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SAVE THE ARCTIC, START WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Posted by CJPaton - 30 July 2012 at 2:06pm - Comments

Charlotte, Emma, Anders, Ruben and Elisabetta

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from volunteering with a local Greenpeace group, it’s that every person and every local community matters. I joined South West London Greenpeace a mere 6 months ago, and already have witnessed the phenomenal impact that all the local Greenpeace groups create, when working together on a national or international front. Throughout history we see, time and time again, that change can happen when people work together.

So, last Saturday our South West Greenpeace group hit the local Farmers’ Market in Oval to support the #SavetheArctic campaign. On arrival we were welcomed by the friendly CCFM (City & Country Farmers’Markets) and greeted fellow stands from organic produce to Fairtrade coffee.

As the day went on we were overwhelmed by how many people approached the table to talk to us. Indeed quite a few passes-by were aware that the Arctic is in danger of exploitation, some had already signed up to the Save the Arctic campaign, and even a few were themselves members of Greenpeace.

When planning our stall we were quite surprised that London Farmers’ Markets (LFM), who organise markets throughout London including Balham, Brixton and Wimbledon, had a ‘food-related charities only’ policy, and we were consequently turned away. If only we’d been campaigning to Save the Aubergines…

CCFM on the other hand, operates with an inclusive and laid-back local approach. They even tweeted our group support throughout the day!

A few regulars at the market asked, ‘will you come again?’to which I had to respond ‘yes!’, as it felt like our group’s local presence really was important, not only to raise awareness, but also in making local communities feel that they are part of the wider campaign to Save the Arctic.