News / Babbasa
MendEarth event to bring climate fight back to the community
“We’re taking the climate change issue to the communities. We’ve had enough of organisations and inaccurate policies trying to mend the earth!”
Medha Ghosh is sick of corporate inaction and ready to bring the climate fight back to community level.
“There’s alot of greenwashing and virtue signalling when it comes to talking about climate action and sustainability,” she goes on.
is needed now More than ever
“These things rip off people from inculcating any kind of real-life, sustainable practices that could actually have a long-term tangible impact on the environment.”
So Medha and others are organising MendEarth, a one-of-a-kind event set to unpack climate issues for their peers.
The Challenge Programme’s recent trip to Thrive Renewables sustainable energy providers in central Bristol introduced participants to the realities of the green jobs sector – photo: Barbara Evipidou
The team are working together as part of Babbasa’s Challenge Programme, designed to build skills and development opportunities for Bristol’s inner city ethnically diverse young people.
They’re fed up with the inequality of big business forging ahead with climate-damaging practices while marginalised communities are left picking up the pieces.
“I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of climate and social justice,” says Medha.
“These issues directly affect the type of person I am, my background, my culture. The event is my way of contributing to a solution for climate change.”
Team member Laughter Coker says there’s a lack of connection and education around environmental issues.
“Minority low-income backgrounds in Bristol bear most of the brunt of climate change, but we still don’t really know how to help ourselves. Young people especially,” he explains.
“Generally, there’s a lot of talk about sustainable practices, things people should be doing and accountability massive organisations should be held up to.
“But there’s too much information for the average young person to process and really understand how they can help.”
In response, MendEarth intends to demystify the issues for 16-30 year olds from marginalised backgrounds. It’s set to be fresh and hands-on, with music and workshops woven in alongside panel discussions, networking and shared food.
“We need to organise at a community level and see where the problem lies – which is where the solution lies as well,” says Medha.
The Challenge Programme for young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds hones soft skills and enables professional development. Mubanga (right) is part of the MendEarth comms team – credit: Babbasa
Mubanga Chilando, also on the organising team, is keen to bring the topic to life to inspire action.
“What interests me is things that make change happen. I love being involved in unique things, like this event,” she says. “It will be fun and interactive – not like a business meeting! It excites me to be part of it and make a good change for the next generation.”
Laughter says a focus on practical skills will empower attendees to move towards sustainable lifestyles.
“Gardening, upcycling and clothes repair workshops will teach young people the little things that bring benefits for themselves and also the environment,” he says.
Babbasa has helped him expand his own knowledge of practical sustainability, notably with a recent trip to Thrive Renewables which, he says, helped him to begin to understand “‘the actual ‘how’”. He’s also developed a deeper relationship with the environment.
“Through the Challenge Programme I’ve built a very special connection to nature,” he says. “One evening we sat on benches in Portland Square in silence for about ten minutes.
“It was very dark, I’d had a busy day and I took a couple of deep breaths. I felt so much peace and relief.
“Beyond any sustainable action, that connection to nature has become a personal thing. It’s something I do on my own now – I step outside, sit under a tree, get some fresh air.”
Medha says she has also realised the benefits of getting outside to enjoy nature while on the Challenge Programme, and wants to encourage others to do the same – photo: Medha Ghosh
Laughter hopes the event will offer a sense of community:
“You realise, when gathered together, that you’re not alone in how you feel – the anxiety, with all the bad news that’s imposed on you, but also passion for the environment, wanting to protect it – that there’s other young people just like you who are also curious and excited about this topic.”
Mubanga sees this community building increasing the reach of climate action.
“I hope people that come to MendEarth can get the information and start to spread it throughout the world, that they’ll want to start teaching people about it,” she says.
“So one person teaches their neighbour, who can teach their neighbour, and so on… So that climate change abates and we can see that change for the better, for everyone.”
MendEarth is a free event taking place at the Malcolm X Community Centre in St Paul’s on May 9, 5.30-8.30pm. Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mendearth-bridging-climate-action-communities-tickets
Main photo: Barbara Evipidou
This piece of independent journalism is supported by the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
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