Our Thoughts
The Power of Purpose
For the voluntary sector, the purpose of the organisation should be core. The question we face in the sector is: how do we best deliver on our purpose, often with limited resource? Our approach to making change often includes campaigning or localised grassroots activities. However, there is a third option: catalysing and collaborating.
Based on my years of experience developing projects like Leeds by Experience and the Community Fridge Network, this article explores the longterm potential of collaborative networks with a shared vision.
What will be the key sustainability trends in 2024?
What will be the key sustainability trends in 2024? Here are my thoughts, based on my 30+ years of experience as an environmental campaigner. Please let me know what you think
Fashion will only be sustainable when the rules change
As the environmental spotlight has increasingly shone on the fashion industry, there have been a plethora of company sustainability announcements. Invariably these have focussed on recycling, reselling, upcycling or producing new fabrics. Whilst these are all steps in the right direction, virtually none tackle the fundamental issue facing the fashion sector: over-production.
The political picture
Will the political picture in the UK help or hinder positive environmental change? Here are my five key thoughts for the year ahead.
Are environmentalists bad at communicating?
Over the last few weeks, I have heard frustration from different people regarding the way that many environmental organisations communicate. How has the movement not been able to reach or include a truly diverse cross-section of society? How has our message of a sustainable present and liveable future become a polarising political weapon? Why is there so much uncertainty about the way forward?
Building a Movement
How can you build a positive movement for change with limited resources? Here are the five steps we are taking
Will Greenwashing be replaced by Greenhushing?
Is the era of unregulated Greenwashing coming to an end? Will it be replaced by greenhushing and what are the five key things companies should consider in a more regulated space?
The Start-Up Journey – Putting the Jigsaw Together
How can a start-up turn founding principles into action? Here are the five fundamental questions Sizzle has faced six months into our journey.
Chinks of Light - where to find hope
With increasingly stark scientific warnings it is no wonder that climate anxiety is growing, so where are the chinks of light that can give us hope?
The Start Up Journey - Part 3
Creating a Start Up can feel like pushing a snowball up hill but then change happens suddenly and you are rushing to keep up. Here are our latest thoughts on creating a new social impact organisation.
Why Radical Collaboration is important and difficult
Addressing global challenges is complex. Delivering solutions is often outside the scope of any one organisation or sector leading to growing interest in the concept of Radical Collaboration.
Three lessons for the transition to Net Zero
For 30 years environmental groups have unsuccessfully sought to ban the sale of peat. There are three important lessons for the wider transition to Net Zero
The Start Up Journey – Part Two
As my start up journey continues, I reflect on the key difference in work patterns from my previous role and outline five essential things that need to be in place in order to create systemic change at scale.
Five reasons why we need a slow garden movement
Gardening is facing the pressure of people wanting to see immediate results. This trend for instant gratification has environmental consequences. You can’t hurry nature and our gardening habits need to reflect this reality.
How can we avoid Net Zero being side-lined?
With UK politics in turmoil, the cost of living crisis hitting pockets hard and sweeping public spending cuts in the pipeline there is a real danger that Net Zero commitments will be ditched. How can we stop this happening?
Finding a sustainable alternative to peat
Phasing out the sale of commercial peat has been on the environmental ‘to do’ list for 30 years. What can be done to hasten the move to sustainable alternatives? Sizzle has been investigating.
The Sizzle Index
Sizzle aims to make it easier for everybody to live greener lives by changing the way services and products are delivered. But how can a small start-up decide where it can make a real impact? Our answer is the Sizzle Index and we would love to hear your thoughts on this approach.
The Challenges of a Start Up
What is it like to start an organisation from scratch. Here are my reflections on the joys and challenges after the first month of starting Sizzle.
Will 2022 be the year the UK faces a water crisis?
July 2022 was the driest July in England since 1935. Will this be the year when the UK faces a water crisis due to lack of long-term planning? My thoughts on the current situation & the changes needed to create a more sustainable water industry
Creating a Sizzle
The United Nations states that the environmental crisis is a ‘code red’ for humanity. Rapid and significant change is required. The way products and services are provided needs to be reimagined to drastically reduce environmental impact. Collaboration must be at the heart of this change, uniting representatives from across society to spark new ideas and approaches. Sizzle is a new organisation seeking to create a space where this change can happen.