Climate Action London is partnering with a number of local groups on a new online campaign, “Connect with the London Climate Plan,” which aims to gather 10,000 signatures from city residents interested in reducing their ecological footprint.
Last year, the City of London declared a climate emergency which prompted the publication of London’s Climate Emergency Action Plan. Mary Ann Hodge, co-founder of Climate Action London, realizes that this city document might be hard to digest for the average reader.
“We know this plan has 10 different areas of focus, it’s so big. It’s like a 136-page document. It’s so hard for people just to figure out how they can connect to it,” Hodge said.
According to the document, the city’s first area of focus is, “engaging, inspiring, and learning from people: increasing Londoners’ understanding of climate change, the need to act and fostering partnerships for action; moving from engaging to engaged.” Climate Action London’s new project intends to facilitate this sort of community collaboration.
During 2023, Connect with the London Climate Plan wants to acquire 10,000 “connections” from the public, which will be made via an online form on the Climate Action London website. Members of the public will also be able to join online community groups where they can exchange ideas, information, and questions among one another and with local environmental groups.
“It’s sort of the best of both worlds - it’s community coming together, but also an avenue to ask some of the experts,” Hodge added.
Lella Blumer, a resident of London, is eager to get other local residents involved with the effort.
“We need to be able to talk about climate change without it feeling uncomfortable for people, or that it’s too political. We need to make that commonplace," she said. "So, people need to be able to have a space to share their questions, share their knowledge that they have, and think critically about what’s going on around them.”
Marianne Griffith from the London Environmental Network is proud of her organization’s involvement in this effort. She says her team will continue working with London residents and businesses to reduce emissions “in order to reach London’s municipal targets of net zero by 2050.”
Connect with the London Climate Plan is an initiative rooted in equity, inclusion, and diversity. Luis Patricio from SDG Cities London, part of the Pillar Nonprofit Network, highlighted how social, economic, and environmental factors play into the conversation around climate change.
“The people who have the power to make the decisions and to reap most of the benefits are also the people who are causing the most environmental damage,” he said.
Patricio went on to explain how vulnerable groups such as Indigenous peoples and other racialized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental risks. His organization will work to ensure marginalized voices are centered during this campaign.
The overarching theme of Connect with the London Climate Plan is bringing the people of London together - no matter their background - to work toward a greater purpose.
“I think individually it feels overwhelming, when you’re confronted with some of the existential threats that climate change already poses. But when you come together with others, you do begin to feel a sense of connection and you feel hope that there is a way to address things,” said Reverend Josh Lawrence from First-St. Andrew’s United Church.
Lawrence stands behind Climate Action London’s goal of getting 10,000 people to commit to local environmental efforts. He invited other faith leaders, like himself, to join in on the project.
“We believe in stewardship and covenant - both of those imply relationship and responsibility. The only way we’re going to be able to do something about this and have an impact is to resource-share and come together,” he added.
Those interested in participating in this effort can visit the Climate Action London website to leave their signature.