THIRTY campaigners and would-be campaigners from all over Dorset gathered on Saturday at a 'Climate Action Academy' to hear how they could help to head off dangerous climate change.

At the event at Bridport Town Hall, organiser Chit Chong said: “It was an ambitious program where we had a detailed whip-through the science of why climate change is a certainty, examples of successful campaigns, challenging climate sceptics, how to bridge the gaps between policy and action, and the soft to hard choices we could all make to improve our personal footprints."

Speakers outlined both the practicalities and imaginative tactics involved in successful campaigning, some drawing on first-hand examples of activities, from putting up a replica fracking rig outside Parliament, to lobbying pension funds to withdraw their investments from fossil fuel companies.

Local activities discussed included raising awareness on food miles, and encouraging the council to divest funds from fossil fuels.

Some participants wrote personal pledges.

Local businessman Mark Wheaton said: "Attending this event strengthened my resolve to turn our fleet away from fossil fuel over to electric as soon possible."

Jacqui McDonald from Lyme, vowed to make much greater use of LPG and not petrol in her recently converted dual fuel car.

Lucy Sommers from Bridport is going on a ShareAction workshop to tackle companies on their environmental performance at shareholder meetings.

Another Bridport resident, Joe Burlington said.:“I've been an environmentalist for a decade but this event has really made me think about the urgency of tackling climate change, and how I can do more to get involved.”

Further workshops in different areas are being discussed.

For more information contact Chit Chong on 07970 483188.

Climate Action Academy was part of the Transition Town Green Fortnight