Mapping Climate Change at Liniclate Library

26 August 2021 at 16:35:36

An exciting public mapping project has just been launched at Liniclate Library as part of the wider Outer Hebrides Climate Beacon initiative. The mapping project aims to reach as many residents in Uist and Benbecula as possible to find out what climate change means to people in the area; what concerns they have; and what areas, homes and other local places might be most at risk.

Climate change is an issue which affects everyone in the Outer Hebrides. However, there are steps all communities, organisations and individuals can take to mitigate Carbon emissions and adapt to impacts in ways that strengthen our community. Islanders have a strong history of working with and adjusting to environmental changes. This mapping project provides a space for people to share their knowledge and experience of environmental changes and build a local database which communities can use to plan for climate change.

David Maclennan, Chairman of the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership Climate Change Group said: "The evidence that our climate is changing is strong - we can expect to see warmer, drier summers, heavier rainfall events, more storms and rising sea levels. We have to make plans to adapt to our changing climate, and this project gives people a great the opportunity to influence our approach."

The mapping project is one of the first community engagement pieces to be launched for the newly formed Outer Hebrides Climate Beacon. The Outer Hebrides Climate Beacon is a partnership between multiple creative, cultural and public organisations across the Outer Hebrides, including the library service, An Lanntair, Taigh Chearsabhagh, Ceòlas and the Community Planning Partnership's Climate Change Working Group. The partnership is collaborating on thought-provoking events and exhibitions to explore climate change and aim to inspire positive action in the lead up to and legacy from the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference.

Having hosted a series of online and in-person mapping workshops in North Uist in July and August (see photos below), the Outer Hebrides Climate Beacon partnership are now offering communities the opportunity to map their histories and experience at their convenience in Liniclate Library. The mapping project will then be extended to other libraries in the Outer Hebrides, including the Mobile Library service. People are also encouraged to email their contributions on environmental change if they are unable to reach a library (contact details below).

Eilidh Maclean, Library Development Officer for Liniclate Library, said: "We are really excited to be the first library in the Outer Hebrides to host the mapping engagement project. Local people have such a deep knowledge of the land and will be aware of the changes climate change has already brought to the area. Mapping these will have huge benefit for all of us going forward, and the project will also give people, young and old, the opportunity to share their concerns about potential impacts, which will help us prepare and adapt for the future."

The mapping project will be available for all at Liniclate Library from 26 August until the end of September 2021, while the project will be launched via the Mobile Library service in Uist at the start of September. Mapping materials are available in Gaelic and English, along with written and video instructions. Liniclate Library is currently open to the public on Tuesdays from 4 to 7pm, Fridays from 2.30 to 6.00pm and Saturdays, from 10am to 1pm. (Opening hours are subject to change so please contact the library for details at 01870 603691 or lionacleitlibrary@cne-siar.gov.uk.).

Contact details:

Kathleen Milne, Western Isles Libraries. kathleen.milne@cne-siar.gov.uk, 01851 822790