'It's about listening to us,' Brent youngsters' message on facing the challenge of climate change together - video

 

 

Roots of Brent Video: Don't let climate change affect our young people

 

 

A brilliant  youth-led documentary produced by Nadia Khan, Climate Action Partnerships Manager at Brent Council, is now available on YouTube and shows a wide range of inspiring community action on climate change in the borough:

Roots of Brent – A youth-led climate documentary. Young people in Brent take the spotlight in the fight against climate change with "Roots of Brent", a powerful documentary showcasing their experiences and local climate action. Premiered at the Brent Climate Showcase (20 Feb 2025), this film highlights the incredible efforts shaping a greener future. 

 

Supported by Brent Council’s climate action programme & sponsored by FM Conway

Educators making an impact with the Zero Carbon Schools programme

 

 

14 teachers from Brent schools recently completed 'carbon literacy' training run by Brent Council. LINK

 

The above video and the Impact Report shows the value of work carried out by  the Green Schools Project  in schools across the country:

 

Last academic year was our biggest and best yet at Green Schools Project. Consequently, this Impact Report is our most comprehensive to date, and we’re really proud of it!

 

Here are a few of our highlights:

 

• 115 schools and 4,677 pupils across the UK took part in our Zero Carbon Schools programme last year.
• 98% of teachers and 90% of pupils would recommend the programme to others.
• 95% of teachers agree that their pupils feel more positive about their role in tackling climate change as a result of Zero Carbon Schools.
• 95% of teachers said that Zero Carbon Schools had influenced their school’s response to climate change.
• Schools reduced their carbon emissions by an average of 27 tonnes where we have year-on-year data.

 

We firmly believe that this shows the power of our work to transform the way that schools and young people respond to climate change. 

 

What next?

 

We are always keen to talk to organisations in our network about how they can partner with us to support climate education and sustainability in schools.

 

If after reading this Impact Report you are interested in collaborating, I’d love to have a conversation, and now is a great time to get in touch.

 

info@greenschoolsproject.org.uk

Sadiq Khan: I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport

 

Brent teachers empowered to take on the climate action challenge in their schools

 Some good news from Brent Council:

Teachers from fourteen Brent schools have completed carbon literacy training, empowering them to lead the charge on climate action in their classrooms and beyond.

Funded by Brent Council as part of its climate action programme, schools including Anson Primary, Fryent Primary, and Gladstone Park Primary* now have teaching staff armed with the knowledge and tools to drive positive change within their schools.

These environmentally savvy educators are well equipped to teach climate change as part of the curriculum, using practical resources provided as part of the training to share vital knowledge with their students. They are ready to plant the seeds of change by leading eco-friendly practices across school operations, as well as training and empowering a wider network of teachers at their school.

This cohort of trained teachers said the course boosted their confidence around starting conversations with children, parents and colleagues, allowing them to approach climate action discussions in a more inclusive and constructive way. One said, “I now have greater confidence in discussing climate change, connecting young people with green spaces, and feeling empowered to make a difference.”

Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power, said:

It’s fantastic to see our local teachers leading the way in climate action. By empowering educators, we are building a sustainable future for Brent and inspiring the next generation to care for our planet.

This training is part of Brent Council’s commitment to sustainability and its goal to support schools on their path to sustainability and environmental stewardship. 20 Brent primary schools have recently signed up to the pioneering Our Schools, Our World programme, demonstrating their commitment to integrate sustainability as a whole school approach and lead the way for schools across the country.

For the latest local environmental news, sign up to the Brent Environmental Network e-newsletter.

*Full list of schools that received teacher training: Anson Primary, Fryent Primary, Gladstone Park Primary, Harlesden Primary, Kingsbury High, Mount Stewart, Roe Green Juniors, Salusbury Primary, St Claudine's Catholic School for Girls, St Gregory’s Catholic Science College, St Mary’s CofE Primary, St Robert Southwell Primary, Sinai Jewish Primary and Sudbury Primary.

