Hello,
Thank you for your interest in and support for Lambeth's Citizens' Assembly on the Climate Crisis, which has now concluded. We are now working on building the recommendations into a Climate Action Plan for the borough.
Moving forward, we'll be providing you with a monthly digest of news, events, activities and opportunities related to the climate and nature emergencies in Lambeth. This July edition celebrates Plastic Free July and features useful information for residents (including young residents on Summer holidays) and local organisations wanting to lead greener and more sustainable lives.
As our planet warms and the impacts are felt across the world and here in the UK, sharing positive local stories and taking action together to tackle the climate crisis is more important than ever.
Lambeth’s Climate Assembly Concludes
From 25 May to 3 July, 50 of Lambeth’s residents deliberated and developed solutions to the question:
‘We are facing a climate crisis. How can we work together in Lambeth to address climate change and its causes fairly, effectively and quickly?’
The assembly was convened by the council to bring residents together to learn about the climate crisis and deliberate on climate solutions and the trade-offs involved.
Lambeth's Plastic Mountain
It's Plastic Free July. An estimated 5 million tonnes of plastic is used each year in the UK, with the majority of this going to landfill or ending up in our environment and oceans.
Plastic Mountain is a participatory public artwork in Lambeth to raise awareness of plastic issues. They are launching a crowdfunding campaign to help fund some activities with local primary schools and young people. Watch their video here.
Yesterday was Earth Overshoot day, meaning humanity used up more than a year's worth of earth's resources by July. Reducing plastic waste is a good way to do this - can you think of more ways to do this?
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What can you do to tackle plastic waste?
Reduce, reuse and cycle with Veolia Lambeth
Have you ever wondered where your recycling and waste goes?
Are you keen on cooking and want to get savvy on how to waste less food?
Do you recycle your food waste and want an easy, sustainable way to make your own caddy liner?
Do you fancy getting crafty with a textiles upcycling project?
Are you a parent with a baby, keen to reduce the amount of waste you produce with nappies?
Find out more here!
Play your part in reducing flood risk
Recent Summer rain reminds us of the impacts of climate change
The recent floods are made more likely where there are lots of hard standing surfaces such as roofs, patios, roads and pavements, which prevent rain from soaking into the ground naturally.
Heavy rainfall will become more frequent with climate change, but we can all help to manage this. Residents in Lambeth can get discounted water butts which capture rainwater.
Here's a guide from the London Wildlife Trust guide about how to de-pave and help rain water drain naturally.
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Froglife and Streatham Common use nature to protect again flooding
Using natural flood defence to protect our borough
Work to prevent flooding from the River Graveney and improve the habitat for frogs, toads, and newts on Streatham Common has been carried out by the council, working with Grow Back Greener Froglife and the Streatham Common Cooperative.
Councillor Sonia Winifred, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, said: “Natural flood management is key to managing Lambeth’s beautiful, healthy and inspiring green spaces, ensuring they are accessible for everyone to reap the health benefits of the outdoors – as well as improving habitat for Lambeth’s precious wildlife”. Read more here.
For more information about Froglife contact victoria.peet@froglife.org or 07377970844.
For more information about Volunteering on Streatham Common contact SCCoop: mered.jones@sccoop.org.uk or 07767808673
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FREE cycle training for children on Clapham Common
With Cycle Confident
Our friends at Cycle Confident are offering a range of free cycle training for children on Clapham Common this August. There’s a mix of complete beginner, intermediate (off-road) and on-road courses and bikes will be available to borrow (though children are encouraged to bring their own). Training is for children of any age from 5 upwards.
For more information and to book a place, visit the Cycle Confident website and scroll down to see all of the courses available.
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Summer Dr Bike Sessions
Get a FREE bike service at with Dr Bikes
Dr Bike is a free service and will look at your brakes, tyres, gears and the general roadworthiness of your bike.
The Dr Bike mechanics will fix problems with your bike there and then if possible. For bigger jobs they will advise you on what is wrong so you can take your bicycle to a bike shop and explain the problem.
We have Dr Bike sessions taking place into August. To view the full list of locations please visit our events page
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Cycle Training
Free 1-2-1 adult training from all those who live or work in the borough
This course will help to equip fabulous new and returning cyclists with the skills needed to navigate London’s roads and to help them find suitable routes. For more information visit the Cycle Confident website.
If you can’t get on a physical course you can work your way through TfL’s online cycle skills training which will also help you be safe on the road.
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Try Before You Bike
Flexible bike scheme that will get you cycling
Simple and affordable, the Try Before You Bike scheme is the flexible bike scheme that will help get you cycling. Just choose your new bike and accessories using the helpful online tools, the bike gets delivered straight to your door!
For more information visit the Peddle My Wheels, who run the programme on behalf of Lambeth Council.
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Get active in your neighbourhood
Local cycle routes, walking routes & parks and green spaces
You don’t have to travel far to find great walks, cycle routes and parks to get some fresh air and get active. TfL has put together some of the best ones across London.
To view the routes, featuring some of Lambeth's very own parks, visit the TfL website.
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Cycle Buddies
Perfect way to gain confidence as a cyclist
Are you a new cyclist, nervous about riding on London’s roads? Or are you getting back on the bike after some time off? Perhaps you want help riding to work for the first time, planning the route to local shops or trying out the route for your children to get to school?
Cycle Buddies is a scheme run by the London Cycling Campaign which puts new riders in touch with experienced riders in their local area. Buddies can meet up and ride together, to work, to the shops or just to the park for some practice!
If you are a confident cyclist, you can sign up too, to help others experience the joy and freedom of getting about by bike. Find out more and sign up to Cycle Buddies.
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Grow Back Greener Fund
Applications are now open for the 2021 Grow Back Greener Fund, co-funded by the Mayor of London and Thames Water.
Community projects across the capital aiming to improve access to green space and help us adapt to climate change can apply.
Applications are open to civil society organisations, local authorities and schools. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on Monday 13 September.
Find out more and apply now at www.london.gov.uk/grow-back-greener .
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Community Ideas Grants Funds now OPEN
Have a fantastic walking or cycling idea?
The Community Ideas Grant can support your ideas to flourish.
Who can apply?
- Community groups who are constituted and unconstituted
- Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations
- Charities or other 3rd sector organisations
Organisations must have received either grants of less than £10,000 last year, or have an income of less than £50,000, or both.
How to apply
Please call the grants team from Groundwork London on 0207 239 1292 to discuss your application, or email wcgl@groundwork.org.uk.
Deadline is Friday 10 September at 5pm.
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Grant funding available for home energy efficiency improvements
Did you know energy use in domestic buildings is the greatest source of carbon emissions in the borough? Wasted energy makes heating bills expensive too.
That's why we've teamed up with other London boroughs to offer grants for low income households to make homes more energy efficient. You could be eligible for up to £10,000 of grant funding to cover the installation of efficiency measures, such as low carbon heating systems, insulation, and smart heating controls.
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