Last week, thousands of residents across Ealing discovered new ways to save money, improve their local green spaces, and take meaningful climate action, as part of the first-ever Ealing Climate Week.
From photo exhibitions in libraries, expert-led advice sessions on cutting energy bills and discovery days in local parks to school uniform swaps and a buzzing sustainability business breakfast, the week was packed with events that showed how climate action is about more than carbon: it’s about people, livelihoods, and social connection.
People care deeply about climate change, but they don’t always know how to get involved, or even what the immediate relevance is to them. So the council launched Ealing Climate Week to make it easier for people to connect, collaborate, and take local action.
This year’s theme, Better Living, made the links between a better quality of life and taking action for climate and nature clearer: whether it was cycling together, insulating homes, or simply meeting neighbours at a community event, every activity helped build a healthier, more connected, and more resilient borough.
When the council first put out the call for community-led events, they say they hoped for 20 to 25 activities. What they got was a groundswell of enthusiasm from the people of the borough’s towns: over 110 activities sprang up across the borough. Local businesses joined in too — from joining the first Industrial Decarbonisation Forum to offering discounts for anyone mentioning Ealing Climate Week (well done the Ealing Grocer!).
In a time when some leaders are losing their nerve on climate, Ealing Climate Week sent a clear message: the public are ready. There is enormous appetite for action, and overwhelming support from the public for bold policies.
As the council refreshes its climate strategy and plans to publish work on climate adaptation, it is looking to open wider collaboration with businesses, institutions and community groups, to see how everyone can work together to raise the level of ambition in the borough. Those keen to get involved can contact climateaction@ealing.gov.uk.
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