Think&Do Newsletter 18/11/2019
Why you should support Think & Do on Kentish Town Road:
Here’s a (perhaps clunkily put) question for you: “Why is it our imaginations are becoming less imaginative at the very time in history when we need to be at our most imaginative?”
And another: “What if the change we need to see in response to the biggest challenges of our time came not from government and business, but from you and me, from communities working together?” In fact, what if enough of us all came together to create an entirely new kind of story? A story that came up with ideas to tackle climate and ecological breakdown, pollution, climate justice, social inequality and over-consumption?
As renowned environmental lawyer Farhana Yamin, who helped to conceive of Think&Do, says “The sense of isolation and feeling that we are too small or too late to made a difference to safeguard the future of our children and grandchildren, is a terrible thing. By Camden Council converting the disused Flapjacks cafe into a Think&Do action hub, Camden Council has pioneered an exciting grassroots approach”.
As can be seen from week 2, Think&Do is already buzzing with energy and packed full of ideas. We saw a bevy of wonderful events, workshops and ideas emerge. Conversations were shared at thoughtful events, where our attention turned firmly to the issue of Climate Justice.
 The walls around the shop are becoming packed with your ideas in answer to our ‘What if...’ questions posted around the room.
 Week 2 also saw the development of three really exciting projects. Just look at this future city idea.
Following the suggestion from resident, Mike Jenn, to create a Camden Forest by residents planting 2025 trees by 2025, a meeting was convened to turn this idea into action! The meeting was attended by Camden Council’s tree manager/officer, the fantastic TCV.org.uk and lots of us residents. The result: The Story Tree, 2025…. was born.
Watch out for more news soon on how you could get involved in this really exciting project, or come to the follow-up meeting this Thursday at 2pm.
Many more practical workshops were also held last week to weave our community together. Here’s Benitze weaving, and kids having fun at a vegan cookery class. Who knew a simple 6 ingredient vegan chocolate chia seed pudding naturally sweetened and loaded with nutrients could be so healthy….and so delicious!
 
 XR's Camden’s storytelling event was also one of the week’s really inspiring events.
 What is fantastic about T&D is how the space is constantly shifting. Here’s a picture of our Qigong for ecological and climate resilience group in action.
Saturday evening finished with a fantastic talk from actor Fehnti Balogum describing his journey to activism and XR. The event, curated by @Culturedeclares, reminded us how crucial it is to highlight the legacy of environmental activists who were working long before the West and Europe got involved. Communities contributing least to our climate and ecological emergency who will be the first to be affected by Climate and Ecological breakdown.
 
Some would say that the real highlight of Think&Do, is perhaps, the fact that this space, or shop, or whatever you want to call it, exists at all! So get yourself down there this week, go and kick back on the pallet furniture, put the kettle on to make yourself a free cuppa. Cast your eyes around the many ideas already on the walls. Get thinking…and then doing.
Coming up this week
Thursday 21 November 2019
10am - 12 noon: Test and Learn
A weekly session where we review and learn from what we are doing and continue to improve from week to week.
12.30 - 2pm: Schools and the climate crisis. What can you do?
A working group to explore what secondary schools in the borough can do to contribute to tackle the climate crisis. This discussion will build on the borough's climate crisis declaration and the role secondary schools played in the UK’s first Citizens' Assembly on the climate crisis in Camden. If you work in a local secondary school, are an active member of a parents association or have ideas of how schools can be more active, pop in and join the conversation.
2 - 3pm: The Story Tree 2025…Let’s create a Camden forest.
Following our first successful session around how we could create an urban forest in Camden. We are hosting a follow-up meeting to further develop the ideas shared and make this project a reality which aims to plants 2025 new trees in private gardens by 2025.
3 - 4pm: Singing for the environment
Join us to sing for the environment and see if we want to go on to create a climate choir.
4 - 5pm: Caring for People and planet - South and North
Join Women of Colour from Global Women's strike and Crossroads Women's Centre in a workshop to discuss how we can collaborate to promote South-North initiatives that help us care for people and the environment everywhere.
