THE PUBLIC are invited to help shape Rugby Borough Council’s (RBC) work to adapt to the changing climate at a special meeting.
The council is holding a Climate Adaptation World Cafe Event – the first of its kind in the town – next month.
Residents will be able to express their views on RBC’s draft climate change adaptation plan and will have the chance to make suggestions.
Rugby MP John Slinger and Nature Minister Mary Creagh will address the free event, which will take the format of a World Cafe engagement, at the Benn Hall on November 9 from 10am to 2pm.
There will also be a marketplace for partner organisations to inform participants of what they do locally and opportunities to get involved.
Organisations already signed up to attend include Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT), Garden Organic, Rugby Eco Hub and Rugby Borough Council’s waste management team.
A report will be produced following the event, reflecting the views and opinions expressed on the day, to inform the council’s work on climate adaptation.
The climate adaptation action plan will be the first practical step to address climate change on a borough-wide basis.
Coun Alison Livesey, RBC’s spokesperson for operations and traded services, said: “I am really excited that, for the first time, Rugby Borough Council will be engaging residents in a different way. Together we’ll explore how we as a borough adapt to climate change and involve residents directly in a conversation about this hugely important topic.
“Participants will engage with a series of questions about the possible impacts of climate change on the borough and how we should adapt.
“The outputs of the event will directly influence the final version of our adaptation plan, so this is a real opportunity to influence council policy.
“It is wonderful to have Mary Creagh MP, the Minister for Nature, address the event, which underlines what an important step forward the event is for Rugby Borough Council.”
The council’s Liberal Democrat group leader Coun Jerry Roodhouse said: “The weather is changing, we can all see it – more storms, heavy rain.
“The opportunity at this event is for us to work together and feed into the borough’s adaptation plan which will be used in the coming months. It is a great opportunity, so please come along.”
Dan Green, deputy chief executive of Rugby Borough Council, added: “In Rugby, extreme weather events are already being experienced by our communities and they are predicted to become more frequent.
“Residents of the borough have seen first hand the devastation caused by climate change impacts, such as flooding.
“We can no longer talk about climate change as a problem for tomorrow – it is a reality today.
“We must take urgent action to ensure the borough’s residents, businesses and communities can continue to thrive. We invite all to attend this important event and have their say on the actions we take to adapt to climate change.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/3frakv5e to sign up or find out more. Visit www.rugbynetzero.co.uk for more on Rugby’s Climate Strategy.
