Online training for climate change adaptation

A community group taking part in climate adaptation training

Climate change may be a global problem, but many of the solutions will be driven by individuals and communities. That’s why Community Forests Northwest, on behalf of Liverpool City Council, have developed an online facility for training community groups about climate change adaptation.

Intended for organisations such as ‘friends of’ groups, resident associations, primary and secondary school and faith groups, the website contains a wide range of training materials such as presentations, games and aids to stimulate debate and discussion. The idea is that professionals can work with this material to tailor sessions to match their group’s interests.

For example, there is a presentation that helps participants understand what is meant by the term ‘green infrastructure’, and another demonstrating its importance in the fight against climate change.

This can then be built upon using an internet-based mapping tool to help to understand some of the risks and vulnerabilities that may affect their own neighbourhood, and the people who live and work there.

And to emphasise the individual’s role in all of this, participants are encouraged to contribute their pledge of action at the end of the session, stating how they will personally aim to help adapt their local area to climate change.

Though this online facility was developed with the north west of England in mind, it can easily be modified to take in other parts of the country and notes for trainers detail the materials that might be useful, how long it should take and the kind of discussions it could provoke, ensuring that the training facility can be used by seasoned and novice trainers alike.

The activities themselves are also suited to groups of varying degrees of knowledge and skill: there are some introductory presentations, whilst hints and tips are included to stretch more advanced participants’ knowledge.

Community Forests Northwest, the charity that supports The Mersey Forest, Red Rose Forest and Pennine Edge Forest, would also like the adaptation training to be the start of an interactive dialogue on the subject. The facility was developed through consultation with stakeholder groups across the region, and users of the resource are encouraged to feed back their experiences of the materials. An online discussion forum allows trainers and participants to share what, in their mind, worked and what could be improved.

To see what’s on offer and download the materials, please visit www.ginw.co.uk/climatechange/training – and don’t forget to let Community Forests Northwest know of your adaptation training experience.