Scotland: we need to talk about consumption
2021-10-05 09:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Meeting
We need to rethink how we consume in Scotland and around the world. Around four-fifths of Scotland’s footprint comes from the products and materials we manufacture, use, and throw away. In fact, the average Scot consumes 18.4 tonnes of materials every year – that’s the equivalent of 50kg per week on average.
The recent appointment of the first Circular Economy Minister in Scotland provides the opportunity to accelerate circularity and change Scotland for the better.
The discussion sessions include

Bridging the overconsumption and carbon gap
Circular cities and regions
Breaking the consumption habit
Rethinking the food system to reduce food waste
Global supply chains and business models
Turning waste into valuable resources

Register here.

Skye Climate Action: Climate change - the science and COP26 explained
2021-10-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual Meeting
Skye Climate Action invites you to ask the experts!
We are delighted to have Julian Paren and Katie Andrews to speak to us, with plenty time for questions and answers.
Julian is a former climate scientist, and current member of Transition Black Isle. He will explain the scientific basis of climate change (in understandable language) taking into account the latest IPCC report from August this year.
Katie is Climate Coordinator at The Highland Council, and will give an overview of COP26 and local implications.
Q+A will follow.
Contact Anne for the zoom link.

Skye Climate Action: Repair as an antidote to consumerism
2021-10-12 19:30 - 21:00
A meeting to move forward plans for a local Repair Cafe, initially in the Broadford area, but in the hope that it will spread around Skye and Raasay. To stimulate thinking and discussion, we will be joined by Miriam Adcock or colleague from Zero Waste Scotland, speaking on their recently-launched campaign for responsible consumption.
Over recent months, Skye’s repair enthusiasts have had many conversations and a couple of physical meetings. Ideas emerging are that the Repair Cafe would be informal and social, solutions would be worked out together, with teaching and learning of skills. Some items would be retained by the original owner, but some would be made available free or at low cost to the community. The recent ‘Waste Not at Hobbitin’ event showed that exchanging unwanted items can work alongside repair or refurbishment. These ways of re-using items fits into the circular economy and reduces consumption of new resources (and carbon cost).
Just about any items can be considered by the Repair Cafe: clothes, soft furnishings, toys, bikes, shoes, tools, computers, electrical appliances, furniture, household / garden / croft stuff … Bring it along or ask about it and get advice. It might be that there is no-one in the group who can fix it, but we will also keep a list of professional ‘fixers’ and be able to refer on. We don’t wish to take business away from commercial repairers, but to foster a culture of repair and re-use. If the challenge and satisfaction of mending or doing things up becomes the norm, the need to have ‘new stuff’ becomes less dominant. That way, there should be plenty for community groups and those in the business of restoration.
The aims of the meeting are: to firm up some of the ideas – and take on new ones, identify people who are, or might be interested in contributing from time to time; decide on at least one physical meeting in the next month or so; keep the momentum going. Come along if you want to know more or to chip in to the discussion.
Contact Anne for the zoom link.

Ethical Consumer Week
2021-10-16 - 2021-10-22 | Virtual Meeting
We’re not on track to meet global carbon emission reductions goals.
Ethical Consumer Week 2021 will ask, what will it take to bridge the gap? How can businesses, governments and consumers work together to make the change required? And what might a fairer, more equitable world look like on the other side?
Each day will feature a different theme with speakers and events, including food & farming, clothing, money, retail, housing and energy, technology and transport.
Ethical Consumer Week partners are Ecotricity, the Co-op Bank, Your Co-op, VEO and Ethex.
Tickets are priced as ‘pay as you feel’.
More info at www.ethicalconsumerweek.com

Saving our planet and making it fun!
2021-10-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Meeting
“Generations Working Together will celebrate environmental intergenerational projects and show you why saving the planet can be fun. We will be joined by Crawford Paris, Project Manager from Turning the Plastic Tide who will share his intergenerational coastal project and will talk about the importance of fighting climate change. The workshop will include photography, resources, and tips for making your environmental project fun. This session is open for everyone and can be particularly useful for those working with children and young people.”
Click here to register.

