"Well, I have installed energy saving lightbulbs and never leave lights on when I’m not in the room.
I have saved lots of money doing this because the new lightbulbs will last for years and use much less electricity too"
Working with?
Who we work with
We have links with a diverse range of community and faith groups, as well as with networking umbrella organisations that work to bring these groups together.
Here are the stories of what just a few of these groups are doing in conjunction with the Akashi project to engage people in discussing climate change. There are more stories in the resources available here. Would you like the Akashi project to do similar work with your community group? Contact us to get involved.
Indian (Gujarati, Punjabi and others) community
Indian community groups in Cambridge and Peterborough have been discussing climate change through various community discussions, religious festivals and arts activities.
"Here, Anilbhai and Vasantbhai are talking about ‘dharma’"
Teachings about the earth within Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism have been discussed and related to an exploration of why we care about climate change and what we must do about it. The central concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the earth is but one family) underlies Hindu teachings about our responsibilities towards those around us and the natural environment.
Here, Anilbhai and Vasantbhai are talking about ‘dharma’ (the Hindu laws of nature and living) and ‘maya’ (our affection for or addiction to material or illusory things).
Traditional Indian values are seen to encourage energy saving and the minimising of waste through day to day lifestyles. We have lead some interesting discussions exploring how traditional values fit in with the fast paced, high consumption lifestyle popular in the UK
Henna painting has been used to engage younger members of the community. Henna is a traditional dye used to create temporary patterns on the hands, usually associated with weddings or other times of celebration. Here, Prarthna shows off her climate change henna design made up of a lightbulb surrounded by showers (as having a quick shower instead of a bath saves water and energy). Shilpa, the Akashi project coordinator, tried a design as well but hers was rubbish compared to this one!
"Henna painting has been used to engage younger members of the community."
Caribbean community
"Here are two members of CamCarib in Cambridge participating in a fun group activity helping them to think about the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through various daily activities in the home and when travelling."
When one thinks of the Carribean, one usually thinks of glorious sunshine, beautiful white beaches and turquoise blue seas. People here in the UK with family still living in the Carribean are also concerned about the vulnerability of the islands as weather patterns change due to climate change. Many areas within the islands are at great risk from flooding as sea levels rise. A key concern is access to fresh water as fresh water supplies are polluted due to flooding.
How are lifestyles here in the UK contributing to the weather changes that are evident here in the UK and also in the Carribean? And what can we do about it? Here are two members of CamCarib in Cambridge participating in a fun group activity helping them to think about the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through various daily activities in the home and when travelling.
Muslim community
"This is Abdul Arain, owner of Al Amin stores."
The Akashi project has been involved with various groups within the Muslim community in the region; mosques, women’s groups, youth groups, student societies and through local businesses. Discussions within these groups have started by looking at teachings in the Holy Qu’ran about the role of humans as ‘vice-regents’ for the Earth and have progressed to looking at ways of reducing our carbon footprints in the home and supporting each other as a community. A brainstorm of ideas for recipes with locally grown foods and tips for energy saving while cooking took place has taken within a women’s group.
This is Abdul Arain, owner of Al Amin food store in Cambridge. Al Amin’s customers have been engaging with shop staff on ways to cut carbon emissions through looking at what they buy, how they travel and energy saving in the home. The video screens in the shop have been showing customers from different community groups in and around Cambridge a short film about climate change and a slideshow of ideas for energy saving.
Christian community
"The café-style service began with an activity designed around the snacks placed on tables for the congregation in the church."
A number of church leaders and congregations in the region are inspiring changes in attitudes about climate change in the community, as are groups like A Rocha, a Christian Environmental organisation. The Akashi project has been working with groups from different denominations to explore what climate change means and what we can do about it.
Shilpa, the Akashi project coordinator led part of the Harvest Festival Service at the Mill Road Baptist church in Cambridge. The café-style service began with an activity designed around the snacks placed on tables for the congregation in the church. The cherry tomatoes were grown in a church member’s back garden and brought to the church in a bucket, but the cartons of orange juice made from concentrate tell a different story!
Groups around the tables considered the different types of packaging, the food miles and other issues surrounding food and climate change before Shilpa did a presentation about climate change and lead a discussion about Christian views on the environment. Environmental stewardship is a key value for many Christians; a belief that whilst we have been given natural resources to use for food, clothing and shelter, we also have a responsibility to protect our natural environment and other species.
Jewish community
"How can we reduce the amount we fly?’ has been a central topic for discussion! "
A recent “Rabbi, I have a problem” section in the Jewish Post magazine explored a query by one of its readers regarding flying in aeroplanes and climate change. The reader wanted to know if it was better to cut down on flights to reduce one’s carbon footprint and thereby reduce one’s personal impact on climate change, or if it was better to fly and support tourist economies abroad. The replies, provided by two rabbis from different Jewish traditions, were very interesting. Quotes from the Torah are used to illustrate a need for balance between economic and other interests so that natural environments are not exploited.
Jewish community groups have been meeting to discuss climate change with the Akashi project and have individual carbon footprints measured. ‘How can we reduce the amount we fly?’ has been a central topic for discussion.
Chinese community
"This is Kym, owner of Kymmoy, a Chinese noodle bar in Cambridge."
This is Kym, owner of Kymmoy, a Chinese noodle bar in Cambridge. She’s concerned about the amount of pollutions in cities, both here in the UK and in China. A better public transport system and more of a willingness by individuals to not sit boxed up in cars in traffic jams would contribute towards greener cities and better health for all, she argues.
Kymmoy is very popular with members of the East Asian communities in Cambridge and the surrounding area. Kym is working with the Akashi project to arrange carbon footprinting stalls in the restaurant on weekend afternoons and informal discussions with customers interested in engaging in the debate about climate change.
This is Duncan, Anna and Tina. They feel that the traditional Chinese values they associate with their parents and grandparents with regards to living a low consumption, low waste lifestyle, is difficult to apply to their lifestyles here in the UK. In their house, Anna is the one who is championing changes to make their lifestyle ‘greener’, but slowly the whole family is working to reducing their carbon footprints.
"This is Duncan, Anna and Tina."
Buddhist community
Buddhists in Cambridge organised an evening about climate change and Buddhism at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre. Our project coordinator Shilpa led a discussion about what climate change is and how we can all do something to challenge climate change in our day to day lives. Members of the Buddhist community linked these ideas to Buddhist teachings about compassion to all beings and living in a calmer, simpler, healthier way.
"This is Shilpa at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre."
(Colum Lavelle Photography)
Would you like to be involved too?
These are just a few of the stories from just a handful of the groups we have been working with. Are you a member of a cultural or faith group? Would you like to have your carbon footprint measured and find out more about climate change? Why not invite the Akashi project to meet with your group to run similar fun, interesting discussions and activities.
Wider working
We are also liasing with Sustainability and Community Development departments within a number of city and county councils, networks such as MENTER, Black Environment Network, East of England Faiths Council and Natural England and organisations such as the Energy Savings Trust, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water.
Please contact us if you would like to find out more about us. We’d love to hear from you!
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