The climate crisis: Together we can achieve something
Most of us are aware of the climate crisis. It can feel like such a big problem that we don’t know what to say or do. Here in Portsea parish – which covers Fratton and Landport – we have started to take small steps towards changing how we work, to help both the environment and our local community.
The traffic down Fratton Road is a big problem. We wanted a more environmentallyfriendly way of carrying things and travelling around the parish. So when the opportunity arose, we leapt at the chance to apply for a Portsmouth City Council grant to make some small changes that would benefit everyone.
Our application was successful, and we used the money to install bike stands at St Mary’s Church on Fratton Road, and an electric cargo bike. You may see me, or others from our churches, using it to transport things from home to church, or between our three church buildings.
However we’re not stopping there. We know we have a long way to go. We have recently been awarded a silver Eco-Church award by A Rocha, the Christian charity that is helping churches to care for the environment. This reflects our commitment to the cause so far, and our determination to do more.
Among other things, we hosted a family open day last weekend on May 7, which was run by the University of Portsmouth.
This was part of the work being done on mapping plastic waste in our city, and included puppets, talks, refreshments – along with handy tips to help people cut down on their waste.
On June 8-9, we will be hosting an arts project to mark World Ocean Day. It’s produced by ‘1000 Plateaus’, a Portsmouth-based collective of audio-visual artists and performers. They will be showcasing some of the art made in local schools, and the work of other artists in the area.
Finally, on August 14, the church will host a celebration of cycling, and all cyclists will be welcome here at St Mary’s Church in Fratton. More details will follow.
You may feel you are only doing something small to help, but if we all do small things, we can achieve something big together! We’d love to work alongside you to make that happen.