WEB CHATS
Connecting our community​
Whilst we are physically distanced, we want to stay socially connected with the wonderful Merton community and keep the important conversation around sustainability and the Climate Emergency going.
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Through virtual video chats, we have created a space for all of us to connect and learn about a variety of sustainability topics; from plastic-free periods to the circular economy to climate justice and more, with guest speakers, including Sustainable Merton's Community Champions, sharing their knowledge, stories and sustainable solutions.
Our Web Chats are open to everyone, so no matter where you are on your sustainability journey, come along to say hello, meet like-minded people, and learn together.
JOIN OUR WEB CHATS
Our monthly Web Chats take place through Zoom video conferencing on Wednesday afternoons (starting at 1 pm). Simply register to attend through our events page and you'll receive a confirmation email containing the link to join us on Zoom at the specified time. On the day of the event, make yourself comfy and click the link when we go live!
CATCH UP
All of our recorded Web Chats can be found on our YouTube channel. Click the button below to start browsing or keep scrolling to see the full list of topics.
#21
Greener home improvements with CREW Energy
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Already taken your first few steps towards greening your home and looking for the next big leap? In this Web Chat, CREW Energy Director, Toby Costin, discusses renewable heat and energy, larger-scale energy efficiency measures, and green financial support for your home.
#20
Greening your home for less with CREW Energy
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Did you know around 26% of a UK citizen's carbon emissions come from household energy use? Reducing your carbon footprint starts at home. To mark Big Energy Saving Winter, Amy and Alex of CREW Energy discuss small changes you can make around the house to reduce your carbon emissions and save money on your energy bills.
#19
Covid and Food: Exceptional opportunities in unprecedented times
Sustainable Merton Community Champion and Food Team Leader Blanca Peña-Méndez leads a discussion about how communities have had to rapidly adapted in order to bridge the gaps in our food system and how community action has become and will continue to be one of the main pillars of the Covid-19 emergency food response plan.
#18
Good Food Merton: The story so far
Learn more about how your local environmental charity is connecting communities through growing, saving and sharing good quality surplus food in Merton.
#17
Giki Zero: Your personal eco planner app - Part 2 (no video available)
Giki Zero will help you to understand, track and lighten your footprint on the planet. You’ll be able to find out what your carbon footprint is and then find steps to reduce it that suit your lifestyle and budget. In a demo with Co-Founder James Hand, we learnt about the new Teams feature which allows you to see how much impact you’re having together. Find out more about Giki here and send an email to info@sustainablemerton.org to join our team!
#16
Saving, sharing and making the most of surplus fruit
Join Juliet Boyd, co-founder of Abundance Wimbledon to find out more about how this amazing local project is helping to stop surplus fruit from going to waste in Merton. Juliet shares the story of how the project began in 2011 and how it has grown thanks to the hard work and dedication of its wonderful volunteers.
#15
Decarbonisation of the UK gas network (and what it means to the person on the street)
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Richard Inwards, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at Summit Exploration and Production Ltd, presents a webinar on the future of power in the UK. Is Hydrogen the 'fuel of the future'? What does this mean for our energy system and how we power our homes? Tune in to learn more!
#14
How can we create the social solution to climate change?
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In this Web Chat, we are joined by Harry Pardoe, founder of Snowball - a new climate action charity and online platform that seeks to empower and enable people from all around the world to come together and drive climate action in their day to day lives. Tune in to learn more about the concept and let Harry know what you think by sending an email to harry@joinsnowball.com.
#13
'Kerb' the confusion: What can I recycle in Merton?
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"Can this be recycled?" THAT is the question! Merton resident and Waste Warrior, Alyson Elliott has created a document full of ideas and tips on where to recycle the items that can't go in your kerbside collection. In this Web Chat, she presents the document to Sustainable Merton supporters and asks for their ideas and feedback.
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Alyson's guide is now live on our website! Search for an item here.
#12
How sustainable is working from home?
