Doubt melts away: Gillian de Veras

Some experiences can change the way we see the world.

When Gillian de Veras, 66, visited the Antarctic, the sight of ice melting into the sea brought her up close to the reality of climate change.

"I had not gone with the idea of investigating climate change but the visit changed my life," she says.

And it inspired her to act.

"We could see blocks of ice - some the size of mountain ranges - floating away," says the former civil servant. "A never-to-be-forgotten sight."

Instant campaigner

Back in Croydon Gillian signed up with Friends of the Earth's local group. Through it she joined the Big Ask campaign for a pioneering climate change law.

I am not naïve enough to think that the fight is over. We have to hold them to it

Gillian de Veras, local campaigner

"I just wanted to do something about what I knew to be coming."

"I felt that Friends of the Earth as a large national and international group had a hope of changing public consciousness, as in previous campaigns," she says.

Taking action with the Big Ask campaign showed Gillian that many people shared her concerns.

"We went to local events and set up stalls," she says. "I was very impressed with the number of people who were talking to us about climate change."

Support

Gillian found the network of Friends of the Earth's local groups fuelled her passion for the work.

Meeting other groups at a national conference in September showed her how strong people-power can be.

"There was a mood of optimism that we can still change people's minds. We just have to keep our courage and our determination."

She is heartened that people all over the country have helped to bring about a Climate Change Law in just three years.

No let-up

But she's realistic about the challenges ahead. 

"I am pleased that we have the Climate Change Bill," she says. "But I am not naïve enough to think the fight is over. We have to hold them to it."

Will she be bowing out gracefully from her local group now that the Big Ask has achieved its main goal?

"I intend to campaign with Friends of the Earth until I drop off my perch or they kick me out," says Gillian.

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