Adroddiad tystiolaeth Cymru Wrth-hiliol: Green Soul

This report is a record of conversations and testimonies of people of ethnic minority background in Wales talking about their experiences of racism and their ideas and ambitions for climate change and environmental matters.

Many of these conversations were held in languages other than English or Welsh and translated by the dialogue convenors or conversations were held in English, bearing in mind, for many participants, English is a second language. As these reports reflect what was actually said, they have not been translated into Welsh.

Green Soul have compiled this research report in co-production with the Welsh Government. Green Soul is a grassroots community organisation supporting marginalised groups in gaining the necessary knowledge to engage in greening, growing and environmental stewardship. 

The Welsh Government is committed to make Wales an anti-racist nation by 2030. 

The Anti-racist [Wales Action] plan takes a co-production approach to developing the plans and seeks to include people of ethnic minority background at every stage. Therefore, the Welsh Government commissioned Green Soul to undertake a community dialogue in the Environment, climate change, growing, green space and countryside (Rural Affairs) aspects of life. (Anti-racist Wales action plan, 2023).

This study sought to engage with community groups, individuals and stake-holder organisations to examine the views and priorities of communities of colour in areas such as: 

• climate change issues: the role of society in tackling climate change, supporting action at an individual and community level. A just transition to a net zero economy and climate change adaptation
• growing your own food: for community, health, dietary choice, environmental or climate change reasons. Access to community growing, gardens, access to allotments or community gardens
• recreation:  green space and access to the countryside and coastal areas

Green Soul as an equalities organisation would like to highlight the wishes of our participants to use the correct language when referencing them in this report so we will seek to refer to respondents wherever possible as people of colour, communities of colour and minoritised. We view that this is language that seeks to liberate and emancipate so we will endeavour to refer to respondents as such throughout.

The report seeks to explore the views and experiences of minoritised communities in relation to environmentalism, access to green spaces, access to locally grown produced, visiting to countryside and coasts. The Sample frame that was used in this research was relatively small in relation to the population of Black and minoritised people that live in Wales. There are approximately 89,000 black and minority ethnic people living in Wales according to the 2019 Census Records (ONS,2021). We engaged with over 100 people using a mixed method approach. 

The methods that were used included surveys, focus groups and interviews. We utilised a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods to gauge the views, feelings, experiences of community of colour In Wales. 

The majority of respondents resided in South Wales, were between the ages of 18 to 60 and self identified as ‏Black African, Black Caribbean, Asian, Arab, other. The data was analysed using a thematic and statistical approach. 

Considerations were made with respect to the advantages and disadvantages of using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Qualitative methods are an incredibly precise tool in the way that it only gathers raw data. Quantitative methods are unable to deal with questions that require specific feedback and often lack a human element.

The advantages of using qualitative methods includes the opportunity to explore the perspectives, stories, feelings, or behaviours of the participants or subjects. It can also capture the context, culture, or diversity of the situations or environments. The disadvantages are It can be subjective, inconsistent, or difficult to verify. Qualitative data can be influenced by the researcher's assumptions, biases, or interpretations.

Green Soul held Community conversations, interviews and distributed surveys to a variety of community groups and individuals. Over 100 respondents were consulted to provide their views, feelings and experiences. 

These groups included 3 South Wales based groups

1. a youth group
2. a women's group
3. a community organisation that supports minoritised people

Green Soul also engaged with various individuals to glean their views in more detail by conducting interviews, a survey was also distributed widely which returned a good number of responses.

Demographics

Below is a summary of the demographics of those that were engaged in this research study.

Data displaying the areas that respondents lived in Wales

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Concerns around the climate crisis

Concerns around climate action were expressed by all groups of people throughout the research study. A particular appreciation was noted of the difference in experiencing of climate issues between minoritised communities and other communities. 

The issues felt closer to home for so many of the respondents and disposing of waste in global majority countries, natural disasters, flooding, drought and famine in their home countries were a testimony to that.

Climate change affects people of colour in a myriad of ways, not least the destruction of natural habitats and the extraction of minerals. Many of whom I spoke to felt that climate change issues needed to be centred. Communities of colour who experienced first hand the destruction of natural habitats needed to have some level of agency when it came to organising, conversing and taking action around climate issues. 

We need to look at environmental and climate change issues with decolonising in mind. People of colour in Wales and in the UK at large need to reframe the narratives around climate change, environmentalism and the need for urgent action to platform the voice of marginalised communities.

This is echoed by the Runnymede Trust in their report on Racism and the environmental emergency and they said that:

People of colour across the globe bear the brunt of an environmental emergency that, for the most part, they did not create. Yet their struggles have repeatedly been ignored by those in positions of power. Global governance systems, including international climate negotiations, have for decades failed to act to protect the lives of people of colour.’ (Runnymede Trust, 2022)

During this study there was mention made several times of the need to utilise indigenous wisdom and practice as some form of route to solving the Climate catastrophe. The report on racism and the environmental emergency looks more deeply at the implications that colonisation, slavery and the ruins of empire have had on global south countries, discussions on racism and the environmental emergency cannot be had meaningfully without looking back at history. 

The report on Racism and the environmental emergency states that:

Today’s environmental injustices are the result of centuries of exploitation and violence inflicted on people of colour, particularly in the global South. The British Empire, and the corporations it sponsored, raked in enormous riches from slavery, cheap labour and the plunder of raw materials worth trillions of dollars. Thanks to technological advances and colonial oppression, rich countries have squeezed huge profits out of the fossil fuel economy, setting us on a path of dependence on fossil fuels and causing much of the associated emissions, leaving the global South poorer and more exposed to the environmental emergency as a result.’ (Runnymede, 2022).

In light of this there really needs to be a systematic change when it comes to elevating racialised voices which is why the Anti Racist Wales Action Plan needs to understand the needs of people of colour when it plans towards a more equitable Wales. 

The discourse is ever evolving and an acknowledgement needs to be made of this. 

The Runnymede Trust further explains:

To truly tackle the huge, converging crises and injustices we face, it has never been more important to understand the links between the environmental emergency and systemic racism.’ (Runnymede, 2022) 

Climate action groups

Many respondents felt that they were unable to connect with traditional climate action groups.

Apprehension towards climate groups was found across the board for a range of reasons.

Some mentioned a worry about joining groups that took radical direct action due to fears of being criminalised. Groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil can often be viewed as vigilante style groups and black and brown people would not ordinarily like to be associated with such groups that carry reputations that can go against the narrative of being a law abiding citizen. 

Nonetheless we can't deny the important work that groups such as these are doing but perhaps a person of colour who had an interest in joining a climate action group would need to explore the role they would like to play in these groups.

Other worries stemmed from not being accepted, having nothing of substance to share and generally feeling out of place amongst these groups. A summary of the discussions with various groups and individuals can be found in the ensuing chapters and within the appendices of this report.

Climate Change

What the ensuing climate crisis means to minoritised individuals was interesting to observe.

The majority of respondents shared an understanding of the impacts of climate change, this was echoed throughout the community conversation sessions. The majority of the respondents stated that they were somewhat informed on climate issues.

When asked about their understanding of what the climate crisis was they stated:

Floods  

Extinct species; penguins

Global warming

air pollution

Lack of Breathing spaces

Air quality

Changes in Weather

Global warming

apocalypse

Reduced biodiversity

habitats destroyed

Carbon footprint

overuse of finite resources

There was a clear concern amongst minoritised people around the climate catastrophe this was often due to their moral standpoints but was also motivated by their own lived experience.

Impacts of Climate Change

When expressing their feelings around the impacts of climate change one respondent cited that:

It's a destruction of the environment and feels like it's affecting developing countries more. The seasons are prolonged and the weather is not regular, my country of origin is affected by the climate changing rapidly and people's livelihoods are affected especially in farming and livestock industries.

Another said:

I think we need to implement a revolutionary change in terms of our way of living and in what we understand as wellbeing, the way we consume, the way we shop, and the way we live and time is running out.

As Muslims care of the environment is part of our religion. we already understand through that lens.

When asked about their degree of concern around the climate crisis answers ranged from extremely concerned, somewhat concerned and very concerned.

There was not a single respondent who didn’t share some degree of worry or concern about the climate crisis.

Many people offered deeper answers that although they were very concerned there was not much they felt they could do. The effects of climate change were a concern for all citizens no matter who they were, and all voices should be considered during climate conversations. They also shared some worries about western countries offsetting their own waste to global majority countries.

They stated:

Climate change is something that affects us all, my concern is that not all voices are being considered when looking at solutions for the climate crisis’.

I feel like we are trying to offset our waste and make it another countries problem.

