Developed by Vesper Hill in collaboration with the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, this is a free workshop resource that can be used either at in-person gatherings or online.
These tools are designed for use by groups or organisations who need to think actively about climate adaptation planning in community settings (e.g. local authorities, public health agencies, voluntary groups, etc.). Pam’s Story has also proved to be a useful resource for college students.
The workshop hinges around two audio recordings, which you can stream from Soundcloud using the links below. They represent two alternative versions of the near future (2048).
Pam is an ordinary woman living somewhere in the Yorkshire region. In the recordings, she describes the impacts of changing, severe weather in her community. The impacts described are based on plausible, mid-range projections for future climate change.
In the first version of the story – as it will be – nothing meaningful has been done to prepare Pam’s community for these possible climate impacts. As a result, she is desperate, and reaching the end of her tether.
In the second, alternative version – as it could be – the weather is the same but various adaptation measures have been put in place, to mitigate its impacts. Pam’s situation seems much better as a result.
The question for workshop groups, then, is whether the second scenario could be arrived at, if the right changes are implemented now. What changes might your group work towards, in its particular context?
Downloadable resources:
1. Facilitator Guide. This provides essential guidance. It should contain everything you to help you plan and deliver your own Pam’s Story workshop.
2. Pam’s Story powerpoint presentation. To give your workshop a visual focus, you might also find it useful to download and edit/adapt these slides.
3. Pam’s Story worksheet. Finally, participants might find this worksheet to be a useful guide and resource during your session.
Pam’s Story is a free resource, but we do try to keep track of who is using it. So please drop us a line with any questions or feedback you might have.
