Left to the community

Published: 3 December, 2010

• AS the Coalition continues to cut public services we all hold dear, times are definitely going to get tougher. The economy is taking centre stage, and quite rightly, but there is a real risk of forgetting everything else completely.

Taking action on climate change is arguably more important than it was this time last year, yet everyone has gone silent. 

It’s not so surprising when the world’s leaders can’t even sit in the same room together, let alone agree on a plan of action. What hope does this week’s UN climate conference really have? But this should not stop us doing something at a local level.

It’s as a community that we can really make a difference – not just to the climate but to our local area, our own quality of life and our own wallets. 

Like other low-carbon community groups across north London, Transition Finsbury Park is bringing neighbours together to grow food, reduce domestic heating bills or just have a chat. Good for the environment, good for wellbeing and good for the finances. The recession should not stop us but motivate us.

We don’t need world leaders to find a silver bullet to solve climate change, we have the answer on our doorstep. And it’s not just about climate change, it’s about community. Who wouldn’t like to know their neighbour? Have a street party? Eat food you’ve grown yourself?

Transition Finsbury Park has organised an evening of action, bringing groups together from across London to see how we can do more at a community level, and how we can get local and national government to support us. 

Please join us on December 16 at London’s SouthBank Centre and see what role you can play. For more details see transition finsburypark.org.uk/ConfrontingChange. 

PASCOE SABIDO
Environmental researcher/
advocacy officer, 
Transition Finsbury Park