Will the last poor person turn the light off please? Proposals to make a change

Disadvantaged Communities No real engagement in policy, scientific or philosophical debates around climate change Often passive recipients of poor policy and delivery Often using disproportionate amounts of disposal income to pay for utilities

We can make a difference by: raising communities' awareness of climate change and giving them power By for example using community engagement in green spaces to raise awareness about climatic change and the role individuals can play - e.g. reducing energy waste, water use, offsetting. Activity and events in urban green spaces could be used to educate and convey information about climatic change which could result in changes in behaviour. This is not about the science, the philosophy or what appear to many in poor urban areas spurious debates about “was the world hot in 1760 and it’s just a cycle” It is based on some basic agreed principles:

What we know…… We use too much We throw away too much We don’t use what we throw away well Energy is increasingly expensive Water is increasingly scarce The most disadvantaged are disproportionately affected by climate change We appear to apply environmental standards to all that is new (build, location, design) but most of us live in places that are old, inefficient and make up the vast proportion of the challenges we are facing – let’s do something about that……….

We can make a difference by: raising communities' capacity to respond to the challenge of climate change by helping shift peoples' behaviour, and also to strengthen the voice of communities who may be disproportionately affected by climate change. Introducing the concept of environmental justice. support people to change their lifestyles to become more environmentally friendly (e.g. through Every Action Counts, Carbon Crime Stoppers); providing a forum for activity to help people improve their local environment (e.g. through working on environmental regeneration projects with local organisations);

We can make a difference by: influencing and improving the quality of the public realm Working with people in their area to ensure they are well-planned, safe and appealing could encourage people to walk or cycle rather than use cars for short journeys. This would help reduce carbon emissions. Similarly use of allotments and community gardens to grow fruit and vegetables could help reduce food miles, albeit on a relatively modest scale. Greening the local environment will also help communities to cope with the likely effects of climate change, by providing shade, urban cooling, water management, absorption of pollutants, combined heat and power and recreational opportunities. The activity also builds community.

It doesn’t have to be a history of HEMP! On the other side of community activity there is social enterprise It can be green and of quality It can be entrepreneurial and support communities It can be innovative and creative It can effect change

London’s first Eco Restaurant Sustainable Ethical Driven by the Third Sector Changing the way the industry works Winner Observer Monthly Award “Best Newcomer 2007

What Next in Shoreditch? A climate Change Community Development of CHP Earth sheltered swimming pool Community Land Trust A green laundry A green street market Acorn House Orsman Road Café A smoke free Shoreditch Lights out over Shoreditch Green procurement guide Car Sharing Scheme A zero carbon Shoreditch? Adopt “Carbon Crime Stoppers” initiative