The Carbon Literacy Project started 10 years ago with the mission of making citizens aware of climate change, and the climate impacts of mankind’s everyday actions.
As of today, over 43,000 individuals from over 3,900 organisations in 17 counties are Carbon Literate, and organisations of all shapes and sizes have shown commitment to developing the knowledge and awareness of their workforce by delivering Carbon Literacy Training to employees and stakeholders, becoming accredited Carbon Literate Organisations.
Up until now, (as far as we are aware) there hasn’t been a course specifically designed for the brewing industry, and so Lewis Colley and I set out to change that by designing a course just for brewers.
I came across Carbon Literacy through a presentation from SAIL – Sustainable Arts In Leeds, from another organisation pushing for positive change. Their course takes learners through a brilliant learning journey of the science of climate change how arts organisations can use their platform to draw focus to climate change issues that might seem distant and far away. One case study that stuck with me was artist Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Ice Watch’ installation outside the Tate Modern where visitors were invited to observe first hand glacial ice from Greenland slowly melt away. (Image source)
Through the accredited course we have developed, we hope to show that beer, brewing and hospitality have a similar opportunity. One example we show is New Belgium Brewing‘s Fat Tire Torched Earth Ale, brewed using the ingredients that will be left if we don’t divert the course our planet is on. Check out the video below for a short taste (spoiler alert: it got a 2.8 on untappd):
It was really important that instead of being all doom and gloom, we present the positive outcomes, the promising opportunities and the great work already being done. A key aspect of the course is demonstrating that the actions of individuals, however small are significant in their own right and collectively contribute to the overall change that is needed.
Through a half day training session and online self learning module, learners will cover:
- The threats climate change presents to the hospitality and brewing industry,
- The links between human action and climate change,
- The international, local and industry response to climate change, including how to get involved and take action.
All learners who complete the course will receive a certificate from the Carbon Literacy Project demonstrating their knowledge and commitment to reduce their carbon emissions. Studies have shown learners go on to reduce their carbon footprint by as much as 15% after becoming Carbon Literate.
The course goes by the name 86-Carbon, as a reference to the bar call for going out of stock. We hope to be part of a world where Carbon emissions are 86’d from an industry we love as much as possible.
We regularly hold open sessions in towns and cities around the country but if you are interested in hearing about group sessions for 15 or more learners, please do get in touch at chris@86-carbon.co.uk