Brent Faces of Climate Change

 

 If you missed today's Climate Action Take Over at the Kiln Thetare in Kilburn I have posted the film that was shown above.

 

Roots of Brent: Climate Heritage Walk Saturday June 1st

 From Church End and Roundwood Environmental Network

We will be visiting sites in Brent where the community are taking climate action. Their efforts are contributing to a cleaner, greener Brent, as well as help us to reach net zero carbon emissions in Brent by 2030. Sites for this tour will include:

· Church Road Greening Projects

· Harlesden Town Gardens

· Nature Connects Centre, Roundwood Park

· Nillys Flowers, Park Parade

We will end the event with a plant based & vegetarian lunch (provided by Nillys Flowers, Harlesden) with special talk about sustainable food by Nureen Glaves, Feed Me Good

Places are limited so please sign up as soon as possible.

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roots-of-brent-tickets-895297969327

Pam Laurance steps up to try to answer all those questions about doing your bit on climate change but were afraid to ask - Chalkhill Radio, Saturday 10am-11am.

 

 

No, it's not about legalising drugs but a chat with Brent Friends of the Earth's Pam Laurance who will be tackling some of those thorny questions people find themselves  asking (or being asked) when it comes to taking action on climate change. 

What do we think about cutting down on flying when many people in Brent want to keep in touch with family back in their home countries and attend important weddings and funerals? Should you ration holidays by air or stop completely - particularly when it can be such a hassle? Stop short-haul?

Many people are changing their eating habits to cut down on meat and significant numbers of people, especially in the north of the borough area, are already vegetarian, what are the pros and cons of a vegetarian or vegan diet?  How should you start to change your diet and how does it work with changing the diet of a young family keen on fast food?

I am sure that driving (including the school run and shopping), low traffic neighbourhoods, reducing air pollution, cycling and much else will be raised by listeners.

Pam will be asked to choose a record to be played on the show. Speculation is rife about which song she will choose but I don't think it will be this one.

https://www.chalkhillcommunityradio.com/

BREAKING: NATIONAL TRUST DON'T TRUST TRUSS

Released today:

Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, said:

The National Trust has a long history of standing up for nature and our countryside, from our founders' campaigns to protect the Lake District to Operation Neptune in the 1960s. We've shaped and advocated for greater protections for nature and heritage throughout our long history, safeguarding the landscapes that make this country so special. 

It is this spirit that I am writing today. We are at a crucial moment for our natural environment. Nature is in decline and we need bold action on climate change. These concerns are shared by the public: poll upon poll show that further ambition on Net Zero and nature are widely supported.

Rather than ramp up action to support our environment, this Government appears however to be heading in the opposite direction. Environmental protections are dismissed as 'burdens', whilst investment and growth are pitted against nature and climate action. 

The new Investment Zones represent a free-for-all for nature and heritage, yet we know that green spaces and beauty are vital to attract investment and for a good quality of life. Likewise a rumoured return to EU-style land subsidies will squander one of the biggest Brexit opportunities for nature, fatally undermining improvements to the nature, soil and water upon which sustainable food production depends

The Trust will always defend protections for nature and heritage, and we will respond in full to any proposals. The UK has led the way in recent years on environment action - from farm subsidy reform to COP26. It mustn't abandon this for our future's sakes.

Brent FoE hit the LDO with climate change message

 

From Brent Friends of the Earth

We had a great afternoon with the Brent FoE stall in the sunshine at the London Designer Outlet, near the Brent Civic Centre on Sunday. Some re-elected and newly elected councillors were among the volunteers running the event.

 

We engaged with adults and children, using our bunting flags to get pledges and demands from members of the public. The bunting was hung on the railings of the children's playground behind the stall, and later transferred to fencing around a building site in Neasden, where it would be seen by people at the nearby bus stop. 

 

We also had some lively contact with people using our 'fortune-teller' gizmos, which opened up, after people made their choices, to give some advice on what people could do about climate change. 

