The climate crisis affects us locally. Many of us have to worry about flooding in our communities far more often than we used to, a problem that makes insurance more expensive and undermines the value of homes. Climate change also has an impact in ways which are harder to untangle from other causes, like the price of food on our tables when harvests are wrecked by drought.

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We can all see evidence of a local nature crisis too – fewer butterflies, less wildlife in our rivers. But solutions aren’t always as easy as they appear. Green energy projects are often fiercely opposed by those living closest to them; and much needed infrastructure can affect habitats.  There are also important considerations for those working in polluting industries about how we manage the transition to a greener economy.

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As Campaign Strategy Lead for the Global Witness forest campaign, I led a programme of work to hold the financial interests that are driving the climate crisis to account - like the big banks making money from deforestation. That work was a reminder that while we might talk about 'climate' and the planet, ultimately its people that are affected, and none more so than communities driven out of their homes to make way for deforesting projects. 

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I’ve also worked with the wonderful ‘Our Future’ project which started in Grimbsy, and is designed with the understanding that communities are at the heart of any successful green transition. Together they will ensure the green transition will not leave them behind, as other economic transitions have. 

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You can read more about their work here.