Social Impact / Black and Green Ambassadors
Bristol’s need for an inclusive climate movement
The conversation around climate is a hot topic. We have seen growing interest and urgency around the climate debate from people at all levels. However, what is also clear is the lack of diverse representation or involvement in large parts of the climate movement.
The Black and Green ambassadors are a group of people in Bristol who connecting, empowering and celebrating diverse leadership and community action on environmental issues in Bristol and beyond.
It is their mission to understand how we can overcome this lack of diversity and inclusion amid climate conversations, through challenging perceptions, creating new opportunities and working towards ensuring the environmental movement is inclusive and representative of all communities.
is needed now More than ever
Olivia Sweeney is a Black and Green ambassador, who is passionate about climate justice and equity in all forms.
“We are about ensuring that decisions/actions or changes that are made work for all the diverse communities in Bristol and around the world, and do not further existing inequalities. Serving as a link between our communities and those with power to effect change within the city,” explains Olivia.
Olivia will be on the event panel.
“Sharing the knowledge we have gained to help. We are about connecting people already doing great work so that our impact can be bigger and quicker, and meeting people where they are at.”
Olivia specifically focuses on clean air in the city and through her project, aims to bridge that gap and help build community solutions for clean air
“Bristol has and continues to have, along with many cities around the UK and the world, illegal levels of dirty air. Dirty air is an issue of environmental justice in Bristol. Those who contribute the least are suffering the most, and areas with higher Black and Ethnic minorities population are being exposed to the highest levels of dirty air resulting in the highest rates of asthma.”
After declaring a climate emergency, Bristol has made plans to become a net-zero and climate-resilient city by 2030. Is this likely?
“Yes and No. Getting to net-zero is a big, challenge and requires some fundamental changes, that Bristol cannot make alone or in isolation. The city needs to work with the rest of the southwest and be supported by changes across the UK and the world to make this happen. It is a balance between global and local, action and advocacy.”
To hear more about Bristol’s journey to becoming a net-zero city, Bristol24/7 will be hosting a panel event with Olivia and experts from TLT, the Global Goals Centre, and The Future Economy Network.
For more details and to register for the free panel event on September 16, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-bristol-can-become-the-first-net-zero-city-tickets
The Bristol24/7 Presents event has been sponsored by TLT.
Main photo: Mark Dolman
Read more: Is Bristol a leader in sustainability?
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