Community groups, young people and CPP Board members heard about climate and nature challenges, action taken to combat them and from national speakers and other local community groups.

There was also the opportunity to discuss climate and nature issues which are important to them, the organisation they represent and the people that they support.

Leader of South Lanarkshire Council and chair of the CPP, Councillor Joe Fagan, said: “It was great to see so many people from communities across South Lanarkshire come together for this event.

“I hope the event is just the start of many conversations, whether it be at home, in the community where people live, at school or college, with Community Planning Partners or beyond. 

“It is important that we keep this conversation going, sharing our stories and taking action whether individually or together. 

“While the scale of the challenge can seem overwhelming, together, we can make a difference in South Lanarkshire.   

“I would like to thank everyone who attended, in particular the speakers, our young people and the Community Planning and Sustainable Development Teams for organising and supporting the event.”

The speakers at the event were Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) and Alex Cameron-Smith.

Laura is an award-winning climate advocate, environmental scientist, PhD Researcher and ethical influencer who started, and continues to lead, the campaign to see single-use disposable vapes banned across Scotland and the UK. 

Alex is a Climate Resilience Manager at Sniffer, a sustainability that delivers the Adaptation Scotland programme for Scottish Government - helping public agencies, local authorities, business and communities across the country take joint action to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

A number of groups hosted “conversation cafes” at the event, including:

• Communities in Action: ONECAN, Carluke
• Green Travel: Climate Action, Strathaven
• Food growing: Grow73, Rutherglen
• Engagement: South Lanarkshire Youth Council and schools
• Nature Based Solutions: Incredibly Wild, East Kilbride