The power of place in tackling climate change

How the University of Plymouth empowers communities to imagine a better future
Young people taking part in a climate change protest

Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face today, posing unprecedented challenges to societies at every level. And a New Statesman article explores how the University of Plymouth seeks to counteract the helplessness many people feel.
Research and action from academics in SHAPE (social sciences, humanities, and the arts for people and the economy) disciplines , including Sociology and English, is providing models for how we can match the urgency of the need to act with our potential as citizens and communities to make meaningful change.

Climate education in the curriculum

One of the striking things that's come out of a recent piece of research is that secondary school children feel that the climate education that they're receiving tends to be treating climate change as a kind of faraway problem.

Alison AndersonProfessor Alison Anderson
Professor in Sociology

Plymouth’s research, carried out in conjunction with the British Science Association , found that young people wanted more climate education and for it to be embedded across the curriculum, whereas currently it is mainly siloed in GCSE Geography and Science. Professor Anderson adds:
“People are far more likely to be engaged with climate action through taking a place-based approach that links in with their own experience and local community, and where they can actually see changes occurring. The key issue now is, how do we actually deal with the climate crisis and that involves behaviour change, and looking at ways in which we can ensure that our leaders actually take the appropriate action so that we don't have less privileged people being left behind.”

Imagining a better future

Climate change is not only an environmental and scientific problem, but a social, political, and cultural one that requires a holistic response. An example of Plymouth’s work in this space is a project led by Professor David Sergeant, working with Devon Climate Emergency.

Technical solutions are extremely important, but people need to be able to imagine how these plans can make a positive difference to their lives and those of generations to come.

David SergeantProfessor David Sergeant
Professor of English Literature

Professor Sergeant worked with DCE for two years across multiple locations, developing Net-Zero Visions for the Devon Climate Emergency , a project that brought together artists, community groups and climate experts to imagine a positive vision of what the place they lived in might look like in 2050. This was about exploring what was possible rather than whitewashing the difficulties, and thinking about what a survivable, secure, liveable future could look like. He adds:
“The idea of imagining a better future can seem frivolous, but it has power… Everyone possesses creativity. It can’t be lost or taken away. Being reminded of that can also remind people of the power they have to change things.”
The full version of this article can be found in the latest issue of New Statesman and on the magazine’s website.

SHAPE disciplines address global challenges associated with marine, health and sustainability through the lens of place

Through five place-based research themes, we investigate the intricate relationships between communities, the natural world, and technology.

Locally, we co-create sustainable solutions to complex problems in order to build resilient and thriving neighbourhoods, cities, and regions. This work transcends geographical, social and political boundaries to become applicable on a global level.
Place-based research concept: crowd of people standing on a computer motherboard.