Category Archives: Environmental Sub Group

Faith, Peace, and Clean Air 2024: A Community Walk of Harmony and Sustainability

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This year’s Faith and Peace Walk marked the third consecutive event organized by the Barnet Multi-Faith Forum and Middlesex University Inter Faith Network on June 20th, 2024. The walk coincided with both the London Festival of Architecture 2024 and National Clean Air Day.

It was a remarkable event celebrating religious diversity, community harmony, and
environmental awareness, providing an informative experience that fostered new friendships while highlighting air quality and sustainability initiatives across Edgware.

The walk commenced from Edgware Underground Station, making its way to St. Margaret’s Church as a midpoint, and concluded at OneStonegrove. In line with National Clean Air Day, some walkers carried portable air monitors provided by Middlesex University and Climate Action Barnet. This initiative aimed to record air quality and pollution levels along the route, contributing valuable data to ongoing research efforts.
The Faith and Peace Walk in Edgware was more than just a physical journey; it was a journey of the heart and spirit, bringing together individuals from different faiths and backgrounds in a shared pursuit of peace and understanding, showcasing a commitment to environmental sustainability. It stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and interfaith dialogue in creating a more harmonious and environmentally conscious society.
A Journey Through Edgware’s Spiritual and Cultural Heritage
The walk began at Edgware Methodist Church, a cornerstone of the community celebrating its centenary this year. The church, which has stood in its current form since 1956, serves a diverse congregation, including a significant number of West African members. Its role extends beyond traditional worship, hosting a large Romanian Pentecostal community and a Trefoil Guild group for former Girl Guide members. This rich blend of cultural and spiritual traditions reflects the church’s inclusive philosophy, making it a microcosm of the diversity that characterizes Edgware itself.
Participants then moved to the Islamic Centre Edgware, a vibrant and essential institution for the local Muslim community. Established in 1974, the centre has grown steadily over the years, culminating in the construction of a new, purpose-built mosque in 2016. This modern facility, located on Deansbrook Road, serves as both a place of worship and a model of environmental consciousness, designed with numerous eco-friendly features. The centre’s emphasis on environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, which encourage the faithful to care for the Earth as stewards of creation.
Next on the route was St Margaret’s Church and Community Churchyard, the oldest building in Edgware, with a history dating back to the 13th century. This historic church has been a continuous place of Christian worship and community service for over 700 years. The current structure, largely rebuilt in the 1760s, houses bells that were cast during that period and remain in regular use, following a significant restoration effort from 2012 to 2014. The churchyard, transformed in 2019 into a peaceful sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of Edgware’s main street, offers a quiet place for reflection and connection with the divine. Additionally, the historic almshouses associated with the church, dating back to 1680, provide a fascinating glimpse into the community’s long-standing commitment to social welfare.
The walk then led participants to the Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, a cornerstone of the local Jewish community. This synagogue, formed from the merger of two historic Jewish congregations—Edgware & District Reform Synagogue and Hendon Reform Synagogue—stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Jewish life in North London. The merger, completed in 2016, brought together these communities into a single, vibrant congregation of over 3,000 members. The synagogue is known for its two walls of stunning stained-glass windows, which were donated by congregants in memory of loved ones and have become symbolic of the community’s deep ties to its history and traditions. Today, the synagogue continues to serve as a vital center for worship, learning, and community life, offering a wide range of activities that cater to the spiritual and social needs of its members.
The final stop on the Faith and Peace Walk was the OneStonegrove Community Centre & St Peter’s Church, an award-winning facility that exemplifies the power of community-led development. Completed in 2016, OneStonegrove replaced two aging 1960s buildings with a state-of-the-art facility that combines innovative architectural design with a strong social mission. The project, inspired by the roof structure of the old St Peter’s Church, was designed to reflect the history and character of the Stonegrove estate while providing a modern space for worship and community activities. The center is managed by the Stonegrove Community Trust, a resident-led organization that has infused the space with a dynamic and inclusive spirit. OneStonegrove hosts a wide range of activities, including programs for families, young people, and the elderly, as well as environmental initiatives such as community gardening. A standout feature of the center is its £100,000 solar panel array, the largest charity-owned solar project in London. This installation underscores OneStonegrove’s commitment to sustainability, with the goal of becoming completely carbon neutral in the coming years.
The Faith and Peace Walk in Edgware serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty found in diversity and the potential for interfaith collaboration to foster a more peaceful and harmonious society. As participants departed from OneStonegrove, they carried with them not only the memories of the day but also a renewed commitment to building bridges of understanding and working together for the common good.

Contribute to the London Nature Recovery Interactive Map

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The Greater London Authority (GLA) has launched an interactive mapping tool for Londoners to tell us where action to improve nature should be prioritised.

The GLA will use the map, alongside other inputs, to set out the priorities for London’s nature in the London Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which is due to be published in Summer 2025.

You can access and add your suggestions to the interactive map here: LNRS Interactive Map (arcgis.com)

This interactive map is open to all organisations and individuals across London, so please share this with your friends, colleagues, family and communities living and working in Greater London. The map will be open for input until 23:59 on Wednesday 2nd October.

If you have any questions regarding the interactive map, please email biodiversity@london.gov.uk

Barnet Climate Action Month Closing Event at RAF Museum

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On July 15th, 2024, the Barnet Net Zero team organized the Barnet Climate Action Month Closing Event at the RAF Museum. Four Barnet Citizen Assembly Action Groups, including the Faith-Based Action Group, reported on progress made over the past six months and outlined plans to achieve net zero for the borough by 2042.

