Can communities make a difference to the future of our planet?
On 7th February 2022, Rusthall Parish Council passed and adopted a declaration of a climate crisis acknowledging “the overwhelming scientific evidence that our planet is being damaged by human activities in multiple interrelated ways that will make life on earth unsustainable for future generations” and resolving to stop this damage as quickly as possible. It is a welcome step in a necessary journey, but can one small village parish make much of a difference given the scale of the problem?
Like many of us, I know change has to happen, but I’ve been frustrated by the lack of policy and action from those in power. I try to see the personal choices I make as tiny votes towards a better world - but while switching to shampoo bars, sending my child to a school we can walk to, planting for bees and collecting crisp packets for recycling are all the right things to do, I will not be alone in not being able to afford the biggest changes, and none of us can save the world alone. Waiting for national and global governments to lead the way, meanwhile, seems like an excuse for doing nothing. When I saw that my parish council was setting up a new environment committee it made me ask myself, could coming together as a community be the way to make positive change for the future? Since joining the committee I have begun to find hope in the commitment, knowledge, and determination of my fellow committee members.
I spoke to Rusthall Parish Councillor and Borough Councillor Alex Britcher whose idea the environment committee was, about our green hopes for the village. “Rusthall is well known for getting things done. We have a wonderful community spirit and ability to come together,” says Alex, reflecting a positive can-do attitude often found in small communities. “I see no reason why Rusthall can’t be a pioneer of tackling environmental issues within the borough of Tunbridge Wells and show what actions can be taken.”
In setting up the Environment Committee the Parish Council is recognising how vitally important the issue is, and how as a village there is something we can do about it. “We already have some initiatives, like litter picks and the community larder,” says Alex, “but I wanted to set up a committee so that we could bring it all together, make sure nothing gets missed, and that we develop a cohesive and holistic strategy.”
At the first meeting, issues discussed included electric buses and reduced fares, charging points for electric vehicles, cycle racks, heat pumps and insulation for homes, encouraging more litter pickers, protecting wildlife habitats on the commons, and encouraging people to walk more instead of driving. “There are lots of things we can do as a community,” Alex agrees. “Recycling, reducing food waste, planting for wildlife and insects, reducing carbon emissions. Whatever the Parish Council is doing, we should be asking ourselves if there is an environmental aspect to it? We can look at policy to support the Parish Council to make environmental decisions. On a personal note, I am in favour of declaring a climate emergency, subject to it going through the committee and council, because it will help focus attention on how serious the situation is.”
What about people who say they can’t afford to make environmental choices, I ask? “We need to think in terms of this being a whole community effort, accessible to everyone,” Alex believes. “We can all do our bit, just by putting some packaging in the recycling bin, picking up some litter, taking something from the community larder that might otherwise have been wasted, or for those with children, choosing a pre-school or primary school they can walk to every day – and aren’t we lucky to have two pre-schools and a lovely school in the village? Little things can make a big difference.”
Often environmental action has other positive benefits. “The community larder is a great example of this,” Alex says. “We have saved over nine tonnes of food from going to landfill still in its packaging since we began, and all the carbon that would have released. The bonus is that it also reduces food insecurity in the community.”
Sometimes calls to action connect to other issues. “Walking is good for reducing emissions as well as for our health and wellbeing, but we also have to recognise the fact that many people don’t feel safe walking after dark, which is from 4pm in winter,” says Alex. “I am conscious that there is no safe route on foot out of Rusthall after dark. I have been talking to the Commons Conservators about a Visual Safety Audit for some routes including Rusthall Road, and hopefully there will be some measures that can be taken.”
Rusthall is not alone in setting up an Environment Committee. Parish and local councils up and down the country are making their own declarations of a climate crisis, considering the environment in every decision they make and empowering people in their community to start making environmental changes too. Can communities lead the way to save the world? It’s time to find out.
The other members of the Rusthall Parish Council Environment Committee alongside Alex and myself are Parish Councillors Aimee Taylor, Paul Gripper, Liz Ellicott, and members of the community Philip Wheeler and Jenny Blackburn.
Jayne Sharratt
A version of this article originally appeared in the January 2022 edition of Rusthall Life Magazine.
Protecting the environment: Rusthall Common