We handed out a lot of our newly printed 'Climate Crisis - What you can do' trifold leaflets.Click bottom right corner for full page version.

 

 

For the sake of the planet 'STOP FUNDING FOSSIL FUELS!' climate activists tell Barclays Bank

 

Considering it was a cold weekday lunchtime, a large group of climate activists turned up to  a demonstration outside the Cricklewood Broadway branch of Barclays to urge the bank to stop funding fossil fuels - investments that escalate climate change.  Customers were urged to change their bank accounts to m ore ethical banks if Barclays continued to collude in the destruction of the planet.

 

The demonstration organised by Brent Friends of the Earth was supported by Brent Trades Council, Divest Brent from Fossil Fuels, a cross-party and non-party group of climate activists, and Cllrs Lia Colacicco, Janice Long and Orleen Hylton.

 

 Cllr Colacicco with Cllr Janice Long

 

Useful customer information

Ian Saville of Brent Friends of the Earth makes the case against Barclays Bank

(Video by Ryan Hack)

 

Several older passersby recalled the days when they boycotted Barclays Bank because of its financial support for South African apartheid and promised to review their use of the bank.

London-Glasgow COP26 'Walk for the Planet' will go from Kilburn to Harrow on September 6th - you can join for the day

 

Click on image for interactive version

A 'People's Walk for the Planet' will pass through Brent and Harrow on Monday September 6th. Details are still being finalised but it appears places for long-distance walkers with accommodation are full. However day-walkers are welcome and the distance of 9.7 miles will take you through some of our green spaces including the Welsh Harp and Fryent Country Park.

The organisers say:

XR Faith Bridge is an interfaith alliance across a broad spectrum from established religions to those who are spiritual but not religious.

 

We are united by our faith; a faith that we can advocate and influence and be the change that we want for our world. We choose to walk to COP26 as a practice of that faith, an act of connection with the earth on which we walk and the people with whom we walk and the communities through which we pass; and we make our way in kinship with the peoples and creatures of the earth who are suffering and displaced by climate and ecological breakdown. We do so peacefully and lawfully, ready to engage and learn, because we care and we have hope.

Details of the route will be updated HERE

An information pack is available HERE

Show you are tackling climate change if you want a Brent Council contract

 Brent Council Press Release

Businesses will need to show how they are tackling climate change and working towards zero carbon emissions by 2030 when bidding for Brent Council contracts under new procurement rules introduced this week.

 

The council’s new Procurement Sustainability Policy aims to utilise Brent’s huge purchasing power by requiring potential new suppliers to demonstrate how they tackle the climate crisis by reducing carbon emissions and waste; minimising the use of resources; promoting the circular economy; improving air quality; and enhancing green spaces and biodiversity.

 

All applicable tenders will now include a sustainability assessment to identify how they will reduce Brent’s environmental impact and support sustainability commitments, which will form part of legally binding contracts awarded to successful bidders.

 

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: 

 

The council spends around £400 million every year on goods and services, so we have a great opportunity to use this spending power to make Brent greener and get closer to zero carbon emissions.

 

This is about us putting our money where our mouth is. Improving environmental sustainability through the suppliers we work with is essential if we are going reach the ambitious targets we have set ourselves. By working together, we can all make a difference, and create a greener borough for everyone.

 

The Procurement Sustainability Policy links into the council’s Procurement Strategy 2020-2023 priorities to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits for Brent.

 

•             Procurement Sustainability Policy

•             Procurement Strategy 2020-2023

A Beginner's Guide to the Climate Emergency...How travel is changing to beat climate change - May 20th

 

FROM BRENT COUNCIL

From electric cars to cycle super-highways, the way we travel has been changing for a while. But what might travel look like in years to come, as we rise to the challenge of climate change? Has lockdown sped up these changes, and how are local projects getting communities walking and cycling more?

From global trends to local initiatives that are smashing barriers and helping people out of their cars. Join our expert speakers from 6pm on Thursday 20 May as they share their no-nonsense guide to help you make sense of the climate emergency.

