A Relaunch fit for the Post Pandemic World
by Sydney Charles
Haringey Council took a vital step in declaring a State of Emergency in March 2019, and announced its Climate Change Action Plan A Route Map for a Zero Carbon Haringey, that was finally approved in March 2021. Many local residents and groups actively concerned with climate change, have been working to support the Council in this, and where necessary hold it to account.
As far back as 2012 the Council had created a ‘40:20’ programme (meaning 40% carbon reduction by 2020). Considerable work was undertaken, involving some leading climate change experts in the UK, but also local activists. (Click here for the results – many seem just as relevant today.)
The 40:20 group, in which local climate groups had for some years been working with councillors and officials, came to be renamed the Haringey Climate Forum (HCF). As the climate and ecological emergencies get closer the HCF needs strengthening. New groups have sprung up of concerned people, and new evidence of climate change has enhanced the sense of urgency – the ice caps have been melting, forests and tundras have been burning, flooding has affected millions and now Covid is bringing ‘normal’ life to an abrupt halt. Yet, since 2012, the UK Government has continued to support fossil fuel extraction and its austerity measures have made it even more difficult for local authorities to devote resources to green actions.
What has the relaunched Haringey Climate Forum done so far? The new website has been updated and relaunched, with a host of new topics on local issues and Council actions. It’s well worth taking a look at it here.
The mailing list has been upgraded and an initial Steering Group has been formed. It is time to be more ambitious, and to include environmental damage to the natural world and pollution into the mix.
The idea is to harness the power of all the local community groups in Haringey to make the HCF a trusted source of information about environmental issues and Haringey aspects, and provide an effective interface between these groups and the Council to exchange ideas and information and enable joint action. Individuals can sign up to the HCF, and so can groups they belong to – including faith groups, residents’ associations, allotments, schools, all political parties – the more HCF can reach out to all Haringey residents, the more it can increase understanding and action.
Meanwhile, Haringey Council is incorporating its Climate Change Action Plan into the mandatory new Haringey Plan. You can follow engagement with the process here.
To be effective in reaching Haringey residents much more social media activity is needed to grab attention and encourage informed engagement. We are encouraging our readers to join up here for emails and to offer to give their time and help.