Take a step to address the climate emergency

Every action – big or small – can make a difference in tackling the climate emergency, which is why Ealing Council is encouraging residents and businesses to join them in making the air cleaner and healthier.

The council knows it cannot tackle this issue alone and is asking residents, businesses and community groups to play their part in helping to create a carbon neutral neighborhood by 2030. Find out how you can get involved during Climate Action Week 22 from London. 30th of June.

Repair, reuse or borrow

Avoid buying unnecessary items and save money by learning new skills such as sewing, wearing pre-loved clothes or borrowing.
Residents can now borrow household items such as carpet cleaners and drills at tents or jet washing machines at the new stuff library in Ealing Broadway shopping centre. It works in a similar way to a normal library – you register, reserve the item online for a small fee, borrow the item and then return it.

The Free School Uniform Shop returns to Ealing Broadway Shopping Center from 3-18 August to help families cut costs and save money as children prepare to go back to school. Shoppers can have up to four items of their pre-loved school uniform for free. Unwanted uniform and sports equipment can be donated in a box outside the Flying Tiger Copenhagen store in the centre. Ealing Repair Café is on a mission to get people to value their clothes and wear them for longer by teaching them how to repair them. The group organizes monthly events around the neighborhood where people can bring their clothes and be shown how to mend them.

Throw away the plastic

Enid Barron, who is affectionately known as ‘Eco-Granny’ by other members of Act for Ealing, is so passionate about reducing waste that she created the ‘Cut the Crap’ exhibition which is coming to a venue near you. It offers tips such as buying fruit and vegetables that are not wrapped in plastic and recycling carrier bags at your supermarket.

Save energy

Improving energy efficiency in our homes is crucial to reducing the level of harmful emissions we produce from fossil fuels such as gas. It also helps alleviate poverty by reducing the risk of diseases such as asthma and pneumonia.

Tips for saving energy:
• turn off lights and electrical appliances when not in use – leaving them on standby still consumes electricity
• switching to LED bulbs
• boil only the water you need in a kettle
• cover the pot while cooking to cook food faster
• washing machine/dishwasher – only starts when fully loaded
• installation of solar panels
• your house resistant to current (saves money and energy)

Healthy Homes Ealing Helpline

The council-run Healthy Homes Ealing helpline offers free advice on keeping your home warm, saving energy and changing your energy rates. Call the Healthy Homes Ealing Free Advice Line on 0800 083 2265 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Food partnership

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about growing your own food, how to reduce food waste or how you can help people experiencing food poverty, Ealing Food Partnership’s Nourish Ealing event is for you.

Ealing Food Partnership, which is run by the council with individuals, businesses and community groups such as allotments and community gardens, is hosting a special event as part of Climate Action Week. SUSTAIN: The Alliance for Better Food and Farming and the council’s waste and recycling team will be among those sharing their ideas and best practice.

A delicious vegan meal will be provided by a local organic business, The Humble Veg takeaway.

The event is open to everyone and takes place on Tuesday 25 June from 10am to 3pm at Parkside Yards, 1 Seva Drive, Southall, UB1 1GH. Register for the event via Eventbrite

Go to school or work

Walking, biking or driving to school instead of driving would reduce air pollution and reduce traffic. But if you have to drive to school, consider parking further away and walking the rest of the way.

Planting

Trees are vital in addressing the climate crisis. They help remove pollutants from the air, cool urban temperatures and reduce the risk of flooding. In the last year, Ealing Council has planted 20,500 trees.

More information

• Ealing Food Partnership has created a food map of where to find nutritious, free or cheap food across the borough.

• Find out if you qualify for an Energy Efficiency Grant – applications are due by the end of June.

• Act for Ealing Climate Action Hub