Climate activism

There is a clear desire amongst communities of colour to engage in environmental action in Wales. However there was a feeling amongst people of colour that the climate and environment sector was not diverse enough, leading to them feeling disengaged and dissuaded from partaking in climate activism. These views are echoed by a 2017 Policy Exchange report that ranked the environment sector ‘as the second least ethnically diverse in the UK.’ (Policy Exchange,2017)

The majority of respondents stated that they had not been involved in climate action in Wales. There was some mention from younger respondents of engaging in climate activism but even amongst this cohort the uptake was still very little.

When asked the type of involvement the 20% of those who have engaged in climate activism had been within the survey, it was revealed that climate groups were the second most popular answer to the type of involvement individuals had, with the majority stating that they had other types of involvement.

Data from survey displaying the types of involvement people had with climate activism

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Barriers to engaging in climate action

The barriers to engaging climate action ranged from the way in which messages around climate action were being delivered to individuals, lack of time, and concerns around a lack of knowledge on climate issues to be able to participate fully.

The comments that were shared included:

One of the barriers is that the messages on climate change are given to us in a patronising way.

I feel I don’t have the knowledge to engage in climate action in a meaningful way.

People shouldn't be shamed when talking about climate action. we need to be respectful and meet people where they are.

Wales has shown a commitment to addressing some of the barriers that exists between different communities by committing to creating A More Equal Wales in the Well-being Future Generations Act (2015).

A society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances (including their socio-economic circumstances).

The Welsh commitment to the climate crisis 

Wellbeing of Future Generations

Further sentiments have been expressed by the Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015) for its citizens to become stewards of the land and protect our natural environment and move towards a just transition. In its desire to create a more resilient Wales it says that it hopes to become:

A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning eco-systems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change. (Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015)

Welsh Government Net Zero Climate Plan

In the Welsh Government's Net Zero Climate Plan it was also expressed that:

Addressing the climate and ecological emergency is the most significant challenge for our generation. (Net Zero Plan,2023)

The Welsh Government has shown an appreciation and commitment to addressing the climate emergency with a realistic sense of where it should be positioned amongst the challenges of the Welsh nation.

Mitigating the effects of climate change

Respondents when asked how they feel they could contribute towards the fight against climate change they opined:

I am very concerned about this. I think that there is a narrative asking us, as individuals, to stop climatic change... I think this narrative is there to hide the real problem because the real problem is not individual behaviour, but system architecture... we need to address this problem as a community with political change, political investment and addressing what is the main cause of this situation.

Our governments need to do something about the problems of climate change.

If the viewpoints of people of colour are looked at against the commitment set out within policy and from within the Welsh Government itself we can observe an alignment between the wants and needs of communities of colour in Wales and the desire of policy makers and our governments to intervene in making Wales a better place to live.

Alleviating barriers to climate action

An observation was made that climate action organisations need to take into account the live experiences of people of colour from global majority countries and support needs to be given to the communities who are working on the front-line of this disaster.

One of the respondent stated:

I think it's going to be a good idea within these groups that wants to fight against climatic change and change policies, to be a bit more humble and look to what is being done in other countries and support communities working in other countries.

Green spaces

In accessing green spaces the majority of respondents were able to access green spaces fairly easily within urban settings. The majority of the respondents were from South Wales and were living within more inner city, urban areas. The issues that most people raised was not the lack of green space in their locality but more of a question of the quality of these green spaces and the degree to which they felt they were welcome in these spaces. Although there were some comments made about the proximity of green spaces from respondents' homes, wider concerns also exist and have been documented in relation to accessing green spaces in the UK.

Respondents said:

I live so far from any green space that I don’t consider the nearest one local to me.

Wales is such a green beautiful country but i've never had the opportunity to explore it.

Wider research also explains that proximity to Green spaces is one of the pressing concerns when being able to access green space locally. The research from the Fields in Trust charity finds that:

Nearly 2.8 million people in the UK live more than 10 minutes walk from a public park, garden or playing field, according to research.

They also cite that:

The worst region for accessibility to green space was Wales, where one in 13 people lived more than 10 minutes from a park or public garden.

Considering the vastness in green space in Wales this figure reveals a wider issue that certainly needs to be addressed in providing better opportunities for Welsh people to be able to engage and interact with these spaces.

The stark reality of living in an urban setting is that your ability to access green spaces will be severely limited and good quality green space will not be readily available. The Runnymede Trust in an article they published called The race factor in access to green space said:

People of colour are more likely to live in urban areas with a ‘deficiency of access' to green spaces, defined by the London Plan in terms of how far households need to travel to access a space, but also its quality and size. Without this natural buffer to the stresses of urban life, black and minority ethnic (BME) people are disproportionately affected by environmental conditions which evoke stress and harm our health. (Runnymede, 2020)

The article said that:

As humans our habitat matters. Most people of colour in the UK live in urban areas, (percentages by ethnic group: 99.1% of Pakistani, 98.7% of Bangladeshi, 98.2% of Black African, 97.9% of Black Caribbean, 97.3% of Indian and 94.2% of Chinese people) and therefore are disproportionately impacted by unhealthy city environments. (Runnymede, 2020)

This is a reminder that communities of colour are sadly still disproportionately affected by the environmental factors that can be detrimental to your health and well-being due to them being densely populated in urban environments in the UK.

The Fields in Trust, a UK charity provides an index that measures various factors in relation to green spaces including the average amount of green space per person, the number of people without ten- minute walking access to green spaces, the total amount of green space available, the percentage of legally protected parks and green spaces. The Fields in Trust site also allows you to explore an interactive map that measures the amount of green space in your locality.

Latest statistics in the United Kingdom for Green Spaces from Fields in Trust (Fields in Trust, 2023)

• Average amount of green space per person: 30m squared
• People without ten-minute walking access to a green space: 6.1 million
• Total amount of green space: 198,134ha
• Legally protected Green Space: only 6%

This data measured the ability for respondents to enjoy green spaces, the figures that 56.4% said that they had the ability to enjoy green spaces despite the factors that were mentioned by respondents in relation to the improvements that were needed in green spaces.

Connectivity to Green Spaces

Alongside many different factors, green spaces in urban spaces were not functional enough for them to feel a connection to nature and for many green spaces felt uninviting. There was a sense from those who took part in this study that green spaces were very much needed in order for them to maintain a sense of personal well-being.

It was said by one person that:

I personally look for green spaces to spend time in as I need that connection with nature. 

Maintenance of green spaces 

Others recognised the lack of maintenance as one of the main barriers to them being able to enjoy being within these spaces:

The park nearest me doesn’t look like the park in the neighbouring area, which is wealthier, my local park lacks beauty.

The green spaces we have currently in communities are not maintained.

Those who have the authority don’t maintain or respect our local green spaces.

Social issues and green spaces

A range of social issues were cited as being a barrier for communities in taking enjoyment in green spaces:

The green spaces are not respected in areas where there is a bigger population of ethnic minority people.

Canal Park in the docks has lots of needles left over from drug users.

Enhancements to green spaces

When looking at how green spaces need to be enhanced and improved respondents stated. There should be:

Better Play equipment

good amount of space to spend time with friends and family

well looked after green spaces

more biodiversity

Planting of trees and shrubbery

More fruit trees and bushes

Accessibility of green spaces/ potential barriers

Many respondents cited the lack of transport as a contributing factor to them not being able to enjoy and interact with green spaces in Wales. They said:

we live in Wales and it is very green but for me transport would be an issue if I were to venture out

Knowing which local green spaces exist and if there public, if there slightly further away that would present as a barrier for me

There are some nice spaces locally but it can be hard to get to without a car

accessibility with transport

I like to go to the Brecon Beacons occasionally, but I wouldn’t know how to get there if I didn’t have my car

It was also highlighted that a sense of safety and the inability to take personal stewardship as minoritised communities were factors contributing to respondents not being able to fully enjoy these settings.

We need more park rangers to make us feel safe

Maybe encouraging a wider range of people being part of organising in green spaces and also making groups aware of the diversity of individuals in our community

In light of this the former Future Generations Commissioner:

Sophie Howe has asked the Welsh Government to set standards to ensure people can access natural green space within 300m of their home that could be roughly a two-to four minute walk, a short wheelchair journey, or around a one-minute cycle.’ (Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, 2020)

This displays a level of commitment to the accessibility of green spaces and this was echoed in three recommendations that Ms Howe made in her Manifesto for the future where she promoted Green spaces on the doorstep:

• Recommendation 10: ensure people can access natural green space within 300 metres of their home. ‘
• ‘Recommendation 11: commit to greening your communities by delivering 20% tree canopy cover in every town and city in Wales by 2030.’ 
• ‘Recommendation 12: require green infrastructure to be delivered as part of every new development and Welsh Government funded schemes such as school improvement, community and health facilities etc.’ (Manifesto for the future,2020)

Countryside and coast

There seemed to be a large number of respondents who have visited rural areas at least once in their lifetime and experiences that were shared after visiting were mostly positive with the majority of respondents citing that they had very good experiences. The main issue that seems to have arisen when it comes to visiting the countryside was feelings of apprehension by some respondents due to their racial or religious identities or an intersection of the two. The majority of respondents were not already living in rural areas so they were somewhat unfamiliar with these types of settings, transport to these locations was also mentioned in many cases as an issue but the chief concern was that of safety and security.

