We all joke that Scotland often experiences four seasons in one day. As much as it feels that way at times, Scotland should have cool summers, mild winters and rainfall throughout the year. However, our climate is changing. Over the last few decades Scotland has experienced a warming trend and shifting rainfall patterns. In future, experts are predicting warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers with more extreme events. These changes will have major implications for our way of life.
Impacts of climate change in Scotland include increases in flood risk, coastal change, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and increased prevalence of pests and diseases in the natural environment.
Climate change is also a key driver of the climate emergency – it is the single greatest threat to Scotland’s habitats. As Scotland aims to move towards Net Zero, it’s important for all of us to consider environmental sustainability at the heart of all of our activities. Many people call this being ‘Climate Aware’, which is the act of learning about the natural environment and making educated choices to benefit the earth, rather than hurt it.
Why is this relevant in a youth theatre context?
Information around the climate crisis can often involve alarming statistics, prophecies of doom and gloom, and a call to do important but small tasks that many consider dull and irritating, e.g. turning down thermostats and ensuring kettles are boiled responsibly. Most people have some level of climate awareness and understand that the future of our natural world, and our societies are at stake. Yet there is also a ‘climate fatigue’ in which people just don’t want to think about it anymore. Arts and culture can be a crucial remedy to this, and a catalyst for change, by making climate awareness accessible and exciting.
Youth theatre could play a particularly crucial role within this. Many young people have a passionate interest in climate awareness as they are acutely aware that they are the ones who will be living in and leading the future. Harnessing the passion and creativity of young people in pursuit of a greener society can be enormously engaging and motivating for participants, as well as having potentially world–changing effects.
COP 26
COP26: A visual guide | Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (eciu.net)
YouthLink’s COP26 Scottish Youth Climate Project
How your youth theatre can get involved with Climate Awareness
Swap, recycle and save money with the Circular Arts Network
Youth Theatre Performance Projects relating to Climate Awareness
Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble’s “Once You See The Smoke”
The National Youth Theatre’s three-year environmental project MELT
Wild Geese Theatre: helping young people face climate change anxiety
Almeida Theatre Young Company’s digital climate change festival ‘Shifting Tides’
General Climate Awareness Links
Dare we hope? Here’s my cautious case for climate optimism | Rebecca Solnit | The Guardian
What are YTAS doing to help the environment?
Youth Theatre Arts Scotland is a climate-aware and climate-active organisation. We are proud to be a member of The Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of arts organisations working to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable Scotland. We are committed to monitoring and reducing our own environmental impact, and to inspiring, encouraging and supporting our sector to act sustainably as we transition towards a climate resilient and low-carbon economy.
At our events, we aim to…
- Reduce paper resources. Where possible we send out information packs and delegate lists by email, and keep paper resources to a minimum.
- Provide vegetarian-based catering, with vegan and other dietary requirement options available.
- Encourage you to bring your own keep cup to use throughout the day.
