Project offers visions of hope for communities as they tackle the effects of climate change

A series of artworks – from murals and maps to interactive games and poetry – are helping communities across Devon tell the stories of how they are responding to the climate emergency.

Villages, towns and cities across the county were given the opportunity to work with researchers and professional artists and writers to explore how they might respond positively to the climate crisis and to celebrate changes they are already making.

The result is an eye-catching collection of visions, highlighting how places of all shapes and sizes are working to address the challenge of being carbon net zero.

The creative outputs have been developed as part of Net Zero Visions , a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by the University of Plymouth in collaboration with Devon Climate Emergency.

The project is rooted in the idea that imagining what is possible can help communities achieve change, while raising a wider awareness of the better futures that are still available to us.

It is also supporting the Devon Carbon Plan, the roadmap for how Devon will reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.

The projects produced through the Net Zero Visions initiative include:

Three murals – on the University of Plymouth’s Sustainability Hub , the Plymouth Methodist Central Hall and the Tiverton Pannier Market – which identify some of the communities’ key existing achievements, and their aspirations for the future;
A series of poems written by award-winning Devon poet Fiona Benson, who worked with organisations across the county to write about everything from otters to seagrass and solar farms;
Artist Philip Harris worked with the Five Parish Alliance – which represents the parishes of Brixton, Holbeton, Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, Wembury and Yealmpton – to create illustrations exploring what the communities see as the critical elements of their net zero future. He also worked with organisations in Torbay to create maps showing how they are meeting the challenges of going net zero, and with groups in Exeter and Brixton to promote walks that take in organic farms and biodiversity hotspots;
Plymouth-based design agency Mutant Labs Ltd worked with local residents and schools to create three online mini-games based around the themes of green transport; locally produced sustainable food; and recycling, upcycling and borrowing;
BAFTA Award-winning animator Mr Ashley Potter , Lecturer in Illustration at the University of Plymouth, created a free-to-watch film that draws together all the communities’ aspirations for the future;
With Dr Emma Whittaker , Professor Sergeant co-edited a project book – Net Zero Visions – which brings together the artworks along with essays by transition experts on key sectors of the Devon Carbon Plan, and explorations of the role that net zero imagining can play.

In addition, a series of educational resources are being developed in partnership with Devon County Council and Planet and People that will provide teachers and schools with materials they can use to explore net zero transition and positive change.

A toolkit is also being produced with artist Kate Crawfurd and Dr Naomi Tyrrell that will support communities in developing their own Net Zero Visions public murals.

Project offers visions of hope for communities as they tackle the effects of climate change

Net Zero Visions is rooted in the idea that imagining what is possible can help communities achieve change

Mr Alan Williams

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