Nigel Blackman, introduces Dulwich Going Greener, a local volunteer organisation set up to protect the Dulwich environment.
If you are concerned about global warming and your personal impact on the environment, you are not alone.
There are plenty of people living in Dulwich (East, West, North and Village) who love our area for its great community feel and for its very special setting, from the vibrant Lordship Lane to the green spaces of the Village.
Living in such a place there are plenty who agree that we need to take action to protect it for future generations.
Our little corner of London, like the whole country and the wider world, will feel the impact of global warming.
So what should we do about it?
On a personal level our actions – the small steps we take in our individual lives – may seem to make little difference.
We can save power by turning off electrical appliances; use public transport more or cycle or walk; we can improve the insulation of our homes; try to recycle more and maybe grow some of our own food.
There are lots of small steps we can take which reduce our personal carbon footprint.
But what difference does it make on a global level? Its easy to feel that your own individual measures to reduce waste don’t have any impact, especially when examples of conspicuous energy consumption are everywhere (office lights left on at night…public buildings with doors left open…more coal-fired power stations than ever…)
But attitudes are changing – and change begins with individuals.
This is one of the key messages of the local charity Dulwich Going Greener.
By acting as a forum and conduit for local ‘green’ ideas, we hope to show people that they are not alone. (Just have a look on our website and you’ll see this is true – there are many things that residents in Dulwich are already doing).
Our approach is a positive one. It is worth taking steps to reduce your personal carbon footprint because there are lots of other people doing the same. And if enough people take enough practical action to reduce energy consumption, we can start to make a difference.
As individuals we can’t do much about the rest of the world but we can certainly do things here in Dulwich.
If this positive, practical approach appeals to you, you will be interested in the work of Dulwich Going Greener.
We are a registered charity set up by concerned local residents who want more to be done to protect our environment.
We want it to be easier for local people and businesses to make greener lifestyle choices, and to make the idea of a low carbon Dulwich a reality.
First steps…
We are working on a number of projects, which we will feature in future editions of Dulwich OnView, from lobbying our local council for improvements to walking and cycling routes, to encouraging the uptake of solar-power generation. We are working with local schools; we have pioneered the local take-up of re-useable shopping bags (our stylish Dulwich bags!) and we have established a model allotment and a community vegetable garden, both in Dulwich Park and on Half Moon Lane. Most importantly, we are open to all good ideas and we want to support initiatives from local people.
So keep an eye on our website, on Dulwich OnView for future articles, and come along to our next public meeting – we look forward to seeing you.
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