5 - 6pm: Inclusive Reflections for Climate Justice.
A reflection session on what influences us to disconnect from people, locally and globally, as the basis to start thinking inclusively in terms of who is affected by the climate crisis and, recognise alternatives for climate solutions and our future.
6 - 8pm: 24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action and Decolonising Environmentalism
On November 20–21, the world is coming together to talk about the climate crisis with 24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action. Join the conversation here while we discuss what the crisis means for us in Camden – and how we can solve it.
6 - 8pm: Weaving the community together
Come and learn how to free weave on a loom while contributing to creating a community piece of art. A great fun activity for all abilities. Feel free to bring any piece of material you would like to incorporate into the community cloth. You are welcome to donate any natural leftover yarn.
Friday 22 November 2019
10am - 12noon: Introduction to Climate Justice
‘Climate Justice’ has become a buzzword in the climate movement. But what does it really mean? In this workshop, we will be exploring why the climate movement must take into account how our economic system has created and perpetuated climate change.
11am - 4pm: A Knitted Christmas
Pop in and visit Kentish Town Library Knitting group stall and get hold of a treasured and unique knitted Christmas present for a loved one.
1.30 - 2.30pm: Primary school debate on the climate crisis
A group of students from Rhyl Primary school will come together to debate the climate and ecological crisis and discuss ideas around what can schools do to contribute to tackling this urgent issue. The Debate will be led by Transition Kentish Town
4 - 5:30pm: An informal gathering of primary school parents/kids/teachers/carers or anyone interested in helping develop a Primary school Sustainers group.
4 - 5:30pm In preparation of next week’s big secondary schools debate on how we can stop fast fashion from destroying the planet, a small group of students are invited to come and customise a clothes rail. Let's put the swopping back into shopping!
3 - 5pm: How to communicate the climate emergency
Central Saint Martin's graphic design students will share ideas and existing examples of participatory activities that address issues around climate change through graphic and communication design. They will be looking at what words/images will work best in Camden to engage residents to take action.
5.30 - 7.30pm Camden's Citizen's Assembly. What is next?
Early this summer Camden Council delivered of the UK first Citizen’s Assembly on the climate crisis. So what is next? Joins us for a follow-up session to learn about the outcomes of the Assembly and what how the Council is progressing on the delivery of the 17 agreed proposals.
Saturday 23 November 2019
10.30am - 1pm: Hackathon
Come and join us to help turn some of the week's ideas into action. This is an opportunity to work together and start connecting people, resources and ideas shared at the pop-up as a way of enabling new projects and activities to happen.
1 - 4pm: Experts tips for low carbon renovations: Retrofit Camden
Have you got a question on how to retrofit your home to make it more energy efficient? Join local industry experts on a series of talks, questions and 1:1 surgeries on how to renovate your home. Just pop in with your renovation question.
4 - 6pm: Climate workshop with frontline staff in the health & social care sector
A working session looking at the impact of the climate emergency on public services and the disproportionate effect it has on vulnerable groups. We will be looking at how front line staff can contribute to reduce this effect and how we can nurture climate stewardship. The session will be led by Telescope, an organisation dedicated to delivering meaningful change while closing the gap between people on the front line and those making policy.
6 - 7pm: Climate Change - 10 Years to Save the Planet
Join colleagues from Greenpeace as we discuss the science, the facts, and what we can all do to save our planet. We will be looking at every aspect of our day to day lives including food, energy, transport, recycling, fast fashion, technology, waste and finance. Bring your questions and ideas to feed into the conversation.
SAVE THE DATE: ROB HOPKINS TO COME TO THINK&DO FRIDAY 29/11.
Booking via Eventbrite.
This week, the Camden New Journal has an article by Farhana Yamin about the Think&Do shop: Pop-up shop doesn’t cost the Earth.
Think & Do is open Thursdays to Saturdays, from 10am-8pm, at 315 Kentish Town Road NW5.
For more info search these hashtags and social media accounts:
camden.gov.uk
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