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Parallels Sessions II – 2.2 ACT Waterford: can creatives working with scientists change attitudes and behaviour on climate action?
May 3, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Sheila Donegan, Eoin Gill
Nollaig Healy, Calmast, South East Technological University, Ireland
Citizens are aware of climate change but move to action is slow. Can creatives with scientists engaging communities help change attitudes and behaviour?
ACT Waterford , a yearlong interdisciplinary climate action project did just that. Waterford a county in Ireland has a population of 127,000 that aims to decarbonise by 2040. Working with the council, Calmast STEM engagement centre selected 5 different communities, pairing them with 5 creatives and scientists, each focused on a separate climate action theme. Creatives from theatre, visual arts, sculpture, horticulture, sustainability used various techniques to attract /engage individuals (all ages and backgrounds) and communities. The works were displayed in cultural festivals.
This session will relate how ACT Waterford created, engaged and activated a diverse range of urban, rural and online communities on climate action. It will reflect on the difficulties met in a complex multi-audience and multi-disciplinary project