Environmental campaigners have joined together to create a new group which aims to turn Streatham green.

Sustainable Streatham is a project designed to empower residents in the area to do more to combat global warming and climate change.

Set up two weeks ago, the group has set itself the goals of creating a community gardening project, local food initiatives and cooperatives, as well as increase recycling and reduce energy consumption.

Group member Scott Ainslie said: “We can no longer live with the fact there is a grave problem coming our way and we are sleepwalking towards an absolute disaster.”

He said he knew many residents wanted to do something to help the environment, and the group hoped to act as a centre to facilitate that desire.

Beginning with four people the group has already grown to have more than 50 people on its mailing list, and has the backing of Lambeth Council, Streatham MP Keith Hill and parliamentary candidates Chuka Umunna and Chris Nicholson.

Sustainable Streatham are now speaking with local schools about how they can get involved, and plan to screen a string of films focusing on the issue of climate change.

The group is taking advice from the well-established Transition Town Brixton.

It wants to create a forum where people can go to get advice about doing things in their life that can help crete a more sustainable community, be it growing their own food, or insulating their properties.

Group member Bridged Hall said: “Almost everything that surrounds us is based on oil. Oil stocks will be gone in 40 years. If we do not do something to change the way we live our lives, we are truly heading for disaster.”

She said convincing people they can change their lifestyles will be the hardest barrier to the group’s goals.

To get in contact with the group and join their mailing list email b@wavertree4.net or attend their next meeting, at the Wellfield Centre, in Wellfield Road, at 6.30pm on July 28.

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