Global Generation, Kings Cross, London

From the ground, the sprawling, congested streets of Kings Cross in London would not usually be considered a hotbed of environmentalism. But a glance skyward in the right place reveals an emerging green oasis in the form of rooftop allotments and gardens.

Who’s involved…
For the past two years, the charity Global Generation has been bringing young people from the local area together to involve them in developing “living roofs” where they can learn first hand about the importance of the environment.

It hasn’t been easy to get businesses to commit, particularly given the financial climate, but so far Global Generation has recruited five who have donated their rooftops, securing more than 1,200 sq ft for the project, and there are currently three more business rooftops in the pipeline.

Before being let loose along the rooftops, the young volunteers, who include children of a range of faith groups, refugees, ex offenders and those excluded from school, leave the bustle of London life behind to spend time in the rural, tranquil setting of Pertwood organic farm in Wiltshire.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Living a greener more eco-friendly life
There, they come face to face with nature and learn about the principles of organic farming and how to live a greener, more eco-friendly life. These lessons are brought back to the urban project. For example, once roofs or other appropriate spaces are ready, food waste from local restaurants, schools and offices is composted and reused on the allotments.

After further training, part funded through grants and income from the businesses they work with, volunteers are able to put into practice what they have learned on the farm, turning the rooftops into havens for local wildlife as well as planting herbs and vegetables that in turn, can be sold to local restaurants.

The bigger picture
Global Generation works with a number of environmental specialists such as livingroofs.org, Water Works UK, Global Action Plan and Aardvark Recycling, all of whom share their expertise and skills in a vocational context. These experts help carry out environmental audits of the buildings handed over to the scheme.

Then, with additional volunteers, the youngsters themselves develop and install green features to reduce CO2. These could include bio-diverse green roofs and walls, water conservation systems, waste and renewable energy systems and rooftop allotments.

Global Generation also recruits 10 youth generators, aged between 15 and 18, each year. These ambassadors provide the front line for the charity and their work includes carrying out eco audits at business premises, hosting events and mentoring younger children.

Over the next 12 months, Global Generation will monitor the CO2 reduction, waste reduction and energy efficiency measures undertaken by the businesses and community organisations with which it works. It will also work with two schools to develop and manage allotments, as well as setting up similar projects in the Canary Wharf and Southbank areas of the capital.

The team has big ambitions, aiming to create a replicable template so that other groups can make the same thing happen across the globe.

• Accessibility
• Terms and Conditions
• RSS
• Contact Us