Features / #Bristol17
The fight to tackle fuel poverty in Bristol
For many Bristol households, the impossible decision between whether to heat their homes or eat is an all too familiar one.
Climate action development practitioner Kirsty Hammond says it’s “staggering” that there is still fuel poverty in 2021 and she is working to eradicate this by campaigning for affordable and clean energy for everyone in the city.
Kirsty’s work is highlighted as part of a project run by the Global Goals Centre, in which a local hero is celebrated every week for their work to tackle poverty, inequality and climate change.
is needed now More than ever
The campaign is based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and features a series of short videos outlining key issues, the action being taken and what people can do to help.
“It’s staggering to think that in 2021, in the UK, there is still fuel poverty,” says Kirsty, who works for the Heart of BS13.
“For people in say places like Hartcliffe, it really is a case of am I going to be able to heat my home or am I going to be able to eat food? And these are issues that people are facing on a daily basis. What’s even more alarming is that we actually have the technology available to eradicate this, such as solar panels or heat pump sources.
“When you think that money is spent on helping people with grants to be able to get gas and electric because they are in crisis, it could be used for retrofitting homes instead.”
Kirsty adds: “We can make a difference but we have to use our voices and we have to educate ourselves.”
Bristol Energy Network (BEN) nominated Kirsty as a community hero following her involvement with the Covid-19 Emergency Winter Fund and work to spread the word among the community and highlight key issues.
BEN’s vision is for every neighbourhood in Bristol to have a local person to turn to for energy advice, a person who would champion energy saving in their community and signpost to specialist advice. Anyone interested in finding out more can go to one of BEN’s open meetings.
Main image and video by Tusko
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