In A Beginner’s Guide to the Climate Emergency… How travel is changing to beat climate change you’ll hear from four speakers, and have the chance to follow up with any burning questions:

• Professor Nick Tyler – UCL and Co-investigator of Liveable Cities, a project looking at how to engineer low carbon UK cities

• Vieve Ford – Director of JoyRiders, a London-based organisation empowering women through cycling

• Carolyn Axtell – Community Organiser, #CarFreeLondon campaigner and Founder of JoyRiders

• Mark Falcon – Chair of Clean Air for Brent, a local coalition raising awareness about air pollution

 

Register here: https://a-beginners-guide-to-the-climate-emergency.eventbrite.co.uk

Support for trade unionism wins through at Green Party Conference

 

Two vital motions were passed at Green Party Conference today with overwhelming majorities:

 

Winning Over Workers is Crucial to Fighting Climate Change

 

To win the fight against climate change the GPEW needs to link up with workers and trade unions to promote a Just Transition to a sustainable green economy. The GPEW needs to send the message that it supports workers. 

 

Motion 

 

The Green Party of England & Wales (GPEW) believes that winning over workers and Trade Unions is crucial if we are to have any chance to fight climate change and save the planet. In the UK, 6.35 million people (23.4% of employees) are members of the trade unions as well as millions who want to be in trade unions but are pressured not to. 

 

The GPEW need to win as many of these people to the idea of a Just Transition to a green economy. To not take this seriously would be a serious mistake in the struggle to save the planet. 

 

The position of Trade Union Liaison Officer was agreed by Conference a number of years ago and GPEW does have a good record of active support of workers struggles and supports the repeal of anti-Trade Union Laws. The development of Green New Deals and Just Transition in the trade union movement reflects this progress. So, it would be very concerning if the party is now seen to relegate workers. Removing the TULO position and/or not including the Green Party Trade Union group would suggest that workers are seen as not being important in our work. 

 

Action:

 

That the GPEW builds on the position of the Trade Union Liaison Officer (TULO) and the Green Party Trade Union group in any reorganisation mandated by its own democratic procedures. 

 

That the GPEW ensures that workers and a Just Transition are centre stage in policy formation in respect to our number one remit to save the planet and building the green economy. 

 

 

Emergency Motion on Pay Rise for NHS Health and Care Workers

 

The government proposed 1% pay rise for NHS staff is correctly being described as ‘a kick in the teeth’ and ‘an insult’ by workers and their unions (4/3/2021). NHS workers have often reached beyond their contractual duties to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, at great personal risk and sacrifice.

 

With NHS staff nearing the end of a 3-year pay deal, this conference resolves to support the Moving Forwards on NHS Pay campaign led by fourteen trade unions (including Unite, Unison, GMB, RCN) representing over 1.3 million members, to secure a fair pay rise for all health service workers. We believe if the government can award lucrative contracts to ministerial cronies, it can afford a decent pay award for health workers.

 

This conference also resolves to support the demands of the grassroots NHS Workers Say No to Public Sector Pay Inequality and Nurses United campaigns, including a restorative 15% pay rise across the board for all NHS workers on ‘Agenda for Change’ contracts and for outsourced services in the NHS to be brought back in house.

 

Conference urges Green Party spokespeople and councillors to support the fight for a fair pay rise for health service workers, and to make links with these campaigns locally, regionally and nationally. We urge Green Party members to engage actively with NHS workers’ independent trade unions in supporting these campaigns.

 

We instruct our MP, Peers and Leaders to write to the NHS Pay Review Body and make it clear that applause is not enough.

Vital Zoom Webinar on Climate Crisis and Education - September 13th

Good to see my union continuing to focus on climate change, pedagogy and curriculum despite  having to deal with the twists and turns of government guidance for the September school start and the lack of an effective test, track and trace system.