With more of us working from, it's important to think about both the positives and negatives of home VS office as we adapt to a new way of working. In this webinar, Community Champion Rachael Swiatek dives into the carbon footprint of working from home, the nuances and tips to save energy.
#11
How does skincare affect the planet?
In this talk, Emma Rogers, Community Champion and Founder of Bambu Beauty, lifts the lid on the beauty industry's dirty secrets and helps you find ways to reduce your impact on the planet.
#7
Engaging communities in local environmental action (no video available)
Sustainable Merton's Community Champions Project Manager Rachael Edwards led a group discussion to dive deeper into the question: 'how do we engage communities in local environmental action?'. We thought about how we can engage, empower, and provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and the issues threatening our planet in a digitally-focused world. Rachael also presented the case study of Connecting Digital Media Centered Children to Nature as a starting point for our discussion.
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#8
Loving Earth Project: Caring for the world we love
Linda Murgatroyd, clerk of the Quaker Arts Network and Founder of the Loving Earth Project tells us more about the community textile project and how it is helping people to engage creatively with the Climate Emergency without being overwhelmed. If you want to learn more about the project and are interested in getting involved with creating a Merton-based set of panels, or helping to coordinate the project in your local area, please get in touch with Linda by sending an email to Lovingearthproject@gmail.com.
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Click here to find out more Sustainable Merton's partnership project with the Loving Earth Project.
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#6
Coronavirus and the environment (no video available)
With all the horrific impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have been searching for stories of hope. One theme that has emerged is the positive impact of the pandemic on air quality and other environmental factors. But these changes are more complex than they appear. 'What Has Coronavirus Got To Do With The Environment?' This recent podcast episode from Hubbub's What On Earth: The Sustainable Podcast discusses how lockdown has changed the conversation about the environment. Attendees listened to the podcast and joined us for a discussion about Covid-19 and the environment, led by Sustainable Merton's Community Champions Project Manager Rachael Edwards.
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#5
Circular Economy, waste and pre-loved clothes
Sally Warren, Co-Founder of WhoSki.com and member of Merton's Business Network for Climate Action joins us to discuss the impact of ski wear on the environment, challenges of the pre-loved market, and the future of the fashion circular economy.
Visit WhoSki.com to find out more about the fantastic work this Merton based business is doing to help shape the future of the fashion circular economy and shop for pre-loved ski clothing.
#3
Climate justice and the global pandemic (no video available)
Led by Sandy McClure, Community Champion and Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at Global Greengrants Fund, our Web Chat on Wednesday 22nd April, the 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day, provided an opportunity to reflect on the environmental crisis during this global pandemic.
As planet earth gets hotter, and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation intensify, we reflected on who is impacted most by the climate crisis - those who have contributed least to its cause- exposing the inequalities that exist around the globe within our current economic system, which are also apparent through this pandemic. Sandy also shared stories to inspire hope from Global Greengrants Fund work with communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and the amazing and innovative solutions that communities are taking forward to tackle this. This resonates closely with the fantastic work of Sustainable Merton’s Community Champions on Energy, Food and Air Quality.
#4
Sailing the ocean to beat plastic pollution
Community Champion and eXXpedition crew member Yanika Borg shares the story of her incredible voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to research ocean plastic and how we can all be part of the solution.
Click here to find out more about eXXpedition's pioneering all-female sailing research expeditions to investigate the causes of and solutions to ocean plastic pollution.
#2
Plastic-free periods
Community Champion and Women's Environmental Network Environmenstrual Ambassador, Yasmin shares her expertise in all things plastic-free periods, a chance to take a deep-dive into reusables at home, self-quarantine style.
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Could you be an Environmenstrual Ambassador? Find out more about the Women's Environmental Network's campaign to make healthy, eco-friendly periods products available and how you can get involved.
#1
Giki Zero: Your personal eco planner app - Part 1
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Co-Founder of Giki, James Hand tells us more about Giki Zero: a personal eco planner web app that will help you understand and reduce your environmental impact. Find out more at zero.giki.earth.
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