Monmouthshire County Council is taking part in a nationwide campaign this month to highlight the need for urgent action on climate and nature. Taking place between 24th September – 2nd October, the climate action campaign known as the Great Big Green Week will see thousands of people across the UK organising local festivals and events.
The campaign aims to draw attention to climate change, destruction of the natural world, while also making a connection with these issues in communities like Monmouthshire, at the same time as showcasing actions to tackle climate change. Creating a better world, for us now and for the next generation.
Events happening in the county during the week range from public ‘discover nature’ days and litterpicks, and sessions will be held in in schools to raise awareness of the importance of looking after nature and our green spaces. There will also be events to encourage people to travel by bus, walk or cycle to school. Council colleagues will have the chance to try out electric bikes and vehicles, and communities are encouraged to save waste, save money and save the planet by visiting the local community fridges and Benthyg Library of Things.
The Great Big Green Week is being organised by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change, whose members include the National Trust, WWF, Women’s Institute, Oxfam, Fairtrade Foundation and RSPB.
Councillor Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “Every one of us needs to play our part in tackling climate change, here in Monmouthshire and across the world. Get involved in Great Big Green Week by going along to some of the events that are being organised and find out about the ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint, in the way we travel, how we look after our gardens and green spaces, reducing our energy use and cutting down on waste. It would be great if we could all do our bit during Green Week and beyond to make a difference.”
MORE INFORMATION
| Date | Event | Details |
| Thur 22nd September | World Car Free Day | Activities in Monmouthshire schools to encourage walking, cycling and scooting to school. |
| Fri 23rd September | Catch the Bus month | Cllr Catrin Maby will be encouraging residents to use local bus services as part of Catch the Bus month. |
| Sat 24th September 10am | Keep Chepstow Tidy Community Litter Pick | Meet at Beachley Point car park by the SARA station to join in with Keep Wales Tidy’s Marine Clean Cymru. Kit provided, bring gloves if possible. |
| Mon 26th and Fri 30th 1 to 2pm | Borrow from Benthyg Monmouth, Bridges Centre, Monmouth | Got any jobs for the weekend that you need a particular tool for? Check out https://monmouthshire.benthyg.cymru/ and see if you can borrow instead of buy from Monmouth’s Library of Things! |
| Thur 29th September 12pm and 5pm | Green UNISON Week | Unison members are invited to our small talk sessions on how to save energy and water… and hence money on bills too! |
| Fri 30th September | Overmonnow Primary wildlife activities | Pupils at Overmonnow Primary will be having fun today learning all about our local wildlife and how to look after it. |
| Up to 30th September | Have your say on Nature Isn’t Neat | Last day to fill in the Nature Isn’t Neat survey and have your say about how we manage our green spaces https://bit.ly/natureisntneat |
| Sun 2nd October, 12 to 4pm | Rogiet Discover Nature Day, Rogiet Playing Field | Come along and learn all about Nature Isn’t Neat, pollinators and lots more! |
| Sun 2nd October, 3pm | Film Showing of “2040” at Abergavenny Community Centre | Join Abergavenny Friends of the Earth for their film showing ****STOP PRESS**** Tickets are sold out, but watch out for other local environmental films being shown soon. |
| Date tbc | Council staff Ebike and Electric Vehicle taster day | Council staff at County Hall, Usk can try out Ebikes and Electric Vehicles, plus buy some preloved bargains from a pop-up Reuse Shop |
| Date tbc | Community Nature Spaces in Chepstow | Have your say on how to get more nature into Chepstow’s parks and play areas. Council staff will be starting the consultation off by asking primary school children what they think. |
| Throughout the week | Schools Anti-Idling Campaign | Signs designed by pupils to encourage people to switch off their engines when waiting near schools will be going up at local schools. |
| Various times throughout the week | Visit Monmouthshire’s Community Fridges | You can have food for free and reduce food waste whilst saving money, at Monmouthshire’s community fridges. For details and locations see https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/lifes-essentials-food-cash-support/ |