Gallery
Influencing Policy
Conferences and Events
Speaking at conferences and events, and participating in panel discussions to keep multicultural environmental participation high on the agenda is a big part of my portfolio.
My theme for the Grantham Lecture 2019 was “Engaging UK BAME Communities in Climate Change Action”. The Grantham Lecture is a highlight of the environmental year. The previous years saw Al Gore and Prince Albert of Monaco take the platform, and this year Brian Eco.
It was great to chair the panel discussion “What’s Wrong with Climate Activism?” at the Leeds International Festival of Ideas. Most of the time, we hear soundbites around the issues of diversity, equality and inclusion. An in depth discussion, 2 hours, is therefore of great value.
I am very proud of having created the concept of a National Park City with Dan Raven-Ellison and being a co-founder of the London National Park City and the National Park City Foundation. The organisation has a target of a further 25 national park cities around the world by 2025.
Access and practice
Activities
I pride myself in being close to ethnic minority community groups on the ground, advocating for those that are most affected. Access to green spaces and environmental activities are key issues in the urban setting.
Food is a great feature of culture. Years ago, I invited Rodhri Morgan, former First Minister of Wales, to join in on an evening of cultural sharing and eating. As part of the evening, he graciously judged various dishes and one of the prizes was for the best tasting low calorie version of a traditional dish.
Refugee children tell us that they are often seen as the takers and never the givers. One of my ideas was taken up by Black Environment Network. The project, combining fun and learning in the woods, gave refugee children the unique opportunity to invite a friend of their choice to share the experience.
Many multicultural groups have contributed to the planting of the Cashel Forest in Scotland. The Forest for a Thousand Years in Scotland, which aims “to demonstrate the restoration and regeneration of Scotland’s native woods through sound forestry practice for the benefit of the public.”
Integrated approach
Arts culture and heritage
The arts, culture and heritage have an important role to play in creating a sense of belonging, integrating heart and mind, and building the aspiration to act for people and planet.
Storytelling has the power of engaging hearts and minds. It is a pleasure and a tool for inspiring cross-cultural understanding. Beyond sharing traditional stories, we can create new stories purposefully.
Here, working with Writers Rebel, I relate the story of a magical encounter with a snow leopard, speaking out against the threat of extinction to these wondrous creatures.
There are many hidden knowledge, wisdom and skills among members of diverse communities, from food growing and crafts to cultural visions of nature. The encounter with culture and indigenous wisdom is part of our path to a sustainable future. I chaired a discussion “Creative Sisters and Brothers” at COP26, organised by She Changes Climate, around activism and releasing the creative power of ordinary people.
Mask work, among many creative activities, opens up the imagination and enables us to increase our capacity to re-imagine ourselves into a better and more sustainable future to meet the need for massive transformation of the way we lead our lives and impact on nature. The creative development of activism is valuable. Tap into this thought provoking panel discussion “Arts Activism and the road to COP26” with Goals House.