Here at South Manchester Credit Union we care about our local environment. We have strong relationships with the groups that work to support and grow our local community. People Place Planet is a local group of passionate residents who are combating climate change and striving for a greener South Manchester – read what their chair Simon Ferris has to say 🗣️
Hear from Simon Ferris
When I’m asked “good news or bad news first?”, I always start with the bad, so here goes.
- 2023 was the hottest year since records began.
- The target of 1.5 degrees warming (since pre-industrial times), is likely to be hit this decade.
- Manchester set an ambitious target of 2038 to be net-zero. Their own recent emission report notes we are miles behind.
I could go on…but you get the idea. This is the urgent situation that we find ourselves in.
But behind the gloomy statistics lies hope. This is the hope that inspired a small group of residents to form People Place Planet Didsbury. We are a community group that aims to ‘put the urgency into the emergency’ and give anyone who is concerned about global warming a place to get support, meet others and find their own role.
The group is fully voluntary and non-aligned to any political position or point of view, just bound together by a collective recognition that something needs to be done about climate change. We recognise that everyone comes to this from their own particular starting point and we all need to make our own journey.
We’re deep into our second year and we’ve been busy! We’ve shared our message through a monthly newsletter, a lovely booklet, the local press and social media. We’ve run Carbon Literacy Training, information evenings on retrofitting homes, get-togethers over a pint and taken our stall anywhere that will have us. We’ve collaborated with local groups, for example on a Citizens Assembly on the state of the River Mersey and spoken at meetings all over South Manchester. We’ve met regularly with our MP, Councillors and council officials to encourage them to make climate change a major priority and to better understand the barriers they face. Some approaches have worked better than others.
When we started the venture, a local resident advised me to accept that we’ll have many challenges and to keep going and keep learning. Never was a truer word spoken! Trying to nudge the community to a more sustainable future is often dispiriting and can feel as though we aren’t making any impact. However, each person we reach and each tiny change they make moves things along a little further. Small differences will become big ones and I hope and believe that a major breakthrough is around the corner. From a personal point of view, the inspiration and support I draw from the talented, knowledgeable and simply brilliant people that we’ve brought together is what keeps me going.
Climate change touches every aspect of our lives. Our jobs, our homes, how we travel, our environment and how we eat will change over the coming years. This change is going to bring upheaval and challenges that society has never faced before. To succeed we need to ensure that the transition is fair, equitable and accessible for everyone. Through community based support to residents, Credit Unions will play a vital role.
We are proud to have been able to partner with the South Manchester Credit Union and are grateful for the advice and support they have offered to help promote climate justice for all.
This is just a start…together we are unstoppable. This is Community in action!
So, what’s coming next?
We keep going. More of the same, but bigger, better and a few exciting new ideas!
We plan some bigger scale events and have a podcast in production.
We will make closer, stronger links with existing groups around the community and find better ways to connect with local schools and businesses.
The urgency is clear and the possibilities are endless and we are only limited by the time and resources of those involved. Where we go next very much depends upon you. If you have some time, skills, knowledge or connections, or just want to join the fight against climate change we’d love to hear from you. Ways you could support are:
- Offer a few hours of time on a stall (no skills required)
- Write an article for the local press or newsletter
- Join the discussion at one of our events
- Use us to connect with others to make your idea a reality
- Whatever…!
People Place Planet Didsbury is here to serve the community towards a sustainable future. Please join us and bring your own ideas – you can make a difference!
To sign up for our newsletter: https://www.pppdidsbury.org/register
To find out a bit more: https://www.pppdidsbury.org/
Ask us on: pppdidsbury@gmail.com
Simon Ferris
Chair and Co-Founder People Place Planet Didsbury
Here at South Manchester Credit Union we offer our members access to a Green Loan. This loan is designed to support anyone who wishes to make a green change to their life.
Members in the past have used their Green Loan to purchase an electric car, start a vegetable garden and also invest in efficient home heating systems.
Learn more about transitioning to a greener lifestyle here.