I met people from Rethinking Schools when researching for my MA in Urban Education during a trip to the United States  in the '80s and attended their conference that united educatators, parents and community activists. They do brilliant work and it is amazing amazing that they are still going decades later.

How Brent is coping with the Covid crisis and planning for the future

Hover over bottom line and click on right hand corner for full size version

Thanks to Dr Jonathan Flaxman for permission to post this presentation on Covid19

There were several strands to last night's Brent TUC meeting on Covid 19 zoom meeting: an awareness that Brent was one of the worst affected areas in the country, the disproportionate number of black and ethnic minority people who have lost their lives to Covid, a lack of faith in the government's ability to manage the crisis and a fear of a second wave of infections and deaths because of a premature relaxation of lockdown. On the positive side early ordering of personal protective equipment for care home workers by Brent Council and the return of infected care home residents to a special facility, rather than directly to the care home, had limited care home deaths in Brent. Many were keen to learn lessons from the crisis and rather than a return to old ways to support the 'Build Back Better' movement to put in place a better society which respects and values the public sector and retains some of the benefits of lockdown such as cleaner air and community cohesion.

Dr Jonathan Flaxman a retired GP and member of the National Covid Assessment Unit set the scene with the above Power Point presentation.

He was followed by Simon Hester, formerly of the Health and Safety Executive and now Haringey Trades Council, who spoke of workers' rights under the Employment Rights Act to remove themselves from danger. The government had moved the goal posts on construction workers, first insisting on a 2 metre social spacing, then relaxed that to a 15 minute limit on working in proximity to a co-worker, and followed that to approval of co-working as long as masks are worn.  The ability of the HSE to inspect construction site working for compliance has been severely limited by government cuts - there are only 20 inspectors to cover the whole of London.  The only alternative was for workers to organise collectively in order to protect themselves. Haringey TUC had set up a Covid Action Network.

Cllr Krupesh Hirani, Brent Cabinet member for Public Health, Culture and Leisure, said that at the beginning of the crisis Brent had the highest death rate. Croydon and Newham in London are high at present and rates in the North of England are mounting. On 8th May the figures for Brent stood at  446 deaths of which 362 were in hospital and 37 in care homes.  The R rate (spreading of infection) is now lower in London and there are prospects of regional variation in relaxation of the lockdown. The disproportionate rates for BAME residents are under investigation and will be followed up by public health outreach work in the community. Likely factors are deprivation, diet and physical activity. The major issue arising out of the crisis for the council would be the impact on its finances with the government backtracking on early compensation commitments.

Cat Cray of the RMT, a train driver, said that a survey had found that Londoner's had the pooresr knowledge of government guidance on Covis19 in the country.  There had been 4 deaths of London Underground workers - all black males. In response RMT had been able to have mitigation put in place.  There have been 8 incidents of spitting at staff by the public.  London has the lowest proportion of car owners in the country so are reliant on public transpoirt. Underground workers that going above 15% capacity on the tube will be unsafe for passengers. The withdrawal of concessionary fares was outright discrimination.

Lesley Stanfield of the GMB  spoke about the national situation regarding care homes and how the government had acted too late. She reminded people that most care homes are 'for profit' and this was the case in Brent. As a consequence workers were low paid. Many care hoem staff had not bee given PPE or that which was given was rationed. She said that there had been constructive work with other unions over school workers and that it was important that headteachers consulted with their staff. She was fearful about about mental health issues airsing from the crisis.

Sonia Morgan, a bus driver said that after deaths of bus drivers, protective measures had been put in place, isolating the driver from passengers.  There is now no swiping and the public are enjoying free travel but swiping is being introduced on the 'Boris' buses which have centre doors with swipe facilites. Currently TfL are running a Sunday service on most routes but the 98 is nownormal service and 260 will be normal from Saturday.

