BRENT CLIMATE FESTIVAL The time to act is now

The time to act is now!

The time to act is now!

This is the message coming out from Brent’s first-ever Climate Festival.

Held in November, as world leaders met in Glasgow for the COP26 Climate Conference, the two-week long programme of activities and events aimed to raise awareness of the threats posed by climate change and inspire action locally.

Climate change can sound like it’s too big to be a local issue until you realise everything is linked – from wildfires in

California to the flooding in Kilburn over the summer.

The Brent Climate Festival took the themes Presidents and Prime Ministers talked about in Scotland, from insulating our homes to reducing the rubbish we produce, and made it local.

Another message from the Climate

Festival was ‘Together, we can make a difference’.

Climate change affects every single one of us, and we need to take action as a community.

Many of the changes we must make will not only protect our planet, they can also save money, improve air quality and help with feeling healthier.

The festival launched with an interactive sensory installation at Brent Civic Centre (left) with schoolchildren and residents exploring the structure, and learning more about climate change in a fun and engaging way.

The council also premiered the exclusive ‘Climate Change and my Religion’ photography exhibition detailing what local religious and community leaders had to say about the importance of the environment to their beliefs and what pledges they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Let’s Talk Climate!

Tell us how to make local neighbourhoods more sustainable.

We have launched Let’s Talk Climate to ask for your ideas on how to make local neighbourhoods greener and more sustainable. We want to get more people involved in talking about our impact on the environment, focusing initially on two key areas, waste and green space. We want to hear your ideas on what you can do differently and what you expect from us as we work together towards a cleaner, greener Brent. Start sharing your ideas straight away at www.brent.gov.uk/letstalkclimate

There is no escaping climate change; it is with us now and is a threat to our existence. ‘‘ ‘‘

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment

Make a climate pledge

There are practical steps everyone can take to protect the planet. Make a pledge, and start a big change for the better.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “There is no escaping climate change; it is with us now and is a threat to our existence. Climate change affects everyone and we need to make changes as a community, which will have an impact globally. We are committed to reach our goal of zero carbon emissions by 2030 by working together. Please take a pledge for climate change to make a positive change for you and your loved ones.” Make a climate pledge at: wwwbrent.gov.uk/ brentclimatefestival. Check out the ‘Climate Change and my Religion’ Exhibition www.brent.gov.uk/climatechange andmyreligion

Here are some simple steps you can take: Re-use clothes and shop second hand Reduce food waste Walk, or cycle, rather than using a car Avoid singleuse plastic

Recycle more