“ It’s fantastic to hear that Barnet is thinking about upping its renewable energy game. Local authorities across the country have declared climate emergencies, and 78% of them have a strategy to deal with the crisis. Barnet is one of the few that hasn’t. It’s a relief to hear they’re looking into doing what they can to bring the borough into the 21st century.
There’s an enormous amount that can be done with parks to contribute to achieving net zero and minimising climate risk. Much of it does not make any difference to the park itself. Hackney has installed GSHP infrastructure BENEATH parks in order to provide low carbon, low cost heating to fuel poor households. I understand some people value a pretty lawn more than they value a sustainable environment, and justify it behind the pretence of ‘conservationism’ while that planet burns, or value preserving the playground they grew up with over helping the poorest in society afford to heat their homes. The council needs to listen to those people too, but I have faith in them to make the right decision even if it is not the popular one. ”