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“I am worried for the future.”
The Salisbury Museum worked with two local Scout groups (4th Salisbury Harnham Scouts and 1st Laverstock Scouts) on a project about climate change. They used the museum’s natural history collection – in particular the Victorian collection of taxidermy – as a jumping off point to think about the affects of climate change, locally and globally.
They are not alone in their concerns about climate change. A 2021 global survey illustrated the depth of anxiety many young people are feeling about climate change. Nearly 60% of the participants said they felt very worried or extremely worried.
But the global survey also reported feelings of hope. The world is home to 1.8 billion 10 to 24 year-olds – the biggest generation of youth historically. Young people across the world are using their voices for positive change.
A comment from one Scout, “It is practically impossible to stop climate change”, led the group to explore what we, as individuals, can do to help. Below are some of their ideas.
The Scouts wrote, directed and made their own film about climate change called ‘Everyone and Everything’.
Working alongside a professional film-maker, they researched the theme, set up the lighting and sound, interviewed each another, and filmed the action.
The final job was to photograph the museum objects to become stills for the finished film. The Scouts hope that their film inspires YOU to join in the fight against climate change!
The Scouts examined a range of objects from Salisbury Museum’s collections that relate to climate change. They were fascinated by the taxidermy raptors and investigated the impact of climate change on these beautiful birds.
They learned that raptors are birds of prey that feed on live captured prey or on carrion. The word ‘raptor’ is derived from the Latin word ‘rapere’, which means ‘to seize’. Raptors have three characteristics setting them apart from all other birds:
The Scouts found out that:
The Scouts were also concerned about protecting local chalk rivers and streams and the wildlife that thrives in them.
Our chalk streams are unique – there are only 260 chalk streams in the world, and most of them are in southern England!
Chalk streams are some of the planet’s rarest habitats. The pure water enables a variety of aquatic plants to grow, which supports numerous invertebrates (animals without a backbone) and fish, such as trout and salmon. These in turn support kingfishers, otters and water voles.
The Scouts discovered that global warming is triggering more heatwaves which are drying out our rivers and streams. Fewer than a fifth of all England’s rivers are now considered to be in a healthy condition.
Local organisations such as the Wessex Rivers Trust are helping to reshape our local rivers to make them more resilient to climate change. They are:
Find out more about Wessex Rivers Trust. Or look at amazing footage of river life on their YouTube channel.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!