Amir Ohadi, chair of the BMFF Sustainability Committee, presented the Faith Action Group and highlighted the recent Faith Partnership event and eco tour at New North London Synagogue led by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg. This visit demonstrated how places of worship can inspire sustainable practices such as reducing waste, energy efficiency, biodiversity, gardening and green spaces, and all other aspects of the climate agenda across communities. Representatives from various faith groups and stakeholders, including Anglican, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Bahai, and Middlesex University, made significant contributions.
Looking ahead, the Faith Action Group will continue its mission within the Barnet Multi-Faith Forum Sustainability Committee. Farah Ali, representing the Barnet Council Sustainability team, has joined the BMFF Sustainability Committee to facilitate collaboration and faith partnership with the local government. The challenge is to establish robust data and communication infrastructure to deliver messages and support sustainable collaborations with faith communities. The establishment of a Barnet Faith Leaders Forum will be instrumental in further engaging faith communities in this green transition.
 
The Barnet Net Zero team has published their first Sustainability Annual Report.
 
 

The Sustainability and Climate Change Panel at the University of Cambridge

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The Woolf Institute, in collaboration with the Muslim World League, hosted a Sustainability and Climate Change Panel during the Encounter Workshop at the University of Cambridge. This event convened distinguished leaders and scholars to explore the intersection between faith and climate action.

Panel participants included Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, Dean of King’s College; Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence; Amir J. Ohadi, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at the Barnet Multi Faith Forum; and Dr Tobias Müller, Lecturer at Cambridge’s Department of Politics and International Studies. Discussions focused on pivotal topics such as reform versus systemic change, scientific versus religious approaches, grassroots versus top-down strategies, and the role of ethical frameworks in driving climate action.

Amir Ohadi underscored the significance of Pope Francis’s recent encyclical, Laudate Deum, released in October 2023 ahead of COP28. This influential document articulates key insights on the climate crisis from both spiritual and scientific perspectives, advocating for cultural and personal transformations to address global environmental challenges effectively.

The panel explored how religious perspectives can offer valuable insights into climate change mitigation and emission reduction. They highlighted the potential of faith-inspired messaging to bring optimism, catalyze change, and promote moral responsibility in climate debates.

Additionally, the discussion addressed the Faith Partnership initiative with the Barnet local government, aimed at achieving BarNET Zero by 2042. The initiative underscores the importance of inclusive local partnerships in implementing actionable solutions tailored to community needs.

The event concluded with a significant dialogue at Westminster College with Sheikh Dr Mohammed Al-Issa, head of the World Muslim League and organizer of the Charter of Mecca. This charter advocates for moderate Islam and addresses global environmental concerns, advocating for pollution reduction and global commitment to climate treaties.

Simple and Easy Steps for Sustainability (SESS)

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Prepared by Barnet Multi Faith Forum, Environment and Sustainability Sub-Group

Caring for people and planet and Commitment to net Zero emission (not adding emissions to the environment directly and indirectly) presents an opportunity to embrace more sustainable practices, cultivating a greener and healthier environment. Let’s remember our accountability as stewards of the planet and make impactful changes by taking small steps that significantly contribute to our collective journey towards long-term sustainability goals and a brighter future for all.

1- Reduce Plastic Use:

  • Remember to bring your own bags when shopping to minimize the need for plastic bags.
  • Consider switching to plastic-free alternatives such as soap bars and refillable containers for your toiletries.
  • Choose foods that have minimal packaging to reduce plastic waste.
  • Instead of using plastic cutlery, bring your own reusable cups, bottles, plates, and utensils for any gatherings.
  • Encourage sustainability among children by rewarding them for participating in these practices with non-plastic, recyclable toys and books.

2- Reduce Food Waste:

  • Adjust your fridge temperature to between 0-5°C to extend the freshness of food.
  • Embrace creativity with leftovers—freeze them or share with those in need.
  • Donate unwanted food to food banks or utilize apps like OLIO or Too Good To Go to minimize waste effectively.
  • Shop with a plan in mind, paying close attention to the use-by dates of fresh food.
  • Maintain your fridge; clean and use clear storage containers for easy visibility of contents, reducing the chance of food being forgotten.
  • Consider going meat-free occasionally, to lessen environmental impact.

3- Compost & Recycle:

  • Start composting organic waste in your garden to decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills. Please see how easy to compost with a wormery!
  • Boost your recycling efforts and inquire about local services for food waste collection.
  • If you have access to any type of dry biomass, including greenfield waste and waste materials, consider producing biochar or providing them to nearby biochar production facilities.
  • Please place any leaves that fall onto your frontage, driveway, or garden in your green garden waste bin if you’re signed up for the service. Or turn fallen leaves into leaf mould to enrich your garden soil naturally.

4- Eco-Friendly Home & Gifts:

5- Sustainability Personal Decisions:

  • Reduce air travel as much as possible and explore alternative modes of transportation to minimize your carbon footprint.
  • Review your finances and make responsible decisions with your money, business, and investments to ensure the sustainability and social impact of your finances.
  • Hold onto your smartphone; resist buying new ones just to follow new trends.
  • Contribute to charity by calculating your business’s carbon footprint and purchasing voluntary greenhouse gas removal credits to offset emissions. Please be mindful of including scope 3 emissions in your calculations, which refer to the emissions a company is responsible for beyond its own operations.

Please remember that these are suggestions, and you are not expected to implement all of them. However, taking every step where possible can make a significant difference.

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