Swap Stitch and Stencil – Saturday 26th September
Join us for 3 hours of creative upcycling. More details here.
Visions of Preston entry period extended – see VoP page
Long hot summer
Hi to all members supporters and viewers. The devastating wildfires, droughts and then the horrific flood wave in Nepal have rammed home how bad things are, and our solidarity and best wishes go out to all who are dealing with the consequences of climate change and nature damage, whether directly or just by having to live in the knowledge of it all.
AI datacentres – and “Silicon Sands”
Blackpool City Council gave outline planning permission for the first of suite of AI-oriented datacentres, with a projected lT load of 80MW – enough to power about 60,000 homes. There are many environmental issues around the datacentres, not least why invest all this carbon and vast chunks of our renewable energy into this area when we are in a climate crisis. However Friends of the Earth has tried until recently to take a moderate view, recognising that large scale computing power is a positive good in many areas (biology and climate science for example) Thus FoE set out criteria to judge the merit of datacentres. However the rush to build no matter what has shifted the position slightly and now FoE has joined other organisations in causing for a stop to new ones until there’s been investigation of impacts. View and sign the petition here.
CAP will host a public meeting in October to discuss this issue, in the meantime a local campaign has started in Blackpool, the Anti Datacentre Coalition.
For a recent blog on some of the impacts see this recent article written for the Ecologist magazine.
Eco Town
A group of CAP supporters went on an excellent tour of Lancashire’s recycling centre in Leyland, in July.
Enthusiastic Response to The People’s Emergency Briefing Screening
“The power of community bringing everyone together to share thoughts on what is probably the biggest event in our time.”
That was how one participant summed up Climate Action Preston’s recent screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing.
More than 30 people gathered to watch the film and take part in a lively and thoughtful discussion afterwards. The event brought together people from a wide range of backgrounds, united by a shared concern for the future and a desire to better understand the climate and nature emergency.
Audience reactions to the film ranged from anger and sadness to hope and determination. Many praised the way the film presented complex scientific information in a clear and accessible way, while also highlighting practical solutions and reasons for optimism.
The discussion that followed explored what climate action means at both a local and national level. Participants spoke about the importance of reducing food waste, improving public transport, supporting renewable energy, growing food locally, and engaging more young people through schools and the University of Lancashire.
A recurring theme throughout the evening was the importance of community. Attendees reflected on the role that local groups can play in creating change, supporting one another, and turning concern into positive action. The contributions of Climate Action Preston, Preston Pedals, Community Energy Preston and other local initiatives were highlighted as examples of how grassroots action can make a real difference.
There was also strong support for sharing the film more widely—in workplaces, schools, community organisations and training sessions—to help counter misinformation and encourage informed discussion about the challenges we face.
Perhaps most importantly, the evening reinforced a message of hope. While participants recognised the scale of the climate emergency, many left feeling energised by the opportunity to connect with others and explore practical ways forward.
As one attendee reminded the group, “We should not give them the gift of our despair.”
Climate Action Preston would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to such an engaging and constructive evening. We look forward to continuing the conversation—and the action—in the months ahead.
- Climate Action Preston Hosts Community Screening of The People’s Emergency BriefingLast few FREE tickets available! – Sign up to see the film On 20 May 2026, Climate Action Preston is inviting the local community to come together for a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing—a powerful film that lays out the reality of the climate and nature crisis, and what we can do about it.…
- CAP’s AGMThis again took place in the city centre venue of St George’s Church Hall. Wolfgang Kuchler who took on the role of Coordinator of the group last autumn Chaired the meeting. Wolf welcomed Cllr Suleman Sarwar who has been the PCC Cabinet Member for Climate Change for the last12 months. He was pleased to briefly…
- Planet over profit – Preston and beyondDamian Connor who manages Integrate’s ‘The Woodhouse’ in Preston gave an inspiring talk about this social enterprise which is a member of the National Community Wood Recycling Network. It collects and reuses waste wood in the most environmentally beneficial way whilst creating jobs and training for people who’ve faced barriers to work – due to…
- Planet Over Profit – Preston and BeyondClimate Action Preston invites you to come together to prioritize our planet over profit locally and globally. Description: Join us for an inspiring event focused on putting the planet first!Hear from Damian Connor of Integrate’s Woodhouse wood recycling and employment project saving carbon and changing lives. Helen Rimmer the NW Organiser for Friends of the…
- Preston Green PledgeThere’s no disputing that government and industry has most responsibility for avoiding ecological breakdown but, as the ‘Take the Jump’ initiative tells us, people are not powerless in making a difference. Research by the University of Leeds School of Earth and Environment, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group representing almost 100 of the worlds biggest…
- “Transform Not Reform” conferenceOver 50 people came to this trade union sponsored event in Preston on 20th September. Climate Action Preston were invited to speak on “Make Polluters Pay” and climate reparations. Climate campaigners and anti-fracking activists were among the speakers and attenders. Climate change was a theme running through both morning and afternoon sessions, in terms of…
- ‘Harnessing the power of community to bring about change’After several months of planning, a Sustainability Festival took place at the end of May. Annie Wynn the Development Director of Let’s Grow Preston provided the logistics to the planning group for the festival to happen alongside the well-established annual Spring Fair at their Walled Gardens base next to Ashton Park. Funds were raised from…
About Climate Action Preston
The objectives of Climate Action Preston are to:
• Hold our local leaders, civic institutions and public agencies to account by monitoring and challenging their climate plans.
• Put local solutions into action.
• Raise public awareness throughout local neighbourhoods, working with local groups and the general public to make our neighbourhoods greener and safer for all.
• Work with all communities and across generations to continuously educate ourselves about the challenges and solutions to the climate and nature emergency.
• Focus as much on biodiversity and nature as on the reduction of individual and institutional carbon footprints.
Welcome
All are welcome! Please email secretary@climateactionpreston.org to be added to the mailing list .
As a ‘Friends of the Earth Local Action Group’ CAP has signed onto the FoE Charter.
This can be read here https://cdn.friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/Local-group-charter-final.pdf
To be a Member of CAP we ask you to agree with the CAP objectives and the Charter.
If you wish to be a Member, please say so in your email – Thanks!