One respondent stated:

I have felt worried and cautious about visiting rural spaces.

This respondent expressed her faith outwardly through her dress and she would be worried about visiting these areas, her concerns centre around people's attitude and their perception and views of people that don’t look like her. Their views on people with different values. She said that she would be willing to visit these areas if she was part of a wider group and would feel more comfortable.

In an article by Ramblers UK: Breaking Down Barriers to Countryside Access it was noted:

Indirect racism and systemic problems disadvantage minorities and marginalised people. Anyone should be able to walk out of their front door and have a sense of belonging and freedom in the natural environment. It goes deeper than broadening the right to roam, because cultural barriers need to be broken too.

Many of those that I spoke to were worried about  how they would  be perceived in rural areas.

Another respondent cited that they:

Would love to visit but I don’t have the know-how, equipment, clothing and I don't feel connected with those who have the knowledge.

This was often the case for communities of colour on lower incomes, the expectation in wider society is that everyone is well-equipped to visit rural spaces and that most people have the necessary kit to do or will to do so. A few sentiments about this very issue were expressed in an article by Ramblers UK on Breaking down barriers to countryside access the author said:

The UK has one of the biggest gulfs between rich and poor, and Black and minority ethnic households are twice as likely to live in poverty than their white counterparts. If you’re dealing with the day-to-day burden of living in poverty, the last thing on your mind is going for a hike.

Data that measures the experiences of those who visited the countryside/coast

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Factors contributing to not being able to visit rural areas

There were various factors contributing to respondents inability to visit rural settings but some of the reasons given were based on perceptions and transport. Some of the comments included:

There is a lack of confidence from many in visiting these spaces

There is no opportunity to visit these spaces

There isn't any reliable transport..

It can be costly and also there is no support from anyone in authority to subsidise trips

Transport is a big issue for getting to the countryside and coast

Opportunities to visit these spaces should be created

The countryside access is a problem, even in my 40’s I don’t feel comfortable

I do dream of living in the country; but because I'm covered im not sure I could

Black Asian Minority Ethnic people don’t feel comfortable as we don’t know how we will be received

As minoritised people we do have to consider how we will be perceived in these settings

‘You may feel like a fish out of water’

‘There is an element of taking a gamble as a minority visiting these spaces’

‘There is a lot of prejudice in these settings’

Data from survey when asking whether respondents would visit the countryside/coast if given the opportunity:

• Yes: 96.4%
• No: 3.6%

Data from survey when asking whether respondents would visit the countryside/coast if given the opportunity

The vast majority of those who engaged in the research study indicated a desire to visit the countryside, all mitigating factors aside. On learning about this throughout the research study we planned to take a sample of respondents to a countryside location allowing them to experience a countryside setting in a group setting to promote feelings of safety and security. The National Trust in Wales partnered with Green Soul to facilitate this visit and the following chapter in greater detail on the location of the visit and the ensuing experiences of attendees.

Trip to Dinefwr Park (National Trust)

The trip to Dinefwr Castle and Park on the 21 October 2023 was organised by Green Soul in partnership with the National Trust in Wales. The National Trust in Wales has shown a great commitment to opening up access to communities of colour in engaging with their sites and providing an equitable view of the history of some of the estates in their trust. 

In the 12th century, the fortress was in the possession of The Lord Rhys, ruler of the ancient south Wales kingdom of Deheubarth. His reign saw a rare period of peace and stability for the Kingdom.

The Castle is a site that is ‘Perched in a commanding hilltop position above the Tywi Valley, Dinefwr Castle occupies a similarly significant position in Welsh history.

The National Trust has been extremely transparent in addressing the histories of slavery and colonialism of some of the estates in their possession. It is heartening to see the efforts that have been made to open up access to some of these spaces that have deeply significant histories for so many.

The National Trust kindly provided a free visit for a group of 43 Adults and Children who were able to explore the Castle and Park freely. 

A guided tour of the estate by National Trust staff was also provided; our larger group was divided into 2 groups, the first consisting of adults and younger children and the second being a mixture of adults and older children. 

The National Trust staff provided a fun and exciting activity for the group of younger children and their parents, beginning with a short walk that included collecting objects in nature that they would later weave into a cardboard loom.

The second group which consisted of adults and young adults were taken for a hike around the vast estate that lasted for around an hour. The time spent in nature was truly magnificent and the opportunity that was afforded to Green Soul to coordinate the visit was truly amazing. 

The day was truly eventful and all of the families shared some amazing feedback.

We asked if they would like to visit spaces such as Dinefwr Castle and Park again and the overwhelming response was that they would love to but transport was the main factor that was preventing them from visiting countryside settings.

When asked about the highlights of the trip they stated:

The historical place

nice space

Being active whilst also having our kids with us

The nature walk or hike

The Countryside

The Deer Park and castle ruins

The Café and Museum

inside the museum

the view from the castle

The tour

The activity with the kids

The animals and fields

I loved the hike

The Deer Park was a highlight for me

Pretty castle

peaceful

Being in nature

Connecting with nature beside my children

The view and the fresh air

The walk in nature to the castle ruins

The walk

The tour guides explanations

Listening to the history of the park and house

the history of the building

The majority of those who answered the survey said that they were unaware of or were unable to engage in growing initiatives locally.

Data from survey measuring awareness and ability to engage in growing initiatives:

• Yes: 43.1%
• No: 56.9%

Growing and access to locally grown food

Growing own food was relatively difficult for the vast majority of people across all groups. Issues around space and skill set came up often. Many respondents felt unable to grow at home as they lacked resources or knowledge.

Some respondents stated ‘I feel proud of growing communally’.

This respondent took part in a pilot project in Cardiff that was led by a woman of colour which focused on growing vegetables traditionally used in African and Caribbean cooking. The project was called: Back to our Roots; Growing and Sharing without Borders. 

The group was a supported group of around 15 to 20 members and they took part in a grow along documenting the journey on a WhatsApp group. The group met around once a month to learn about growing at home in a variety of spaces and conditions and to celebrate the joy of growing your own culturally significant vegetables. The group was run by Carol Adams of Food Adventures and was funded by the Soil association. (Food Cardiff,2023)

This respondent commented on her experience in taking part of the pilot project and said that ‘The communal aspect was the thing that made it enjoyable and if there was a space where you could learn and grow together then that would be fulfilling’

Growing groups in the community 

There was an overwhelming response around engagement in growing initiatives around Wales. To contextualise this discussion the majority of respondents were from Cardiff, South Wales. It was Important to learn of the experiences of minoritised people in Wales when it came to joining into activities in community growing settings such as gardening groups. 

When respondents were asked to relay their experiences of community growing they stated that:

One respondent relayed an adverse experience and said:

Where I live is diverse but a lot of growing groups don't reflect that...Our community group tried to get access to a shared community garden at a local community centre so that people that attend the sessions could have a time and space to grow…It felt like a struggle and then it becomes tiresome….Feels disingenuous as the community centres that run the garden have diverse staff and the area is diverse but there is a gatekeeper type of behaviour.

Others said:

Have tried to grow in an allotment, i found the organisers were friendly but still lacked representation at the allotment.

The timing was not right...growing as a group would be better as the workload would have been distributed.

I have been involved in one group before but it was a project that ended. 

I want to grow food in my new allotment space.

I have previously engaged in local growing groups and have often felt isolated from the people running and participating in the activities as they were not very inclusive for people of colour. I have also worked in the gardening sector and have faced a lot of bias and discrimination there due to my identity as a Muslim black woman.

I did attend a group a few years ago with my kids and the facilitators were friendly but the participants felt uncomfortable to speak or approach us. I tried making an effort but they didn't engage with us.

Many people cited adverse or negative experiences. They said that people felt out of place: they did not feel they belonged or were wanted in these spaces.

In Cardiff there are over 45 community growing initiatives who belong to the Edible Cardiff Network, ‘a grassroots network of ‘growers’- local people, groups and organisations across Cardiff who grow their own produce –fruit, vegetables, herbs, salads, flowers and trees.’ (Edible Cardiff, 2021).

On further examination it seems that none of these groups were run by or for people of colour.

There has been a clear disparity identified in this area. It saddens us to hear and learn of the experiences of minoritised People in Wales in relation to community growing. 

