14:00, 09 December 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
In the town centre of Taunton, Somerset, a new hub run by eco group Climate Action Taunton, is helping locals take radical steps to lower their carbon footprints, with support from the nearby Rotary Club.
An old Topshop store, donated to them by its owners, has become a ‘Popshop’. Its repurposed interior serves as a temporary community centre for people of diverse backgrounds to learn about climate actions they can take as individuals.
Its organisers are building up resources and information pamphlets for people to learn about ways to mitigate against climate change in their separate households while acting together.
Co-founder Carolyn Dare says: “We are building awareness around some of the biggest issues we face today and offering simple, practical actions that local people can take.”
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Every Saturday they hold a clinic where visitors can learn from experts about ways to reduce their emissions. The centre has hosted cyclists, innovators and renewable energy specialists. Upcoming talks will cover topics such as eco-friendly food cultivation.
They hope that by bringing together people who usually move in different social circles, they can spread ideas and encourage them to live more sustainably.
“We've attempted to build an ethos of radical inclusivity,” explains Carolyn. “So we listen to all voices from the community and try to get as many people outside of their echo chambers and into broader discussions.”
“People tend to follow the group, don't they,” adds another co-founder Karuna Tharmananthar, thoughtfully. “As social beings, we enjoy group security - it gives us the confidence to act if we see our neighbours doing so. Taking action on climate change used to be a peculiar thing to do. But increasingly, I'm meeting more and more people who want to take the necessary action.”
Since their launch in November, the centre’s organisers have seen a wide range of people - young and old - coming to the centre. But they hope to engage more young people, bringing them into discussions with adults, and sharing concerns, ideas and advice between the generations.
As a rural county town, Taunton is surrounded by farmland and they also intend to focus heavily on how locals can come together to support local, sustainable food production.
“A lot of farmers kind of feel quite attacked almost like everything's their fault. So it's about listening to their concerns and bringing them into discussions too,” adds Carolyn.
Get updates via the Climate Action Taunton Facebook page.
