Environment & Sustainability

The Mums for Lungs campaign has published an updated version of its London's Toxic Air flyer, intended primarily for distribution at school Christmas fairs, but useful for informing everyone about the problem of air pollution in the capital and ways in which individuals can help reduce pollution and their exposure to dirty air.

How do political parties measure up to the challenges posed by the climate emergency, which require urgent and very radical measures? Friends of the Earth have examined the manifestos to find out. Locally, they want us to ask our candidates to take the Climate Action Pledge.

Nearly two thirds of London councils have declared a climate emergency. While it is relatively straightforward to declare an emergency, it is far more challenging to commit to specific interventions that will deliver big cuts in carbon emissions. The London Living Streets group has identified a range of key policies that local authorities can adopt right now to reduce carbon emissions. All have either been adopted by another major global city, by local authorities in London or elsewhere in the UK.

Nearly fifty groups from across the range of community activities in Enfield are joining forces in order to involve civic society in addressing the emergency of climate change.

We're facing a climate emergency. The biggest threat to our very existence and to much of the natural world we've ever seen. And yet our leaders are letting us down. The solutions to the climate crisis are out there, and they're achievable. So join us to kickstart Climate Action Enfield and connect with others who want to make these solutions a reality.

Properties include Edwardian villas, a 1920s former London County Council property, a timber-framed 1980s house and the cob and straw eco building at the Meadow Orchard community garden. Features include underfloor heating systems, an air source heat pump, rainwater harvesting, a green roof and much more.

Extinction Rebellion campaigners from five boroughs have announced plans for a North London Uprising on 7th and 8th September. Rebellion groups from Haringey, Islington, Camden, Enfield and Barnet will be occupying streets and running events in and around Turnpike Lane, Downhills Park, Harringay Green Lanes and Manor House.

Readers will be aware that Enfield Council no longer allows plastic bags in its recycling wheelie bins (with blue lids), but may not know that many kinds of plastic bags, including carrier bags, can be recycled at Morrisons in Palmers Green and Sainsburys in Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill.

Enfield Council is to join a growing list of local authorities across the UK which have made formal declarations of a Climate Emergency. The declaration, set to be endorsed by the full council on 10th July, commits the council to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, to stop investing in fossil fuel companies, and to maximise use of environmentally friendly products.

The Enfield branch of the climate emergency direct action campaign Extinction Rebellion is launching a public awareness campaign throughout the borough and challenging Enfield Council to follow the lead of other local authorities and declare a Climate Emergency. There will be a public meeting on 29th June and a demonstration outside the Council meeting on 10th July, plus street stalls providing information in Palmers Green, Enfield and Edmonton.