Locally grown food 

Those majority of respondents stated that they did not have access to locally grown food and provided some reasoning for this in wider discussions.

Data from survey measuring access to locally grown food:

• Yes: 31.5%
• No: 68.5%

Access to locally grown food was also very difficult for many who cited that there were often no shops locally that stocked this type of food. 

This was in part due to the majority of respondents being city dwellers who had little access to farmers, or growers of any scale to purchase farm goods.

There was mention of a local farmers market amongst some respondents however this option proved difficult with respondents usually lacking financial resources. 

The farmers market in question was the Cardiff Farmers Market. The Cardiff market runs weekly at Riverside, Roath and Rhiwbina. The Market was launched in 1998 by a group of local food enthusiasts in a small park in the heart of the Riverside community, the Market has grown to become one of the best-known farmers' markets in the U.K. (Cardiff Farmers Market:2023). The majority of respondents lived in Cardiff, mainly inner city Cardiff.

There was a real desire to be able to obtain locally grown produce, mainly vegetables but some people preferred to purchase culturally significant vegetables, spices and herbs for cooking purposes this was usually only available in specialised stockists of cultural food. In Cardiff Clare Foods store provided a range of culturally significant foods. They stocked vegetables and herbs commonly used in south Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and other global south countries.

The majority of participants said that they had no access to local food.

When respondents were asked what influences their food purchasing they stated: 

Cost and how easy it is to access

I eat Halal meat so can't find that there

local places to shop

I like going to buy butter and milk but it feels like it’s a luxury

I am a meat eater and I eat a lot of chicken so it’s the price for me

I would always buy lamb but now good quality, organic meat is very expensive

It depends on my ability to purchase local food.. If I'm struggling one month I tend to go to the local supermarket.. If I have a little more money I end up buying at the farmers market or health food shop

I do want to be healthy but I just can't afford to be

It is all about planning for me

I feel my food choices have changed due to cost factors

vegetables are very expensive to purchase 

Purchasing good food

The impact of not being able to purchase good quality food was cited by some respondents who said:

It will affect your health in the long if you don’t make good food choices

I feel guilty as I'm the main buyer in the household and the main cook.. The quality of food that we are eating is not the best

the cost of living crisis has really crippled my ability to eat nutritionally dense foods

I would love to shop in a buying group amongst friends so we can obtain good quality staples such as lentils, nuts, rice

In the Net Zero Strategic Plan the Welsh Government stated that they:

• We hold an estimated 1,534 hectares of land either owned or under various leasing arrangements, with the objective to support wider economic development policy to deliver a more prosperous and fairer Wales.’ (Net Zero Plan,2022)
• They hold land for various wider economic development, perhaps a portion of this land can be dedicated for a community based growing.

The objective of green soul in compiling this research was to highlight experiences whether positive or negative of racialised people in Wales.

What does taking an anti-racist approach mean in the context of the environment, access to green spaces and the countryside, obtaining local food and the ability to engage in community scale growing?

This needs to be examined in the wider context of Welsh society and the central tenant of moving towards an Anti-Racist Wales is the unequivocal attention that needs to be paid to minoritised voices In Wales. In the following chapters of this report this has been displayed through the sharing and exploring of the voices of communities of colour and the interesting perspectives that you have found weaved throughout this report.

Cardiff Farmers Market, Rhiwbina Market (2023) [Accessed: 5 October 2023]

Edible Cardiff, What is the Edible Cardiff Network? (2021): [Accessed: 5 October 2023]

Fields in Trust, Green Space Index (2023): [Accessed 28 September 2023]

Food Cardiff, Guest Post; Carol Adams - Founder of Back to Our Roots (2023): [Accessed: 7 October 2023]

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, (2020): [Accessed: 3 October 2023]

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales: Manifesto for the Future (2020 [Accessed:9th September 2023]

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, (2015): [Accessed: 9 October 2023]

Gayle, D. (2022). Green spaces are not accessible for 2.8m people in the UK, finds study. [Accessed: 10 October 2023]

National Trust Wales, Colonialism and Historic Slavery Report (2023): [Accessed: 7 October 2023]

Office of National Statistics, Ethnic Group England and Wales (2021): [Accessed 9 October 2023]

Policy Exchange The Two Sides of Diversity. Which are the most ethnically diverse occupations? (2017): [Accessed: 1 October 2023]

Ramblers, Breaking Down Barriers to Countryside Access (2023): [Accessed: 5 October 2023]

Runnymede Trust, Confronting Injustice and the Environmental Emergency (2022):

Confronting Injustice: Racism and the Environmental Emergency [Accessed: 11 October 2023]

Runnymede Trust, The Race Factor in Access to Green Spaces (2020): The Runnymede Trust | The race factor in access to green space [Accessed: 28 September 2023]

Welsh Government, Anti Racist Wales Action Plan (2023): [Accessed: 2 October 2023]

Welsh Government, Welsh Government's Net Zero Strategic Plan (2022): [Accessed: 3 October 2023]

Barriers Faced when participating in climate action in Wales

• As a young Black, Muslim woman I simply didn't feel aligned with the climate groups that were available to join’
• ‘I didn't feel included'
• ‘I don't see people that look like me attending so I feel uncomfortable.’
• No representation or cultural understanding within the industry
• Not enough knowledge about climate action, lack of advocates or advocates of colour
• No cultural competency from organisers
• Understanding, cultural barriers, resources and engagement
• Lack of diversity
• Lack of information
• Unsupportive community groups in some instances, with a lack of commitment to taking climate action or properly supporting volunteers to do so
• Most group activities are in Cardiff and therefore not easily accessible for me
• Police Thuggery and Ignorance
• I have never heard about them
• Not much going on to educate local people on environmental issues
• The individuals who are organising and running climate initiatives also make little to no effort to inform and invite people from diverse backgrounds
• There is little effort to reach out to Black Asian Minority Ethnic communities within my city and encourage them to actively participate
• I feel there is a lack of diversity and inclusion within climate initiative groups
• Not been included
• Lack of access to information
• I cannot get involved in any climate action because there is nothing for my age
• Lack of knowledge
• Not really understanding it
• None, I haven't really gotten involved
• Lack of council support for our community allotment
• I don't feel like I have a representative in that arena
• I haven't seen any advertising to get involved in groups locally
• Travel and cost, as a young person not being able to access travel as I don't drive
• I haven't been able to find the right groups
• I felt that my race was underrepresented

What could improve your access to green spaces locally

• Better care of the environment from the Council and the public
• More bigger and well kept
• I tend to find that inner city areas have less access to green spaces. But the green space we do have tend to be poorly maintained or neglected. This isn't the case in more affluent areas
• More awareness of green spaces
• If there were more inclusive and safe spaces
• The Green spaces local to me need better investment and as I live in a fairly economically deprived area, these spaces are not well maintained.
• Time is a great issue, once I finish work and house chores, including cooking, even if I want to I feel too tired to go out to green spaces
• More people from base community getting involved and running activities
• Representatives and employees of different backgrounds. More safety and security when accessing green spaces
• Better transport links
• Cleanliness, access for all abilities and cost
• More activities for both the youth and the elderly
• More awareness
• Host events and clubs in green spaces for all ages
• I think in my local green spaces there could be more things for young people
• Less dog poop, better lighting, better transport access
• Inclusivity
• Control of dogs that roam around parks without leads. Also, the cleaning up of dog foul
• I have access to multiple green spaces within my area, however I feel reluctant to take part as the individuals and organisers of these spaces make little effort to include supporters who are from diverse backgrounds. I have attempted to join a gardening group near me, but was given little to do by the organiser and felt a sense of racial tension as the other helpers were of Caucasian background. She expressed an open and upbeat atmosphere around them, however around me she had little to say and much less for me to do. Diversifying these spaces does not only extend to the individual who shows an interest but to the organisers and administrators of these community initiatives
• Transportation and safe disability access
• Its ok for me
• More facilities for kids, tree swings etc
• more transport available, better connections and lower prices of the transport in general
• Improving anti social behaviour, more seats/benches
• There used to be trees on our street and local vicinity until the council chopped them down. Having more plants and trees would be a start. Also, more spaces for parks and walks would be nice but I am also aware of limitations in inner city Cardiff
• Not sure
• A no dog zone. The only part of Roath Park that doesn’t have dog mess is the children's area. Everywhere else you're looking down in front of yourself as your walking to make sure you and the children don’t walk in poo. Many owners aren't cleaning up after their dogs anymore
• Better investment in local green spaces and affordable transport facilities to Green Spaces in less accessible or remote rural areas
• These green spaces being more community led are not managed /controlled by small groups of people. Often these groups in control do not reflect the diversity in our community
• Better protection of green spaces. For example ensuring the green spaces that are available are protected from vandalism, drug use etc
• More involvement from my community. Lack of awareness of local green spaces
• Less hooligans
• More events and educational activities More food growing in city More workshops raising awareness about ecology More active travel options
• There are lots of needles around in local parks and I don't feel safe due to that. It would be nice if this could be cleaned up
• If green space local to me were better and had less litter and more interesting and beautiful plants
• I live in an area with two parks and I am able to access them pretty easily
• Better spaces, cleaner and more attractive
• More nice green spaces for my family to enjoy

