Success at COP on the Coast 2024

Published: 22 November 2024

 

More than 200 people visited the first ever Deal Climate Action Day on Saturday.

Hosted at Deal Town Hall, it was a gathering of local groups engaged in different types of climate action, sharing what they do and how people could get involved.

The event, organised and hosted by Deal Town Council, was officially opened by the Mayor of Deal, Cllr Oliver Richardson.

He said: “It really was tremendous to see all that passion and hard work to improve our environment held in one place and so many people came to see and hear and share in that.

“When you look at the breadth of work and scope of what we are tackling, I have to take my hat off to the extraordinary people who are making it possible.”

Helen Charlton from Pick Deal Clean said: “Climate Action Day gave a much-needed opportunity for many of our volunteer groups to showcase the efforts they are putting into the fighting environmental concerns - global concerns which impact all of us

“There is no substitute for face-to-face communication about the complexity of the problems our planet is experiencing.”

More than 12 local groups were represented and the entire event was broadcast live to the world via Deal Radio.

Sandown Castle Community Garden Group’s Linda Ford said: “It was wonderful talking to so many interested people and we are pleased the day was so well attended.”

Visitors were able to learn a range of issues including energy efficiency, getting involved in local projects such as gleaning or growing hops and also species that are in decline.

Vanessa Dent from Walmer and Deal Action for Swifts (WALDAS) said: “Supported by Walmer and Deal Town Councils we have reached a large number of converts to the cause of halting the decline of Common Swifts here in the Deal area.

“Through the Climate Action Day, the message that the simple installation of a free nesting box can help this red-listed bird was received enthusiastically by many visitors.

“We will now follow up these eager new contacts with practical advice about receiving and installing a Swift box.”

Climate Action Day brought together the work of local authorities too with Dover District and Walmer Town exhibiting alongside Deal Town Council.

Cllr Sarah Waite-Gleave, chair of Walmer Town Council Climate Emergency Working Group said: “A big thank you to Deal Town Council, Climate Action Day allowed the public to discover more about the many impressive community initiatives in our CT14 home.

“With the Kent Resilience Forum warning of what local groups need to do to protect Kent communities from expected extreme weather challenges, this work is important.”

Climate Action Day is one in a series of projects and activities led by Deal Town Council. In 2019 DTC declared a climate emergency with an ambition to being net zero by 2025, which it effectively met six months early. You can learn more about the council's climate action and how to get involved at www.deal.gov.uk/climate