Most of our plans to jet off for a holiday in the sun or book a last-minute winter escape have been halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
But Covid-19 has presented an opportunity for one local resident to focus on another pressing issue.
Nicola Baird, writer and founder of Islington Faces Blog, launched a crowdfunder campaign last week to encourage neighbours to share their ideas on how to tackle the climate crisis and get to zero carbon.
The blog, which began in 2012 and has since featured more than 327 interviews, publishes stories of people who live and work in the Borough.
But their new project, ‘Everyone Has An Energy Story’, aims to focus specifically on practical steps the local community can take, such as reducing heating costs and travelling greener.
Residents will be interviewed about their understanding of reaching zero carbon, with the hopes of connecting them to local energy “experts” who can offer advice about what practical steps they can take.
Islington Faces will receive £1,000 from Marks & Spencer (M&S) Energy – a service that provides 100% renewably sourced electricity to its customers – if it can raise £1,200 between 23 November and 21 December 2020.
The crowdfunder campaign has raised £474 in its first week, with the project due to be launched in 2021.
Islington Council last year declared a climate emergency and pledged to reach net zero carbon by 2030.
But Nicola, author of another blog Around Britain Without a Plane, has taken her own steps over the years to help tackle climate change.“Back in 2000, I decided, as a family, we would only fly every 10 years,” she said.
Her blog aims to encourage people to travel around Britain and visit places closer to home.