Awareness and engagement in growing initiatives

• I have not attended any
• Limited experience
• Not accessible to Black Asian Minority Ethnic residents
• I am aware of growing initiatives, and have attempted to interact with the groups organising these activities but have felt a sense of rejection and disingenuous behaviour towards others who are ethnically and culturally diverse
• Not welcomed in Grangetown as it’s for a particular target audience
• There is not enough information about these groups
• Feeling left out
• Local growing groups are always run by majority White/British/Welsh individuals
• Produce doesn't have variety
• I would like to see more culturally specific foods grown within the gardening groups
• I feel isolated from them due to my age
• I have previously engaged in local growing groups and have often felt isolated from the people running and participating in the activities as they were not very inclusive for people of colour. I have also worked in the gardening sector and have faced a lot of bias and discrimination there due to my identity as a Muslim black woman
  I did attend a group a few years ago with my kids and the facilitators were friendly but the participants felt uncomfortable to speak or approach us. I tried making an effort but they didn't engage with us
• I had some but not enough
• They have been a positive experience for myself and my children
• None
• I've been involved with groups locally in Riverside
• Very good
• None
• Because of my age there are no groups for me to go to
• I know of Grow Cardiff, but haven’t got involved myself
• Hardly any focus on environmental issues in Newport
• I have never heard about them but would love to know more about these groups and initiatives
• Not much had a few workshops became a little more aware of growing stuff
• Know of some in Ely and Grangetown but can’t get to them because of distance
• Positive Engagement with like minded people
• There is a need for more groups
• It is very multicultural
• Our family have been involved with a few groups locally and overall not enjoyed the experience in most cases and found there to be issues. Definitely a lack of diversity in terms of the participants involved. People often not mindful of how they speak to others and showing respect for all
• I feel the local green group are dominated by middle aged white women and I feel that these spaces are not inclusive for me
• A lot of community interest in our community allotment but currently limited council support for our initiative - it feels disabling rather than enabling even though we are trying to support members of our community who are unable to access food growing space opportunities to learn more about food growing
• None, I would like more information
• I would like a better reflection of the local communities
• Those who run the groups are usually older white people. I have attempted to attend a group but felt out of place there were no people of my own age or ethnicity
• I don't feel there are many groups locally
• I have tried to engage in the local growing groups but I have increasingly felt awkward as I don't seem to meet other like minded people or people from minority backgrounds like myself
• Non- existent
• Very good
• None, my family and I grow in our gardens
• I have my own allotment
• I haven't ever been to growing groups
• Really good

Community growing and inclusivity

• More outreach and community involvement in planning
• Advertising in the local area
• Setting up workshops and visiting other groups
• Provided better access to green spaces
• Get the community involved in these projects as opposed to giving the opportunities to people from outside the community. The disparity exists because the community is often excluded from benefiting from such projects
• More representation
• More age appropriate activities and social meet ups
• There is a real need for more inclusive spaces and groups to be run from within Black and Brown communities as they are simply not enough spaces where people of colour can commune and socialise, share and enjoy nature and its bounties
• More Black Asian Minority Ethnic community run and are open to all groups 
• More representation within organisations and groups. More involvement with minority ethnic communities. More awareness of different cultures among the field.
  It would be great to see more diverse groups running these local groups especially in areas where the people who live there are from diverse backgrounds.
  Inclusive engagement, with shared lived experience and knowledge. With nonjudgement, patronising approach
• More diverse groups and funding
• The Centres should be available for the local community not other community group from other areas
• Awareness
• They need to offer space for us to grow and bring people together and people with lived experiences and common languages
• More organised events
• Share more about what they do/offer
• Groups that cater to different ages groups, family in the community and young people
• Give communities the opportunities to take leadership positions and lead their participants. I feel that local authorities and other bodies underestimate and under value the skills and experience of Black, Asian and minoritised communities and individuals
• Making the community aware
• Ensure diversity among the organisers of these initiatives and make actionable effort to include the wider community and not restrict access to these spaces to a ‘specific group’ that they align with (culturally)
• More education sessions with local communities via visiting groups of young to adults and elders
• Just more of it
• Make it more diverse and understandable for all
• More information should be spread around the community
• I think spreading the word is important as well as educating people and giving free access and opportunities to local people would be a start
• Maybe more workshops
• A substantive investment by Welsh Government and local authorities in Community Based Growing initiatives and skills
• Grow veg relevant to culture
• Be Black Asian Minority Ethnic led
• Groups involved need to be interested in and listen to the views of all community members. Listen and offer what people want to see and experience in these groups. Make everyone feel welcome and equally valued
• Provide better information channels
• More representation
• More groups, more advertising and awareness of these groups
• More proactive support of community food growing initiatives and opportunities for training 
• upskilling
• Have events for all ages and backgrounds
• I think community growing could be more inclusive if it had a bigger group of people coming from a range of backgrounds doing activities
• Have more projects running. There are none in my area that I am aware of
• If groups were operating locally it would be much better
• They could be more diverse
• More awareness on what’s going on in locality
• Creation of local growing activities open to all and those with children
• Have more activities open to all age groups and ethnic backgrounds

Accessing local food

• Riverside market
• Nowhere
• I don't feel this type of food is easily accessible as I live in an area where local shops are scarce as it is and to get to the weekly markets that sell organic and fairly local produce it feels like it would be a real effort especially without a car or easily accessible transport like a good bus service. Once upon a time I was receiving a weekly organic produce box but after the lockdown this stopped being delivered by the local farmer (Monmouth) as his business expanded and as a customer I felt as if I was unable to now access the fairly local welsh grown produce due to issues with deliveries and the ability of the farmer to serve all customers perhaps due to staff shortages
• Through family growing the foods
• My garden
• Farmer market
• No
• Pontcanna allotment
• I have access to deliverable locally sourced foods and also the Riverside market, it is often overpriced and not suitable for individuals with low incomes
• Farmers market
• Growing it myself and from local markets
• My garden
• Currently growing in ours and family members gardens growing fruits, salad, tomatoes, berries
• Supermarkets, but I would prefer locally grown and sourced
• I get my food from Tesco
• Community allotment
• I have been able to go to a local greengrocer
• Family also some of our local stores stock locally grown fruit and veg
• no locally grown foods
• no local food
• no access to local food
• The farmers market

Why people aren’t accessing local food

• Cause it is cheaper to buy from Asda
• There are no local markets selling fresh locally grown produce
• Often too expensive
• No local food in my area
• A range of reasons but mainly due to the proximity of markets, the availability and accessibility of locally grown produce
• I do travel to the farmers market I can't attend all the time it would be good to have facilities in most areas
• It is expensive to buy
• There are no local groups that allowed full participation
• Price of farm shops and inaccessible
• The market is only on weekend and the rest of the time supermarkets don’t have locally grown produce
• There is nothing advertised anywhere
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of knowledge, space, money and time
• There are some farm food provisions but they are not enough 
• Lack of communication
• Hard to find
• There are no fruits and veg grown locally
• cost and lack of variety
• No
• Lack of allotments
• Not going much out so not knowing where to go to get stuff
• None nearby
• Don't have information about it
• There's nothing like that in Butetown
• Money issue
• I do not know of any local producers. Knowing who and where they are would be helpful
• Distance
• Yes. Local Markets and Farm Growers
• No one sells it in my area
• Limited access, reliant on limited space we have on our own property, as not wishing to engage with community growing projects due to bad experiences
• No facilities available in my area
• No availability
• No knowledge of where to get this food
• Local corner shops
• I just don't have any spaces in my area where people grow their own food
• Have access to it but it can be pricey
• The shops close to me don't have much fresh produce
• I only know of one that is half an hour away
• No local shops that stock local food
• None available locally at a good price

Grange Pavilion Youth Forum

The focus group was not highly structured but the questions that were posed to the participants in each area are set out below followed by the answers.

Climate Change

What are your immediate thoughts when you think of climate change? 

Greta Thunberg

Floods

Extinct species; penguins

Global warming

air pollution

Breathing spaces

Air quality

How concerned do you feel about the climate crisis?

The Youth Forum participants had differing degrees of concern about climate change. 

Answers ranged from; Extremely concerned, somewhat concerned and very concerned.

There were no participants who didn’t share some degree of worry or concern about the climate crisis.

