Mapping a climate-resilient future for New Cross Gate and Telegraph Hill
Climate Haven, a grassroots network for communities responding to the climate crisis, held its first meeting.
On Wednesday 7 October, voluntary organisations from New Cross Gate and Telegraph Hill gathered for Climate Haven’s first meeting.
Representatives from New Cross Learning, Telegraph Hill Centre and St Catherine's Church were among those who came together to share knowledge and resources to help tackle the increasing threat of the climate emergency.
The meeting was held at The Somerville community centre and focused on a mapping activity designed to identify where support and information is available.
According to the Climate Risk Index published by insurance giant AXA, Lewisham North is the English constituency most vulnerable to climate risk.
Axa scores climate risk across three categories: flood risk, heat risk and socioeconomic vulnerability. The flood risk in the area includes the risks from rising water levels in the tidal estuary of Deptford Creek and the Thames.
Climate Haven was set up by local climate campaigners Power in Our Hands. David Holloway, the founder of the project, brought together community organisers to deal with future challenges in light of the report’s findings.
Participants included representatives from Besson Street Community Garden, House of Bread, All Saints Church, Feed the Hill, Facework Maker Space and local art studios hARTslane and Arcade.
Together, they mapped out the existing resources that could be used both in the event of an emergency and on a daily basis, to build resilience.
Artist Amaechi Anolue created a visual map, showing how the organisations were geographically connected and illustrating their locations and resources.
The first half of the meeting revealed that Telegraph Hill and New Cross Gate already have much to draw on, from spaces offering shelter during extreme weather and community gardens to food networks, and local residents with valuable skills and experience.
The next step will be to connect these resources and develop a community-led strategy for responding to climate emergencies, David says.
Kate Anderson, councillor for Telegraph Hill, took part while North Lewisham MP Vicky Foxcroft sent a letter of support.
Climate Haven has secured £20,000 from the National Lottery for a coordinator, David said that the group appreciates this grant which is helping it get started. However, more funding is needed to continue expanding the project.
In the second half of the meeting, the group envisioned what a community resilience zone might look like.
One key area was around engagement, connecting young people with older residents and reaching out to first responders such as the fire service to keep them informed.
Another focus was responsibility, strategies were discussed for monitoring the immediate effects of climate change and protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.
The group also considered the possibility of developing a climate charter that organisations could opt into, which would make information and services more publicly accessible.
In the next few months, Climate Haven plans to open its meetings to the public in the two wards.
To find out more, contact info@climatehaven.net
Salamander News is a partner of global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now. Please support us or leave a tip.
