We’ve got 12 years to save Earth from the effects of climate change or we’ll be responsible for the death of our beautiful planet. It’s time the attractions industry stepped up and joined the fight to make a difference
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2019 issue 1
Bridget McKenzie – stepping up to make a difference
Could visitor attractions help save the planet, by educating people of all ages about climate change and – importantly – enlightening them about the actions they can take to prevent it? That’s the question Bridget McKenzie asked herself before setting out to create the Climate Museum (see page 80).
We know attractions sit at the heart of the education system, welcoming, teaching and enlightening millions of people around the world each year, so what could we make happen if we harnessed this power to save the world?
McKenzie believes we can make a difference and is crowdfunding an initiative to gather the resources needed to accelerate the development of the new attraction.
It will start as a pop-up – part exhibition, part training process – which can be hired by a museum, school, library or business and the plan is to grow from there.
“I see it as a workshop/campaign/training project where people can explore the subject and talk about their feelings and views,” says McKenzie. “Props and games will enable the conversation of how we can engage communities with climate change. Each pop-up will be targeted to the location: for example if it’s a low-lying area, a history of flooding can be brought into it.”
Importantly, the Climate Museum will harness the power of play to connect with visitors, but it will also be treated as a serious subject. Content will be graded to avoid frightening children and to ensure that the tougher messages reach the right audience.
McKenzie was inspired to start work on the project after meeting fellow industry professional Miranda Massie, who’s in the process of setting up a Climate Museum as a destination in New York and says it’s all part of a growing movement in the cultural sector take direct action in relation to climate change and make a difference.
In addition to educating people about change, attractions can do a huge amount to set an example, by adopting best practice in relation to things like accepting ethical sponsorship, switching to renewables or self-generation, encouraging visitors to arrive by public transport and cutting out plastic.
With the world in an accelerating climate crisis, it’s for us time to step up and play our part in finding solutions.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 1
We’ve got 12 years to save Earth from the effects of climate change or we’ll be responsible for the death of our beautiful planet. It’s time the attractions industry stepped up and joined the fight to make a difference
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2019 issue 1
Bridget McKenzie – stepping up to make a difference
Could visitor attractions help save the planet, by educating people of all ages about climate change and – importantly – enlightening them about the actions they can take to prevent it? That’s the question Bridget McKenzie asked herself before setting out to create the Climate Museum (see page 80).
We know attractions sit at the heart of the education system, welcoming, teaching and enlightening millions of people around the world each year, so what could we make happen if we harnessed this power to save the world?
McKenzie believes we can make a difference and is crowdfunding an initiative to gather the resources needed to accelerate the development of the new attraction.
It will start as a pop-up – part exhibition, part training process – which can be hired by a museum, school, library or business and the plan is to grow from there.
“I see it as a workshop/campaign/training project where people can explore the subject and talk about their feelings and views,” says McKenzie. “Props and games will enable the conversation of how we can engage communities with climate change. Each pop-up will be targeted to the location: for example if it’s a low-lying area, a history of flooding can be brought into it.”
Importantly, the Climate Museum will harness the power of play to connect with visitors, but it will also be treated as a serious subject. Content will be graded to avoid frightening children and to ensure that the tougher messages reach the right audience.
McKenzie was inspired to start work on the project after meeting fellow industry professional Miranda Massie, who’s in the process of setting up a Climate Museum as a destination in New York and says it’s all part of a growing movement in the cultural sector take direct action in relation to climate change and make a difference.
In addition to educating people about change, attractions can do a huge amount to set an example, by adopting best practice in relation to things like accepting ethical sponsorship, switching to renewables or self-generation, encouraging visitors to arrive by public transport and cutting out plastic.
With the world in an accelerating climate crisis, it’s for us time to step up and play our part in finding solutions.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 1
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
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