Book Launch and Celebration of Grassroots Activism

Thursday, 3 July 2025

On a bright and breezy Thursday in London, over 110 people came together to do more than celebrate a book launch — we built momentum for a movement. A Changemaker’s Guidebook: Tools to Save Our Home Planet was launched not just as a publication, but as a living toolkit powered by people, purpose, and community.

From running the streets to powering up ideas, the day was filled with insightful activities, reflections, and joy.

Running Up for Air

We kicked off with a neighbourhood run led by Martin Johnson and Agamemnon Otero. In this interactive session, participants ran through London’s streets before arriving at our baffle green wall project — a living installation that actively reshapes air quality. There, we were joined by Dr Tilly Collins and explored how shaping air with green infrastructure can improve urban health. Green infrastructure isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about access, health, and equity in the spaces we share.

Power to, for, and by the People

In another space, attendees turned their attention to energy — its sources, its systems, and its social impact. After a screening of Patagonia’s We The Power, our COO Martin Sedgwick sparked an open conversation about Energy Garden’s innovative environmental and social Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and how community-owned solar can directly benefit people and the planet. The session grounded complex topics in real-world successes, a powerful reminder that energy justice starts from the ground up.

A Book Launch Rooted in Real Stories

The afternoon culminated in a moving celebration of A Changemaker’s Guidebook: Tools to Save Our Home Planet, featuring opening words from Alex Beasley, Patagonia’s Regional Manager for Northern Europe.

This was followed by reflections from contributors who embody the book’s ethos: collaboration, courage, and care. Agamemnon Otero and Deepa Padmanabha shared their personal journeys of community organising, reminding us that change is not linear — it spirals through failure, adaptation, and trust, allowing time to reflect, grow, and celebrate the process.

We were especially honoured to hear from two of our youth trainees, Aanchal and Huda, whose stories reminded us of our own connection with nature and the Land, why we do this work, and who we do it for.

More Than a Launch

The energy in the room was electric, fuelled by everyone’s enthusiasm. Thank you to all who joined us and brought their questions, experiences, and passion to mark this exciting moment. You reminded us that community-led climate action isn’t an abstract idea — it’s happening right here, right now, and we’re all part of it.