Climate activist group uses local anger on potholes to win support for net zero agenda
A climate activist organisation has subtly leveraged public frustration with potholes to build support for the net zero agenda
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A climate activist organisation has subtly leveraged public frustration with potholes to build support for the net zero agenda.
Roger Harding, the director of the environmental group Round Our Way, emphasised the success of a campaign that links climate change to issues affecting Britain's roads - encouraging other organisations to adopt similar strategies.
During the Association of Charitable Foundations’ Leaders Forum in central London on Wednesday, Harding highlighted his group's ability to reframe local concerns to raise awareness about climate change.
Third Sector, a trade publication for voluntary and nonprofit organisations, reported Harding as saying: "For example, we did some stuff on climate change making potholes more likely, probably the biggest story we’ve done and we still get tons of coverage.
A climate activist organisation has subtly leveraged public frustration with potholes to build support for the net zero agendaGETTY"Loads of people wanted to talk about that and we could highlight that and talk about flooding and other things.
"So climate change comes at the end of the sentence rather than the beginning.
"I think that’s our best shot at making it engaging."
Round Our Way strives to highlight and elevate climate change narratives, while advocating for action from both the Government and corporations.
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"What we do at Round Our Way is try to highlight the disproportionate impact climate change is having on working-class people and then we try to get more of our voices in the media and political debate," Harding said.
The forum was held at the County Hall.
Prior to the panel discussion, attendees were encouraged to join peer reflection circles focused on "inner development goals" and a climate-focused investment session hosted by Cazenove Charities, a division of Schroders.
During the discussion, Kamran Shezad, director of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, urged faith leaders to integrate climate awareness into their teachings.
During the Association of Charitable Foundations’ Leaders Forum, Harding highlighted his group's ability to reframe local concerns to raise awareness about climate change
PAHe said: "I find the faith angle a very interesting way to start this conversation because it supports the personal and systemic motivations to bring about change.
"Faith groups are not just about theology and scripture – that’s one part of it, but you can mobilise communities and have influence on policies.
"There’s a growing space that’s expanding and more people are getting involved, not just faith leaders but also the community leaders, uncles, aunties, credit union people, it’s a central hub".
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