Cornwall Climate catch ups: Emma Hazeldine

Calstock to the Coast: A Journey of Climate, Change, and Community

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Rediscovering My Voice

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I’ve always thought of myself as someone who cares deeply about the world around me. From a young age, I was passionate about animal rights, subscribing to organisations like PETA and protesting against blood sports. I spent my teenage years fuelled by a sense of justice and a fierce, loud voice.

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Yet, as I journeyed through adulthood, that voice became quieter. It wasn’t that I stopped caring about the world; it’s just that life, in its many distractions, got in the way. I still made thoughtful choices, sticking to a vegetarian diet, using eco-friendly products, sorting my recycling, but I wasn’t paying attention as closely as I once had. I wasn’t fully grasping the magnitude of the environmental crisis unfolding around me. The changes in weather, the eroding cliffs along the Cornish coast where I run, and the unsettling reports about climate change were there, but they felt distant, something I wasn’t fully engaged with… until one day, I finally started listening again.

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A Growing Awareness: Climate Change on the Horizon

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Looking back, it seems odd that I didn’t react sooner to the climate crisis. Like many, I remember vague discussions about the “hole in the ozone layer” years ago, and I knew about the damage caused by CFCs, but that’s where my awareness stopped. Despite seeing changes in the natural world, from hotter summers to heavy flooding, I wasn’t connecting the dots. I had been running along Cornwall’s coastline for years, noticing how the cliffs were crumbling away between runs, yet I didn’t grasp the full significance.

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It took time, perhaps too much time, before I started truly listening. Maybe it was the increasing urgency of voices speaking out, or perhaps it was a combination of Extinction Rebellion (XR) and the powerful message from Greta Thunberg that finally broke through. I realised that it wasn’t enough to sit on the sidelines. I needed to find my voice again, to speak up in a way that felt true to me. But how?

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Finding My Voice Again: The Climate Crisis Becomes Real

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As the urgency of the climate crisis became impossible to ignore, I found myself grappling with how to respond. Movements like Extinction Rebellion were impossible to miss, and Greta Thunberg had sparked global conversations. These figures and groups were forcing people to face the reality of our warming planet, but I hesitated. In my younger years, I was no stranger to protests, proudly waving banners for causes I believed in. Yet, this time, I didn’t feel drawn to large-scale demonstrations.
It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in the cause, far from it. But the thought of organising travel, time off, and joining crowded protests felt overwhelming. The fire that had once driven my activism felt quieter now. I wanted to make a difference, but I wasn’t sure how or where I fit into this growing climate movement. That’s when Cornwall Climate Care came into my life and gave me the opportunity to connect my voice with something deeply meaningful.

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Cornwall’s Climate Story: A Personal Connection

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Working with Cornwall Climate Care has been an incredibly special experience. Despite being a small team, they have achieved extraordinary things, creating stunning, powerful films that bring the realities of climate change into focus. Their dedication to telling Cornwall’s climate stories is nothing short of remarkable. The films they’ve produced are not only visually captivating, but they also highlight the urgency of the climate crisis in a way that feels personal and deeply relevant to the local community. It’s a huge testament to what can be achieved by a passionate few.
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In 2021, I had the privilege of working with them on the documentary "Living on the Edge", which focuses on coastal erosion in Cornwall. This wasn’t just another project; it felt like the perfect opportunity for me to find my voice again. As a runner, I’ve seen firsthand the effects of climate change on our coastline. I’ve watched chunks of the cliffs disappear, seen the once familiar paths altered beyond recognition. Being able to connect my identity as a runner to something so urgent and meaningful was a turning point.

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"Living on the Edge" used my journey along Cornwall’s coast path to illustrate the growing crisis. The film became a way for me to share the climate stories
I’ve witnessed while running. It gave me a voice that felt authentic and personal, one that I could use to reach others who may not fully grasp how serious the issue of coastal erosion has become. Cornwall Climate Care continues to tell these vital stories. For example, their film 'Down the Drain' beautifully captures the plight of Cornwall’s inland waters and the need to protect these essential habitats. The signs of coastal erosion are everywhere along the Cornwall coast path.

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The Calstock Wetlands: A Daily Reminder of Climate Change

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The Calstock Wetlands project, initiated by the Environment Agency, is a powerful example of a community responding to the environmental changes that are already here. It addresses the rising sea levels and increased flooding risks by creating a 12-hectare intertidal wetland. The project not only strengthens flood resilience but also enhances biodiversity by turning a flood plain into a thriving wetland habitat. I am privileged to live in Calstock, where this incredible initiative has been implemented. The wetlands are a daily reminder of the dangers of climate change, with rising tides threatening homes and land. Yet, they are also a source of hope and inspiration. Every morning, before dawn, I walk the wetlands path, and the transformation I’ve witnessed is breathtaking. The number of species has flourished. Otters, herons, and an ever-growing bat population have made this place their home. It’s a living testament to the success of nature-based solutions and the resilience of our natural world when given the chance to adapt.

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A Gentle Call to Action: Finding Your Own Voice

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Through my experience with *Living on the Edge* and the daily reminder of the Calstock Wetlands, I’ve learned that activism doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. For some, it’s standing on the frontlines of protests, while for others, it’s telling stories or sharing knowledge in quieter but no less powerful ways. We all have a role to play, and it’s about finding what feels authentic to each of us.

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If you’re reading this and wondering how to get involved, I encourage you to start with what feels meaningful to you. Whether it’s supporting small but impactful organisations like Cornwall Climate Care, having conversations with friends and family, or making small changes in your own life; every action counts. The key is to find your voice, however that may look, and to use it.

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I’m incredibly proud of the work that Cornwall Climate Care continues to do. Their documentaries not only highlight the challenges but also offer solutions
and hope for the future. Cornwall Climate Care is a charity, and their ability to continue this vital work relies on support from people like you. Fundraising for
the future is an important way to ensure that they can keep producing these powerful stories and expanding their reach. I invite you to watch "Living on the
Edge" and explore the other films in the Cornwall Climate Stories series. By listening, learning, supporting, and sharing these stories, we can all play a part
in addressing the climate crisis, one voice at a time.

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