Chester’s Grosvenor Museum opens a special, free ‘Nature and Climate Change’ exhibition

Climate change is hot news, especially with COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference coming to Glasgow in November and a recent UK State of Climate report showing that in the UK, 2020 was one of the warmest, wettest and sunniest years on record*. To explore the impacts of climate change, Chester’s Grosvenor Museum’s is holding a special, free ‘Nature and Climate Change’ exhibition until 14 November. Booking is not necessary and for up-to-date information and guidance on visiting the museum go to westcheshiremuseums.co.uk 

Designed to challenge mind-sets, the Grosvenor Museum is hosting an exhibition by Henry McGhie of Curating Tomorrow that explores how nature is both affected by climate change but is also one of humanity’s greatest allies in facing the challenges of climate change. The Grosvenor Museum’s exhibition is part of a wider approach by Cheshire West and Chester Council to tackle climate change through its Climate Emergency Response Plan which has a target for the borough to become target neutral by 2045 and as an organisation by 2030.

 The response plan sets out how the Council, businesses and residents can play their part to tackle the Climate Emergency. As an example, residents and community groups can get involved with the Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) Green Pledge Campaign and the upcoming Great Big Green Week in September.

There is no charge to visit the exhibition located in Chester City centre at 27 Grosvenor Street and this exhibition is a great way for families to enjoy an interesting and thought-provoking time together.  

 

To ensure visitors feel safe when attending the exhibition, the advice is to:  

• Carry out and have a negative Lateral Flow Test 24h prior to attending the event  

• That people should do a symptoms check prior to leaving home.  

• That people consider their own measures prior to attending which could include face masks inside and some social distancing in busy areas.  
• Visitors are also encouraged to download and log their Covid status on the NHS app  

Through specially commissioned, colourful illustrations and accompanying information, visitors can explore the wide range of ways that climate change affects plants, animals and wild places. For instance, how mountain hares’ winter camouflage is of no use without snow; tawny owls are evolving, corals and mountain plants and butterflies are moving to track the changing climate, and many more examples. Other stories explore how, by preserving natural diversity and habitats, nature itself becomes a powerful ally: mangrove trees protect tropical coasts and communities from storms, and peatlands (such as those in Delamere Forest) help store huge quantities of carbon and provide homes for rare wildlife.  

 

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Saving the Planet will ultimately be all about protecting and learning from nature. But sometimes it can be hard to talk about it or understand what we can do - this is what this exhibition tackles head-on. Deliberately designed to appeal to people of all ages, I very much hope that as many people as possible can visit and be inspired to take action. 

 

“The Council is committed to making a difference by working in a focused and steady way on positive climate change initiatives and encouraging our residents, communities and local businesses to play their part, as set out in our Climate Emergency response plan. We are determined to make the most of the world focusing on climate change before and after the vital COP26 Conference this November. For this reason, before the end of the year, we are working to continue to stimulate debate and action through initiatives like this excellent ‘Nature and Climate Change’ exhibition and the Great Big Green Week in September.” 

 

The exhibition was developed by Liverpool-based, Henry McGhie**, a specialist in museums, climate change and sustainable development (www.curatingtomorrow.co.uk)