Some offered deeper answers that although they were very concerned there was not much they felt they could do and that climate change is a concern for all citizens no matter who you are, and all voices should be considered during climate conversations.

Although I feel very concerned about the effects of climate change, I don’t know much about it, and I can't predict the effect it will have, there is lots of research, but no-one really knows the answers

Climate change is something that affects us all, my concern is that not all voices are being considered when looking at solutions for the climate crisis

 How aware do you feel about climate issues locally and globally?

The participants cited flooding in overseas countries, extreme heat and drought and melting ice caps. There was not much mention of a local climate catastrophe, but overseas examples were mainly given. There was some mention of poorer communities being affected by the climate crisis overseas and in the United Kingdom.

My understanding of climate change locally or globally is that those from poorer areas are much more affected by the changes in the climate, the youth and vulnerable individuals are also most affected.

When asked who they thought was most affected by climate change they said that they thought that it would affect all cross sections of society and it should be all of our concern.

The Youth Forum were actively involved in climate action with some members taking direct action in and around Cardiff. They were involved with different organisations such as; Climate Cymru, The Citizens climate academy, The Future Generations future leaders and other Youth Climate action initiatives

They were very supportive of climate action groups but some of them were worried about groups that took more radical direct action and felt they couldn’t be associated with such groups due to the risk of being criminalised as a young person from a minoritised background.

The focus group session with the Youth Group culminated with a visit from Dave Kilner, a Climate Cyrmu employee and local climate campaigner in Cardiff. Dave was organising the display of a climate action art piece at the Grange Pavillion using lights with members of the Youth Forum and they were very enthused at being involved in this. 

Local food

Do you have access to locally sourced or grown food?

The majority of the Grange Pavillion Youth Forum participants said they had no access to locally grown or sourced food,

What do you take into account when purchasing food?

When asked what they took into consideration when purchasing food they cited;

Nice Convenience

Cost and how easy it is to access

What I'm craving

price

local places to shop

hunger levels

Location and taste

What's already at home

If its healthy or not

How hungry I am and nutritional levels

Expiry date

When asked what they believed could make good food more accessible they said

Local grocery shops’

Having local food prepared and donated or brought for cooking at local retail outlets and hubs

Give up space for grow

Teach us how to grow

Give us the knowledge and the space to grow our own food

Green spaces

Do you have access to green spaces locally and what do you think could be done to make them better?

The Youth Forum felt they were able to access and enjoy local green spaces but to make green spaces more enjoyable and accessible that there should be wider advertisement and awareness raised around the green spaces available locally which may help in these spaces gaining a more diverse group of people visiting. Also there were some suggestions for improvements that could be made to enhance the quality of these spaces.

They said there should be:

More awareness of green spaces

somewhere to eat lunch with colleagues and friends

Places to play games such as football

Somewhere to run around

Better Play equipment

Accessible

good amount of space to spend time with friends and family

more green spaces

Well looked after green spaces

Growing and gardening

Have you attended or been involved in any local growing initiatives?

When asked whether they had attended any local growing groups the majority of the Youth Forum answered that they had not, Around 95% had never attended a growing session before. The main concern for many of the members is lack of representation when it comes to other people attending of their age group. When pressed further they expressed an interest to be involved in growing activities if they were accompanied by their friends. When asked what they think could make growing/ gardening more accessible as minoritised ethnic youth they said:

Have street growing initiatives

Have areas dedicated to growing for young people

Skills building and education

Groups that have people with mixed skills

Fun activities

Activities that they could attend with friends

Edible trees

Make Community growing more mainstream

Somewhere to spend time with friends

Countryside/coast

Have you ever been to the countryside or coast and what were your experiences?

The Youth Forum members had visited the countryside or coast, and their experiences were good overall.

There was some worry about perceptions by others when visiting these spaces but as the Youth Forum members frequented the countryside their overall experiences were positive. 

They expressed an interest in visiting countryside/coast spaces again and the main factor they cited that would hinder that would be a lack of funds. 

The one collective comment that came up from this was that groups need to receive more funds to carry out countryside or coast visits; they said.

We need more funding...

On reflection perhaps local authorities or the Welsh Government could provide some specific funds to enable diverse participation in and visiting of rural locations within the countryside and coast.

Dialogue with Eyst and Green Soul

For the focus group that Green Soul conducted with Eyst after some discussions with the organisers we decided to focus on one area of the research due to time constraints. 

We focused mainly on the climate and environment, and we posed a series of questions to the group to steer the conversations. 

The discussions that emerged from this were both rich and multi-faceted.

When you think of the climate and nature crisis, what are your immediate thoughts? What comes up for you?

I worry for the future; the future is the first thing that comes to mind

I think we need to implement a revolutionary change in terms of  our way of living in what we understand as wellbeing, the way we consume, the way we shop, and the way we live and time is running out.

Written responses from participants were:

Global warming

apocalypse

Reduced biodiversity

habitats destroyed

Carbon footprint

overuse of finite resources

When I think about climate change. I think it's like the consequence, we are living them now

Some natural disasters that have been happening and the disease, the new disease we are having to face.

The type of food we are eating, are not 100% biological.... pollutions and everything around, the waters, and the air and everything else. So, I think we are now living in the first consequences of climate change. We don’t know where this can take us.

we have to take responsibility as individuals, communities, and nations to address the climate crisis.

Do you feel that you could contribute to the fight against climate change in any way?

I am very concerned about this.  I think that there is a narrative asking us, as individuals, to stop climatic change... I think this narrative is there to hide the real problem because the real problem is not individual behaviour, but system architecture... we need to address this problem as a community with political change, political investment and addressing what is the main cause of this situation.

I agree, because usually the narrative is that the individual is responsible for the current crisis. But we don't really look at corporations and the level of greenhouse gases that they emit and their carbon footprint, and what we can do as individuals, I think, is small.

We can still do something, but its small compared to the effects that large corporations have.

I mean, I understand that it's difficult to balance the trade-offs because we still need goods and our services, but at the same time, I think it's up to the government to make sure that they introduce restrictions on other entities.

Sometimes there is not enough space or conditions for communities to organise

we need to have access to instruments to look after the planet

Every community, every neighbourhood needs to have a space and be guided on how to help protect the Environment.

I think our personal contribution can also come from our anthropogenic Activities

It's not just the governments as individuals we have responsibilities. We need to look out at ourselves as well. So its not just the corporations.

I think there is a personal responsibility, but we have to be very careful in which person, in which we put the responsibility.

I heard some years ago that non-recyclable waste was being sent overseas and that concerns me

I remember from back in the days, you know, our grandparents used to recycle and there was no Waste

It is an individual responsibility to change. But then, again, if it doesn't come from the top. It means that you are fighting in a losing battle.

If you think about businesses nowadays, and there's a lot of greenwashing, a lot of misleading information that the products they sell are environmentally friendly.

I have lived 5 years in South America, working in international charity cooperation in Bolivia and one of the things I learned, the concerns about climate and ecological concerns were already in the paramount and one of the things I learned is about my eurocentrism.

I have the idea. Okay, we are Europeans. We are the whites who are doing things who are committed in the defence of nature. And then, when I went to America, I found beautiful communities of indigenous people putting their lives in front of this struggle.

I think it's going to be a good idea within these groups that wants to fight against climatic change and change policies, to be a bit more humble and look to what is being done in other countries and support communities working in other countries

Have people ever engaged in Climate Action Groups?

Experiences of engaging with climate organisations

One of the bigger environmental groups in my previous job I was working for, supporting people from minority ethnic communities, and they wanted more people from minority ethnic communities to be interested in their cause and everybody there was from white Middle-class background.... I said, you’re not really appealing to people from minority ethnic backgrounds’.

the environmental sector is the second least diverse.

There was a climate campaigner who delivered a session for community members and even if you sat on the fence when it came to climate issues she was very upset... It made me feel like I couldn’t engage in the discussion for fear of being told off

Focus group with Green Soul and Ophelia Dos Santos (Stitching Conversations)

Green Soul met with a group of Cardiff based women who contributed to a community conversation. They collaborated with local climate activist and textile designer Ophelia Dos Santos, around explored conversations around Climate and environmentalism exploring it from a decolonised lens.

What is your understanding of the climate and nature crisis?

When asked what their understanding of the climate and nature crisis was they responded that;

The question is what does the climate and nature crisis actually mean.. The terminology used feels confusing and complicated for the ordinary person

The climate and nature crisis is a phenomenon

As Muslims care of the environment is part of our religion.. we already understand through that lens

I'm concerned about the clothes that are being shipped abroad that are being sent to countries like Africa

I feel like we are trying to offset our waste and make it another countries problem

I’m interested in sustainability and climate change, but it can be very confusing when presented with all the statistics and facts

Have you ever been involved in Climate action locally?