Skye Climate Action: Climate and health - the co-benefits of action
2021-10-20 19:00 - 21:30 | Virtual Meeting
Climate change is a crisis, but so too, are current demands on the creaking National Health Service. Addressing climate change benefits health (and health systems) and vice versa, in areas such as diet, physical activity and air pollution, and many other aspects.
This session will start with a presentation to illustrate some of the links, to be followed by Q+A, discussion, and your suggestions for climate-healthy lifestyles.
Zoom link from anne@skyeclimateaction.org

Highland Climate Change Conference
2021-10-21 09:00 - 2021-10-22 17:00 | Virtual Meeting
Last year’s Highland Climate Change Conference was a great success. This year’s Conference, set in the context of COP26, will bring people together from across and beyond Highland to discuss the climate and ecological emergency and explore topics relating to energy, land and sea, reaching net zero and building resilient communities
It will feature speakers from Government, organisations, climate groups, community groups and individuals taking action to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.
The agenda and full list of speakers will be released in the weeks leading up to the event. You can keep updated on Twitter.

Fighting for the climate through intergenerational solidarity
2021-11-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Meeting
Join Generations Working Together during COP26 to talk about how we can join to fight climate change. “We will discuss why it’s vital that generations join together in this fight, how to work with the governments and at a grassroots level and we will also share what we learned from hosting intergenerational climate conversations. We will be joined by Miriam Adcock, the Project Manager for Consumer Waste Prevention at Zero Waste Scotland. Miriam will talk about zero waste initiatives and about working during COP26.”
Click here to register.

COP26 March on Skye Bridge
2021-11-06 11:30 - 14:00 | Kyleakin roundabout
Saturday 6th November, 11.30 am – 2 pm.
Think Global Act Local!
On this Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, local groups across the planet are calling for urgent action to stop global heating and ensure climate justice. Join us on the Skye Bridge Climate March.

It will be a family-friendly gathering – children and youngsters welcome
Bring a banner or placard, and wear bright clothing
Please take care of young children walking on the bridge
Please observe COVID19 precautions e.g. use face coverings and hand sanitiser when gathering before the march.
(Disclaimer) People come at their own risk.

Assembly instructions

Assemble at the Kyleakin Roundabout from 11.30.
Please share transport where possible.
If you can, please park in Kyleakin Hall car park and walk up, so that those who are less able can use the little road opposite the bridge.
Please don’t obstruct any access for residents.

If you can’t come on the march, but would like to show support for climate justice, you can walk over the Bridge anytime during the weekend as individuals, families or groups of friends with signs or placards visible to passing traffic.
If there are any more updates, they’ll be posted on our news post and on Facebook.

Screening of Dàn Fianais (Protest Poem) - a film by Andrew Black
2021-11-06 15:00 - 17:00
Venue: Skye Bridge Studios, Main Street, Kyle of Lochalsh
“The film was made throughout the last year of the COVID pandemic, during an unfolding climate crisis, and at a point where the effects of capitalism and imperialism are being reckoned with globally. The film reflects on ways of being here that might feel lost, though still within the reach of living memory – as well as those that endure – to suggest multiple possible ways forward.”
The film is a co-commission by ATLAS Arts and Skye Climate Action.
The screening is free and about 1 hr long, and will be followed by discussion.
For more information and to register, click here.

Mending Mondays at Rag Tag
2021-11-08 11:00 - 15:00
Rag Tag in Broadford Industrial Estate has started monthly community-mending sessions, in collaboration with SCARRR.
At each session there will be the opportunity to learn more about a different textile mending technique, as well as to share our experience and skills with each other.
£5 charge per session. SCARRR members with skills to share won’t be asked to pay. Pre-booking essential.
Covid precautions include open windows, sanitising and masks when standing.
Email RagTag or phone 01471 822043 to book.

Candlelight vigil in Portree to mark the end of the UN Climate talks
2021-11-12 17:30 - 18:00 | Somerled Square, Portree
Join us in Somerled Square, Portree, to reflect at the end of the UN Climate talks (COP26).
Bring candles in jam jars or battery-operated lights. All are welcome, especially youngsters.

SCA Electrical Amnesty - domestic appliance recycling
2021-11-24 11:00 - 13:00
Drop off your unwanted domestic electrical appliances – large or small, anything with a plug or battery – at Ashaig Camp Site between 11 am and 1 pm. Items will be collected by ILM Highland and either fully recycled or selected for reuse. Items suitable for reuse are removed from the waste stream and taken to their Reuse Workshop to undergo a thorough testing, cleaning and refurbishment process, including PAT testing, ready for sale. Some items are kept for repair and re-use on Skye.
More info here in ILM’s blog, and watch a video here.
