Helen Tandy, Founding Director Eco Communities
My son turns 30 next year and I feel very old. My journey into climate action started around his birth, long before it was a mainstream conversation. Years later, watching a new generation take to the streets in the Greta Thunberg era, something reignited in me, and I went deeper into family climate action than I ever expected to. Look at the photos below from the Fridays for Future Climate Strike and March, this was one where the adults were invited and we had speakers on the townhall steps. Looking back at the crowds we had – what happened to all that support.
Youth strikes (Fridays for Future) still exist but at a fraction of their former scale, the September 2019 “Global Week for Future” we took part in in Chester pulled in around 6–7 million people across more than 100 countries, the peak moment for the global climate movement.
So when I look at the disbelief and apathy still out there today, so close to his 30th birthday, it’s hard to take. Three decades of thinking about future generations, and here we still are.
Friday for Future 2019 Outside Chester Townhall
Climate March 2019 Chester
The trouble with the news
I’ll be honest, I don’t watch much news. I find it rarely gives me anything worth watching. I do read it, though, and I wish mainstream media did more around the real issues that matter. We need more voices in the media who can actually engage people the way the best communicators have always managed to, cutting through noise instead of adding to it.
My way: small, local, and in my control
I’m not waiting for the media to fix that. My way is working locally, doing the things I can actually control. They’re small actions, yes — but lots of us doing small things still adds up to something real. What did I learn about this week and how I remain hopeful….
A great conversation about renewables
I had a brilliant chat with one of my Castlefield clients this week about wind power in the UK and the growing employee-ownership model in renewables. We talked about Octopus Energy and its genuinely inspirational leadership, and about Thrive Renewables and the work they’re doing to put community at the centre of clean energy.
That tied into conversations I’ve been having with a local community solar project and Energy Clubs. I think community solar — done right, with lower-price energy that actually benefits local people, could be a real part of the answer. We’ve been asked to run an Energy Club, and I’m still reading, learning, and figuring out whether we are a good fit to help. I am always learning something new. Those of you in the Community Energy space might be aware but I wasn’t. We are in Community Energy Fortnight running from 1–14 July. This year’s Fortnight is supported by SP Energy Networks, Thrive Renewables, and Ethex, whose commitment helps power the growing community energy movement. Check out Community Energy England – Community Energy England – The voice of the community energy sector
A word on leadership (and yes, I know I don’t “do” politics)
People who know me know politics isn’t my thing. But I want to say this: I’ve been a huge supporter of what Andy Burnham has done for the green agenda in Greater Manchester and for business — the Manchester Green Summit he set up gave real, sustained backing to the climate agenda in a way I’ve rarely seen from political leadership.
His departure as Mayor will be a real loss for Greater Manchester, and I do worry about what comes next for the region, and for Cheshire and Warrington too as we devolve next year. But politics tends to think short-term, and climate change needs every party to think long-term. I thought, once, that we might get there. I’m less sure now. The real question is how we come together, not politically, but for our children’s future — and actually name the changes we need.
The next generation is already here
What made my week, though, was hearing from Chloe at Parents For Future Cheshire. An organisation I haven’t come across before Parents For Future was actually set up in 2019, with over 30 groups in the UK. Chloe set up the Cheshire arm. My path started when my son was young; and it’s genuinely wonderful to see new organisations picking up that same thread for their own kids. I hope to properly catch up with Chloe soon and hope we can work together in Cheshire. Follow @parentsforfuturecheshire on Instagram and the main organisation @parentsforfuture_uk Read more about them and see the resources they have on the website – Resources – Parents for Future
I love going into schools, sustainability careers days, plastic-free workshops — and we’re now looking at bringing Refill into schools as a retail shop experience, so kids can see and touch what a plastic-free choice actually looks like.
Today, you can take action
I’m still hopeful. Hopeful that enough of us want change, that we’ll make changes at home, sign petitions, talk to family and friends, and vote for it.
Take the negative headlines and turn them into something positive. Your way doesn’t need to look like mine, or like Chloe’s. But it’s worth reading a little more, and finding what works for you.
From cradle to classroom, from my generation to Chloe’s toddlers — this is a relay, not a sprint. Pick up the baton wherever you are.
Next week I have a meeting about the Energy Club, I’m working with Abby who has just set up her own business Salt Mule, a Creative & Digital Agency for Purpose-Led Brands on bring the Better Business Network Breakfast Networking to Chester. More on that soon with a first event hopefully in September. A meeting about our Green Hospitality Network and more projects with University of Chester relating to that are being worked on. Then networking at Chester Business Club and Chester Brunch Club, to promote our Full Circle project to more people in the region.
If you want some idea of what you could do locally do get in touch – office@sustainablecheshire.uk