No I've never been involved in climate action

I have been engaged in climate action through my work

I'm a climate campaigner

I don’t think I'd feel comfortable in being involved in climate action locally

I have reached out to Climate groups, but they met in culturally inappropriate settings

What can we do to help ease the effects of climate change?

We need to look at our own consumerism.. I tend to buy an item and wear it a few time and it ends up in the bin

There needs to be an understanding of where clothing waste ends up...

we need to look at how we are programmed to engage in fast fashion

We participate in this system and we can't shame people for taking part in it

Our governments need to do something about the problems of climate change

What are the barriers to engaging in climate action?

Accessibility is a big issue

Lack of representation amongst climate groups

I feel I don’t have the knowledge to engage in climate action in a meaningful way

We don’t always have time to prioritise climate action as minority people.. We have other life concerns

People shouldn't be shamed when talking about climate action. we need to be respectful and meet people where they are

One of the barriers is that the messages on climate change are given to us in a patronising way

What can be done to alleviate these barriers to engaging in Climate action?

Minoritised communities need to be appreciated for their skills

Engage people creatively through art

consider lived experiences

Stop treating people in a patronising way

Indigenous practices need to be considered when talking about sustainably

Wales need to look at how others looked after the earth and replicate that

People from other cultures already have the skills to tackle climate action..

We cant assume that people need to be taught about how to look after the earth

Green spaces

Do you have access to green spaces locally and what do you think could be done to make them better?

I personally look for green spaces to spend time in as I need that connection with nature

The green spaces we have currently in communities are not maintained

Canal Park in the docks has lots of needles left over from drug users

Those who have the authority don’t maintain or respect our local green spaces

The park nearest me doesn’t look like the park in the neighbouring area, which is wealthier, my local park lacks beauty

There are no flowers or interesting plants in my local green spaces

I live so far from any green space that I don’t consider the nearest one local to me

The green spaces are not respected in areas where there is a bigger population of ethnic minority people

What barriers exist for you when accessing green spaces?

Knowing which local green spaces exist and if there public, if there slightly further away that would present as a barrier for me

we live in Wales and it is very green but for me transport would be an issue if I were to venture out

accessibility with transport

There are some nice spaces locally but it can be hard to get to without a car

Creating more opportunity for people to visit spaces

I like to go to the Brecon Beacons occasionally, but I wouldn’t know how to get there if I didn’t have my car

in terms of green spaces the access is not so good

Wales is such a green beautiful country but i've never had the opportunity to explore it

Countryside

What barriers exists that are affecting your ability to visit the countryside or coastal areas?

The group was asked to share some of the barriers that they felt existed when it came to visiting the countryside or coastal areas, they stated that:

Transport is a big issue for getting to the countryside and coast

Opportunities to visit these spaces should be created

The countryside access is a problem, even in my 40’s I don’t feel comfortable

I do dream of living in the country; but because I'm covered im not sure I could

Black Asian Minority Ethnic people don’t feel comfortable as we don’t know how we will be received

As minoritised people we do have to consider how we will be perceived in these settings

You may feel like a fish out of water

There is an element of taking a gamble as a minority visiting these spaces

There is a lot of prejudice in these settings

What factors influence your food choices and do you have access to local food?

The majority of people said they could not access locally grown food and when they were asked the factors that influence their food choices they cited:

lack of time

Lack of planning

Costs

I am a meat eater and I eat a lot of chicken so it’s the price for me

I would always buy lamb but now good quality, organic meat is very expensive

It depends on my ability to purchase local food.. If I’m struggling one month I tend to go to the local supermarket. If I have a little more money I end up buying at the farmers market or health food shop

I do want to be healthy but I just can't afford to be

It is all about planning for me

It will affect your health in the long if you don’t make good food choices

I feel my food choices have changed due to cost factors

vegetables are very expensive to purchase

I feel guilty as I'm the main buyer in the household and the main cook. The quality of food that we are eating is not the best

the cost of living crisis has really crippled my ability to eat nutritionally dense foods

I would love to shop in a buying group amongst friends so we can obtain good quality staples such as lentils, nuts, rice

Interview 1 

Climate change / climate action 

What is your understanding of climate change?

I think of how our behaviour is negatively impacting the environment...of recycling and sustainable living.

Feel I should make better choices

It makes me feel a bit sad that our habits are affecting nature to the degree that it is. I feel guilty and feel accountable for contributing to it by not living sustainably.

Are you involved in local climate action?

I'm not directly involved and have considered joining groups to gain information and knowledge, somewhere that I could learn sustainable practices

What are the barriers to engaging in climate action?

It feels like the organisers don't make an effort to engage and encourage the wider community

Climate change affects us all so we should all have a say

the same groups are involved in these spaces and places and its not reaching the wider community

Green spaces

Do you have access to green spaces in your area?

there are plenty of green spaces in my area so yes I do

What improvements can be made to green spaces in your area?

Maybe encouraging a wider range of people being part of organising in green spaces and also making groups aware of the diversity of individuals in our community

Information sharing with community members and education

Liaise with other community anchors to understand better the needs of the community

I feel like there are gatekeepers in the green spaces and climate change scene

Local food

Where do you usually shop?

Usually shop in supermarkets and occasionally the farmers market

Do you have access to locally grown or sourced food?

Would like to go to farmers market but can't find all I need there only the fresh produce

I eat Halal meat so can't find that there

Some of the producers also charge a lot of money so it's about affordability

I like going to buy butter and milk but it feels like it’s a luxury

The convenience of visiting supermarkets will often override any other factors

If organic fruit and veg was more accessible, I would feel more open to buying local foods.

The market also only runs weekly so once it has gone by then no chance of getting local produce

Growing own food 

Have you ever grown your own food?

I have grown my own food

In Cardiff where the majority of the respondents of this research live there is a scarcity of Black and Brown led and run community growing groups. 

The city has around 40 community growing groups, many of which subscribe to the Edible Cardiff Network, A network run by Lisa Williams of social, farms and gardens to connect community growing groups around the city of Cardiff. 

The Edible Cardiff Network runs regular events for network members. After some enquiry we found that of the 40+ groups in the Edible Cardiff Network this did not include any Black and Brown led groups, considering that there are 9.7% people who identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic in Cardiff, this seemed to be a stark reality.

What's preventing you from growing more?

access to space as I don't have a garden just a small courtyard

The knowledge on growing my own is also a barrier

Space and knowledge

The communal aspect was the thing that made it enjoyable and if there was a space where you could learn and grow together then that would be fulfilling

Growing groups?

Have tried to grow as part of a small group

Where I live is diverse but a lot of growing groups don't reflect that

Our community group tried to get access to a shared community garden at a local community centre so that people that attend the sessions could have a time and space to grow

Was difficult as it clashed with the appointed volunteer who runs the usual gardening sessions

The bed that we were offered originally presented as an issue

It felt like a struggle and then it becomes tiresome

People are using community spaces as if they are their own personal, private garden

Feelings of being micro-managed

Feels disingenuous as the community centres that run the garden have diverse staff and the area is diverse but there is a gatekeeper type of behaviour

it feels like there is a community of their own and its mainly Caucasian and middle class

People that have a certain degree of privilege

I have seen the people who run these spaces interact with people that look like them and those that look like me and it's like night and day

The treatment of people of colour is completely different

The area has relatively low-income parts with housing estates and people would appreciate it if they were allowed to grow and take produce home…they would really appreciate it.

The information that is needed to engage people isn't reaching the wider community, it seems like a closed group….people feel intimidated by the presence of diverse communities’.

What do you think could be done to improve experiences?

An external body to overlook the treatment of people in these spaces

An inclusion and diversity body that puts things in place that individuals could approach and report to’

Countryside/coast

Have you ever visited the countryside or coast?

Hasn't been to countryside or coast in Wales

Why haven’t you visited the countryside or coast?

I have felt worried and cautious about visiting rural spaces

She expressed her faith outwardly through her dress and she would be worried about visiting these areas, her concerns centre around people's attitude and their perception and views of people that don’t look like them. Their views on people with different values.

She would be willing to visit these areas if she was part of a wider group and would feel more comfortable.

Interview 2

Climate change 

What is your understanding of climate change?

It's a destruction of the environment and feels like it's affecting developing countries more…the seasons are prolonged and the weather is not regular, my country of origin is affected by the climate changing rapidly and people's livelihoods are affected especially in farming and livestock industries.

Feelings around climate change and its effects

Worried about future generations and how it will affect young people and their legacy.

I’m ready to take a stand but feel that I need to do something tangible to help people and the planet, her worries are centred around the consumption of people in western countries.

Have you ever been involved in local climate action?

I have never been involved in any climate action but would like to be.

Feels like its a certain social class that take these actions forward.

