The Outer Hebrides Climate Conference (OH-COP1) took place on Tuesday 24 September in An Lanntair, Stornoway. The whole-day event, organised by Climate Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides Climate Hub, offered presentations from local organisations and relevant experts, and provided space for discussion and learning about pressing climate issues in the Outer Hebrides.
Kirsty MacKinnon (Climate Hebrides) presenting at the inaugural OH-COP
Words like “climate”, “sustainability”, or “net zero” have become almost mundane parts of our vocabulary. If we don’t use them ourselves, they are still popping out in the news, on the packaging of the products we buy, and in the homework texts of our children. While the frequent occurrence of these terms might be reassuring to some and annoying to others, we should keep in mind what they attempt to describe. A complex, yet essential part of our existence: our connection with the rest of the world, our day-to-day experience of being on this planet, our dùthchas.
Looking for your input
Island communities experience the impact of changing climate with more immediacy than many inland areas. This point was made repeatedly during the Conference. Weather-related ferry service disruptions, flooding, or coastal erosion affect transport and travel, lead to loss of land, and endanger the habitat of local species. Sgeulachd Gnàth-shìde/Our Climate Story, a digital project with a bilingual interactive map, gathers data about these issues directly from the inhabitants of the Outer Hebrides. Anyone wishing to contribute relevant local information or pictures can do so on the project’s webpage (link can be found at the end of this article). So far, there have been over 200 contributions to the map and over 50 proposed solutions. Through this project, members of the public can give input that will influence the climate policies developed in the Outer Hebrides.
Past and future generations
Any conference will likely be attended by a selective audience, but the direct involvement of the wider community was emphasized throughout the event. The talk delivered by the Youth Local Action Group stressed the importance of identifying sustainable practices within traditional Hebridean life and drawing on dùthchas and language to find the best way to take care of our environment.
Brian Whitington (Chief Executive of Climate Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides Climate Hub) said: “OH-COP1 successfully fostered communication, collaboration, and innovative ideas to combat climate change on our islands. Once again, it was the young people who led the charge, demanding the urgent action our communities need. Their voices resonated throughout the day, shaping the direction of our discussions.”
Indeed, after the wealth of information shared on the sustainability of NHS, decarbonisation of housing, peatland restoration and much more, the perspective of the younger participants served as a call to action.
“Climate change is actually happening,” Ellie Denehy (Scottish Youth Parliament) said. “We are not going to change it by tomorrow, but we need to work towards it.”
More information
For Sgeulachd Gnàth-shìde/Our Climate Story, visit:
Harris and Lewis contact: Christopher Smail christopher@climatehebrides.com
More on climate change:
For general advice, visit:
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