Jenny Cooper from Brent NEU spoke about the union's 5 tests to be met before safe re-opening of schools. These had not been met as cases were still not low enough and there was no detail on how 'test, track, isolate'  would be implemented in schools and no guidance from Brent Council.  Testing of staff had not been fully estabished and some teachers had been waiting for more than two weeks for results,  There was no proper plan to protect BAME school staff.  The union was adopting a 'safety first' approach and some schools had put back wider re-openung until June 8th or June 15th.

Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North said he supported the education unions' 5 tests and said that there was no compulsion for schools to go back until it ws safe to do so. He congratulated Brent Council on ordering PPE for care homes in February resulting in the second lowest care home death rate in London. On the furlough scheme he said that no one should be receiving less than the London Living Wage.  He had written to the Home Secerary about the plight of families not entitled to support from public funds and had heard that applications will now be considred. The government had not been following the science from the beginning - in fact they had asked what they should do after early failures and were still not following the advice,

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, said she was worried about a second peak in Brent - people were at risk as soon as they left the front door.  Harlesden with its high rate of infection was to be a pilot for testing, including testing for anti-bodies, with a centre in Robson Avenue. There was a huge time delay at present between having a test and getting a result, a rapid reponse was vital for effective implementation of track and trace,  She was concerned about rents, including for small businesses, domestic violence and post-Covid mental health provision for adults and children.

In discussion about the situation after Covid (the 'new normal') Pam Laurance of Brent Friends of the Earth said that people did not want to go back to pre-Covid times. She wanted to see investment in a Green New Deal. Dawn Butler supported this and said that bailing out companies such as aviation should be conditional.  Dawn was supporting action to ensure that people in Brent would have access to face coverings.

Barry Gardiner said that the Covid crisis would pale into insignificance compared with what we would face in the climate change crisis. It was important to move towards 'Building Back Better' post Covid. He said that it was not just a question of aviation companies being required not to pay dividiends or  go go off-shire but of taking an equity stake in them as had been done with banks in the credit crisis (there was disagreement over this in the 'chat' column with some feeling that this would mean the state colluding with the aviation industry in order to maximise its return on the investment).

Jenny Cooper said that over the past few weeks the NEU had held positive talks with Brent Council on how schools can be built into the environmental agenda.

Cllr Hirani said that closer work between unions and the council on a practical levels as a result of the crisis was something to build on.  There was a need for the council to be fully compensated by the government for its expenditure on protecting residents   - the government appeared to be going back on its initial pledge to local government.  The bail out of TfL had involved too many concessions and revealed the government's political attitude towards the London Mayor.  The government was being exposed in front of our eyes and it was important to keep up the pressure on them.

The meeting discussed a possible future meeting, to be confirmed by the Brent Trades Council Executive, to set up a Brent Against Covid Campaign.  On chat I suggested it would be more positive to call it Brent Build Back Better Campaign.

Two thirds of Britons believe Climate Change as serious as Coronavirus and majority want Climate prioritised in economic recovery

Recent polling by Ipsos conducted across 14 countries globally shows that 66% of Britons believe that in the long-term Climate Change is as serious a crisis as COVID-19, this compares to 71% on average across those 14 countries.

Respondents from China were the most likely to believe that in the long-term Climate Change is as serious a crisis as COVID-19 at 87%, while respondents from the USA and Australia are the least likely, but still well over half at 59% agreeing.

Globally 65% agreed that it is important that climate change is prioritised in the economic recovery after Coronavirus. In Britain, however, this is lower at only 58%.

The polling also shows that both the world and Britain are split on whether or not the government should take actions which might harm the environment to help the economy recover. Globally 44% are in favour and 48% disagree, with Britons split 46% agreeing and 43% disagreeing, meaning we edge slightly to believing that the government should help the economy recover even if that’s at the potential expense of the environment.

Kelly Beaver, Managing Director of Public Affairs Ipsos MORI said:

It is clear that while we deal with the Coronavirus crisis, Britons are still concerned with the environmental issues facing the world and the country. And whilst a majority say they want the environment prioritised in the economic recovery, people in Britain are divided (almost equally) on whether or not the government should take actions which might harm the environment to help the economy recover.