Local people are being inspired to step up and help tackle the climate crisis right here in Ealing.

In the run up to COP26, Ealing Council put out a call to residents and businesses to help recognise “climate leaders” across the borough.  These climate leaders are now taking practical steps to cut carbon emissions and make the borough a greener place through a range of different positive actions – from community food growing, to upcycling clothes and promoting biodiversity.

Ealing’s climate leaders are individuals, business owners, community leaders, or anyone else who has found innovative and inclusive ways to fight climate change as part of their everyday life.

‘Great work across the borough’

The COP 26 summit is currently taking place in Glasgow to tackle the climate crisis by reaching an agreement every country can get behind and limiting the warming of the planet to 1.5 degrees, which scientists predict could avoid the most catastrophic consequences.

It is also a great time for everyone to think about what action they could take as individuals to help secure a greener future.

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action said: “I am sure that COP 26 has inspired many people to take a more active role in tackling the climate crisis.

“There are so many steps you can take that can make a difference. A great place to start is our local climate action hub, ActForEaling, which has tips and advice to help to make these positive changes.

“As a council we are putting tackling the climate emergency at the forefront of our commitments to residents. Whether it is retrofititng council homes, expanding our cycle network or planting 37,000 trees the action set out in our ambitious climate strategy is making a difference.

“We cannot do it alone and an ongoing partnership with residents and community organisations is proving vital. That is why it is hugely encouraging to see so many climate leaders doing great work across the borough and making a difference on a local level.

“We know there is so much more to as we look to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 but we also need support from government. I hope COP26 will see new powers and funding for councils like Ealing so that we can make a real difference locally.”

The borough’s climate leaders

Be inspired by Ealing’s Climate Leaders, and discover how you can take your own action to tackle the climate crisis by exploring the links below:

• ARTification – Edible Acton, a local charity providing opportunities for artists, food growers and much more, thanks to regular market events held at North Acton Pavilion
• Dina Tsuro, who runs Building Bridges, an organisation working with local communities including schools to create gardens for children and teach them valuable skills on how to care for a garden
• Ruby Richardson, also of the Building Bridges project, who volunteers as the garden monitor, watering crops and taking care of the pruning and gardening of the plants
• Barry Bassett, a local businessman who has made a commitment to become a net zero contributor by 2030 in his business of hiring out digital camera packages to production companies
• Natasha Gavin, who has started I Know why its Yum Mum, her own social enterprise to fight climate change and tackle childhood obesity through healthy eating, recycling and growing more vegetables
• Trevor Sharman, of the Ealing Transition, a community group addressing the challenge of climate change on a local level, through projects including installing solar technology in schools, planting orchards, bee keeping, gardening and clothing repair  
• Kitty Mitchell, of IMperfect Creative Cooking, an organisation which provides fresh home-cooked food made from ‘imperfect’ ingredients and has served almost 1,000 meals to local people so far
• Nyasha and Diya Tsuro, who have both recently turned vegetarian and have created a YouTube channel, Cooking Kids, dedicated to teaching children how to cook vegetarian dishes that benefit the environment

• Mary Horesh, founder of the Ealing Repair Café, which encourages people to value clothing by giving them practical skills to reuse, recycle or repurpose clothes rather than discarding them

• Tom Kerry, Ealing’s Running Mayor, who inspires the community to make running and volunteering part of their everyday lives

• Enid Barron, who works to promote environmental issues within her local church as well as outside of it. She played an integral role in arranging for churches across the country to record and reduce their carbon emissions

• Sue Charlton, who is also connected with St Stephens Church in Ealing and leads a growing number of campaigns and causes where climate change impacts communities both locally and abroad

• Wilda Haddad, of the outlet Dina Foods, who has been working to ensure the business works towards net zero targets and use more locally sourced food.
  

Email the council’s climate action team at climateaction@ealing.gov.uk to find out more about becoming a climate leader.