Eco-spotlight near you...

In what will be an occasional feature, we want to shine a light on local people who are doing their bit to live a more eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle. What actions are you taking, large or small? What tips can you share? 

This month, Re-B’s eco-spotlight shines on local resident Sonia Lakshman, who moved into the Coombe last summer. Here she talks to Re-B trustee, Milla Peterken, about her mission to empower people to make a difference in this time of climate and ecological emergency.

Sonia is co-founder of climate engagement company Couch to Carbon Zero, which helps businesses and their workforce on their own sustainability journey so they can go faster and take people with them.  She says: “Almost everyone is worried about climate change but doesn’t know how to do something useful. They are worried they won’t make a difference on their own; our view is that everyone has a vital role and this climate change challenge cannot be won without everyone.”
 
Sonia explained that, in businesses, sustainability is often given to one member of staff as part of many other roles and they may find it difficult to get people on board. She says: “people are not just workers, they are parents, partners, members of a community, so they are open to change if they can just be given the right information and ideas and inspiration.” This is where Sonia’s company comes in, offering a range of interventions such as:

• 10 day sprint - Couch to Carbon Zero.  After working with the leadership and communications they launch a five minute video based programme every day for 10 days.  Each video has practical suggestions on what individuals can do to tackle the headline climate change issues in their everyday lives. 
•  A lunch and learn series, mostly online, each with a specific topic:
  • Save £’s - save the planet
  • Travelling light (commuting and holidays)
  • Climate 101 (Slash your footprint in 60 minutes)
  • Second hand Savvy
  • Non-Grinch Festive season 

Milla asked Sonia what five things she suggests people in Betchworth and surrounding villages can do to make a real difference:

• Change up the cash - choose a bank with green credentials. Switching banks has been made easy now. Go to www.bank.green - check yours and/or look for a more sustainable one
• Go with the sun - switch to energy suppliers using renewable sources
• Meatless Mondays and Tagliatelle Thursdays - eat more plant based foods, even if it’s just two days a week it will make a difference. You will be contributing to 20-30% of the UK targets. And you now get a wide range of plant-based foods in supermarkets and recipes plentiful to inspire you. Try www.Oddbox.co.uk
• Dial down the flights – take at least one less flight a year
• Pick one change for this week and pass it on to someone else! 

Finally, Sonia says: “Don’t hand over your children and grandchildren’s future to someone else; you have the power to make a difference - you are all consumers.”
 
Remember, just a few years ago there were single-use, plastic carrier bags in all supermarkets and plant-based foods were very limited if you were lucky enough to find any. Look how that has changed due to consumer power!
 
You can take part in a free online Public Sprint Couch to Carbon Zero on July 15, 2024. To find out more, just go to: www.everyoneofus.uk
 
Are you a local resident invested in making a difference in the face of environment and climate change? Want to talk to us about why this matters to you, what you do and the changes you’ve made? Or do you know a neighbour you’d like to recommend (with their permission!)? Get in touch with us here; we’d love to hear from you.