Middle/ upper class activity.

A certain political leaning that often doesn't feel aligned with my own viewpoints.

My political viewpoints cut across different political spectrums.

Views on climate action groups 

Not aligned with militant groups and wouldn't feel encouraged in vigilante style action.

I wouldn't want to be involved in groups that may be notorious groups as I would be worried, I would become targeted as a woman that is visibly Muslim and Black.

Future ambitions

As an educator I would love to pass my own knowledge of climate change and the environment on to others.

I would love to be a positive climate role model.

What do you think the barriers are?

Representation in climate groups.

Black led groups that centres concerns.

Can you enjoy the green spaces in your area?

I'm able to enjoy green spaces in my area and within the areas that she grew up which are less affluent.

I visit parks in my childhood area which are vast but are lacking biodiversity, I would welcome a wider variety of plant species.

Nice open green space but would like to see the area enriched with better planting

There are quite a few green spaces in my area

Roath Park is within my area and it has very good upkeep, it's a Victorian Park.

Enhancements

More biodiversity

Planting of trees and shrubbery

More fruit trees and bushes

Local food

Usually shop in supermarkets and try to buy organic as much as I can

I’m aiming to be more mindful with shopping locally and would like to shop at local markets, as the market only runs weekly it can be difficult to get to

Feel guilty about shopping at supermarket

I have an apple tree at home that provides an abundance of Apples

I don't really grow my own food but have previously joined a growing group that ran a short project on growing cultural foods, I'm interested in taking this forward in the future’.

I would buy more locally produced food, interested in Food co-op and buying groups. Visiting local shops a lot and would rather spend money on a more local economy and have children that consume a lot of produce.

She has hopes of juicing her own apples as she has abundance of apples from an apple tree in her back garden.

Local growing groups

Has been to a group locally quite briefly

She has found that the group only catered for one ethnicity (Mainly white British)

Has tried to reach out to these groups but didn't feel included

A certain demographic

Have tried to grow in an allotment, I found the organisers were friendly but still lacked representation at the allotment,

The timing was not right...Growing as a group would be better as the workload would have been distributed.

Countryside and coast

Haven't really gone outside Cardiff and I haven't even been on the outskirts of Cardiff

Would love to visit but I don’t have the know-how, equipment, clothing and I don't feel connected with those who have the knowledge.

Worried about  how she will be perceived in rural areas, would love to take her children to the countryside but feels intimidated

Interview 3

Climate change

Understanding of climate change

I feel worried about the changes and when I hear about natural disasters I feel and that I need to take care of the environment

I was involved in going to climate marches and went with friends I was encouraged to go by a white woman working locally in the community

I would like to join climate groups but don’t know how

There is no advertisement and the groups are not representative

Green spaces

I've recently Joined an allotment and enjoy the green space and outdoors a lot.

I have some spaces to go to but I want it to be  more green with more trees

Food growing

I have been involved in one group before but it was a project that ended

I want to grow food in my new allotment space

Where do you usually shop?

Local food

Pantry Market

Shops in the supermarket

Likes to buy organic food and also looks at the price

Countryside and beaches

She has visited the countryside and beaches

She doesn’t feel comfortable

More comfortable in groups of other women

Interview 4

Climate change 

I don’t have a great understanding on climate change

There have been rapid changes in weather and our health has been affected

Pollution is rife

I don’t take part in any climate action; I feel as if there is no opportunity to take part

Barriers

Lack of knowledge

lack of opportunity for the local community

it is essentially a white middle class issue

Green spaces

There aren't enough green spaces where I live

I really don’t enjoy these spaces

We need more park rangers to make us feel safe

There is hardly any maintenance in these spaces

We need better maintenance

There are a lot more dogs around and that can make it not very enjoyable for me

Countryside

I haven’t been to the countryside before

There is a lack of confidence from many in visiting these spaces

There is no opportunity to visit these spaces

There isn’t any reliable transport to there

It can be costly and also there is no support from anyone in authority to subsidise trips

Interview 5

Climate change

Understanding of climate change

I know about how climate change affects different communities

My knowledge of climate change is quite basic though

I think of Recycling when I think of climate change

How important Is the fight against the climate to you?

Its of mid-level importance to me as I have lots of other concerns too

Climate action

I’m not involved in any climate action at the moment

I would be willing to be involved but it all depends on whether the groups were local.

I’m not really informed about local climate meet-ups

Barriers

I don’t really have the time as I have young children...

My priorities are not the same anymore as I’m a mother

I feel as if those that have more time to invest are able to engage in climate issues

Green spaces

I do have some parks local to me

I am able to visit these spaces, but they are not always enjoyable

the green spaces that we have available locally are usually overcrowded

There should be more opportunity given to minoritised people living in deprived communities

Give people the ability to get out to other areas that have better green spaces

Gardening and growing

I am aware of local groups but these groups have a very closed culture

The gardening group local to me is not very open when do you try to engage with them

I don’t feel comfortable attending the weekly sessions because of how I’m being received

To alleviate the issues there should be an encouragement for more diverse groups of people to engage in community growing

Local food

I usually shop at the supermarket

There are several barriers for me as a black person... Lack of finances is one

I have no access to locally produced food

I know there's a weekly farmers market but I can't always get to it

Countryside

I haven’t been able to visit the countryside

It’s a lack of money

Local knowledge

Feel apprehensive

Interview 6

Climate Change

The changes in weather

The atmosphere

I would like to be involved with Climate action (Arabic Speaker; potential barrier to involvement)

Would like activities in my language’.

My English is not good’ she felt that language could be a barrier to her engagement

Green spaces

There are not many green spaces where I live

I would like more plants in green spaces

Growing

I have been involved in a local project before, but this has come to an end now

I only have a patio at home with no green space

I have grown herbs and chilli before

I would like to be involved in a growing group

Local food

I shop locally at a market

But I mainly go to the supermarket as its cheaper

Countryside

I would love to visit the countryside

I've been before but I didn’t see lots of people like me

Interview 7

Climate change

There are lots of groups taking climate action, I see people taking climate action in different ways

People are involved in growing and planting that is good for us and the environment

Minority groups would like to be involved in Climate action but we need individuals with lived experiences to guide us and run climate activities

People want to be involved in Climate action

Green spaces

There are some green spaces in my area but they are not looked after

We came together to plant in our local parks but this hasn't been maintained

Growing groups

There aren't any local growing groups in my area

There isn't a clear leadership amongst minority groups when it comes to growing

I would like an incentive to volunteer at growing groups such as time credits

people want to volunteer and look after local spaces

Wants to be involved as she loves growing

Local food

I don’t have access to locally grown food

I mainly shop at supermarkets and local grocery stories

Countryside

I haven’t  really been to rural spaces and would never go on my own

I am worried about not seeing people that look like me

I feel vulnerable

I went to a farm once and I enjoyed it

Interview 8

Climate change

I have a basic understanding of Climate Change and view climate change as the changes in weather that we are experiencing, for me images of climate change and its effects are always followed by hues of green and brown.

I have never been to climate action groups but have an interest in attending them. I am very busy with work and family commitments; I have never been given the opportunity to be involved in groups but would love to get involved.

Green spaces

There are some parks in my area and some smaller green spaces locally.

I would welcome cleaner, more looked after and more child friendly green spaces’. 

There are a few green spaces locally but I would like to see these improved upon.

Local food

I don’t have any access to locally grown food I mainly shop at supermarkets for my essential produce. I have a number of dietary requirements and also have to keep in mind the requirements of catering for a larger family.

Growing

I have grown some produce at home with my husband and have a small garden. I use pots to grow produce and I use the little space I have to grow some vegetables.

I haven't attended any growing groups and would be keen to attend if  these groups were local.

Countryside

I haven’t visited the countryside in wider Wales before but have taken some trips as a family to the Vale of Glamorgan, mainly Llantwit Major and Sully, which I found very relaxing and calming. I would like to visit the countryside more if get the chance, but my visits would need to fit around caring responsibilities. I provide care to a disabled child.

Anti-racist: anti-racism is an active commitment to working against racial injustice and discrimination. It’s making conscious and thoughtful decisions regarding your own behaviours and how they negatively influence and impact your own biases and actions.

Minoritise: to make (a person or group) subordinate in status to a more dominant group or its members.

Racialised: the term ‘racialised’ is a sociological concept closely related to racism. People seen as belonging to racialised minorities are people who could be perceived as being socially different from, for example, the racial or ethnic majority.

People of colour: this is a term used to describe any ethnicity aside from the white ethnicity, this terms is mainly used in the United States but is slowly being adopted in the United Kingdom

Decolonisation: the action or process of a state withdrawing from a former colony, leaving it independent. The process of freeing an institution, sphere of activity, etc. from the cultural or social effects of colonisation.

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