How Hazel 'did something' about climate change

1 April 2006

Worried about climate change but not sure where to start?

It's a familiar feeling. And one that troubled Hazel Agombar who was busy looking after her two small children at home in Winchester.

Luckily, Hazel was able to turn her concerns into action. Find out how she did it.

How did you get started?

At the time there was no Friends of the Earth group here in Winchester so I just started giving out postcards to my neighbours and friends to raise awareness.

My 4 year old son and I delivered hundreds of leaflets to houses in our area. I also wrote letters to the local paper highlighting the signs of climate change in my own back garden - and describing Friends of the Earth's The Big Ask campaign.

What made you decide to hold a public meeting?

Hazel with
Mark Oaten MP

I went along to the climate change march in London at the end of last year, and was really inspired by the atmosphere. I met lots of other supporters and felt that I really had to do something once I got home.

I thought that the best way forward was to hold a Big Ask public meeting.

As well as getting support for the Climate Change Bill from our local MP, it was also a way of seeing if there was enough local interest to start a Winchester group.

I am relieved to say that the public meeting was a huge success!

Standing room only at the Winchester Public meeting

200 people attended the meeting - and 50 people signed up for the new local group!

Hazel Agombar

What do your family and friends think?

Everyone has been fantastically supportive. My family have helped me make time to do this. My friends have been really interested and impressed by what I'm doing.

In fact, many of them attended the public meeting and have started to make small changes in their own lives to become 'greener'.

What keeps you going?

The fear of not acting. I have 2 small children, and I am so worried that they might say to me in a few years' time "Why didn't you do something?"

The huge social injustice keeps me motivated. The world's poorest people are suffering already because of our greed and excessive energy use.

Hazel Agombar

Also, I've met some fantastic people by getting involved. I've had a great deal of fun - and learnt new skills along the way. It's given me a whole new outlook.

What advice would you give others just starting out?

Make contact with your nearest local group. (I visited Southampton branch to get some help and ideas in the first place.) Sign up to The Big Ask or whichever campaign takes your fancy.

Friends of the Earth make it really easy to get involved no matter how much time you have.

What's next on the horizon?

Establishing the new local group. The first meeting is in April. I can't wait to start campaigning with like-minded local people. I feel as though the work has just begun!

Take it further

Are you inspired by Hazel's story? Would you like to get more involved in The Big Ask?

Whether it's distributing postcards or getting in touch with your local Friends of the Earth group - we can help you. Just please use our feedback forms via our contact page to contact Alex in the Climate team and let her know what you would like to do.