Greening Sunningdale Campaign - What You Can Do

Terena Plowright, Director of the Greening Campaign, (pictured below) gave an empassioned talk about the  Campaign, to Sunningdale residents, local school pupils and councillors, at the Broomhall pavilion on July 13. She outlined the problem, saying that we are bombarded with information about climate change but it is not clear what the individual can do to help. She said: " Climate change is not a horrible brick wall but it's something quite manageable". 

The Greening Campaign is a structured programme with four phases to work through, with unlimited support from the Campaign, infoormation packs and a dedicated contact team. It's all about engaging the community with stimulating ideas  about liveing more sustainably. Terina  enthused about all the achievable lifestyle changess, like boiling only the volume of water needed or turning the heating down a degree, which, when done by a whole community, add up to something significant and measurable. 

Terena said: " It can start with  turning things off when not using them, using less water and insulating your roof.  It's about doing something small and manageable such as walking, scooting or cycling short journeys, washing a full load of washing at 30 degrees, turning off standbys. If you manage 5 of these, you put a greening card in the window (like the one pictured left). '

She described the  experience of leading a Hampshire community in this process which resulted in the saving of 64kgs of carbon dioxide in a year. "It was an emotional time to see that people did care and wanted to tackle climate change" .

Slides were shown of a community undertaking the Greening process, which starts with a grand launch. Activities included the school staging a play they had written about the impact of excessive energy consumption,  a jogging group campaigning for donning an extra jumper, the WI demonstrating the use of less water and scouts generating cycle power to demonstrate the use of less power by energy efficient light bulbs, with many other community groups taking part.

The Greening Campaign now has over 50 active communities, with more joining every week.Terena explained that communities buddy with each other to provide  help and support. As well as liaising with Parish Councils, the Campaign is working with agencies such as SEEDA (South East Development Agency) and the CPRE (Council for the Protection of Rural England).

Sunningdale Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Chrisitne Gadd, concluded by thanking Terina for a most inspiring talk and saying how important it is that the Parish Council takes a lead in this matter ( The Parish Council will launch its new solar panels and log burning stove at the Parish offices, on September 11.). The Parish Council will now seek to engage key community groups and plan a launch date for the Autumn. Watch this space!

For more information visit www.greening-campiagn.co.uk  or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or from Parish Clerk, Anne Martin, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it