News / The Bristol Disability Equality Forum
‘It’s vital disabled people are at the heart of climate action’
Disabled people need to take a lead role in shaping changes to combat climate change to ensure they are inclusive and benefit all, say equality ambassadors.
A new video released by the Bristol Disability Equality Forum outlines some of the key issues and challenges facing the city on the journey towards carbon neutrality by 2030.
It calls for disabled people to be at the heart of the action needed to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies to ensure any new measures improve the quality of life for all and don’t impose additional barriers.
is needed now More than ever
The video covers some of the positive projects already happening in Bristol, including locally grown food at The Kitchen Garden Enterprise, Cotham Hill pedestrianisation, and the rewilding of College Green.
“Disabled people are one of the groups most at risk in the face of climate change and green projects can create new barriers for us if designed poorly,” says Emma Geen, projects coordinator at the Bristol Disability Equality Forum.
“However, if we are included in the planning of projects we have lots to gain. So, it’s vital that disabled people help plan the changes coming to Bristol.
“The carbon footprint of disabled people is, on average, much lower than that of non-disabled people. And disabled people are experts at finding solutions to barriers. So our role in tackling climate change should not be that of victims but leaders.”
The video is part of the Bristol Disability Equality Forum’s Community Climate Action project, funded by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund. This project is bringing together disabled people who live or work in Bristol to create a plan to reduce the emissions of the community while improving quality of life.
It is one of the only community climate action projects in the world to focus on disabled people.
The video also includes interviews with Carla Denyer, a Green councillor for Clifton Down who led the motion for the council to declare a climate emergency, and Nicola Beech, the Labour cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste and energy.
Read more: Art and activism fuse to challenge environmental issues
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