Greenhouse Pioneer
Ric Casale, Carbon Copy

We want to share the story of local climate action champion Ric Casale, founder of Carbon Copy and author of Civic Revolution: A Citizens Guide

Carbon Copy is a new “solutions hub” that brings local communities, councils and companies together to accelerate climate action, helping the UK reach net zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible. Aimed at inspiring a collaborative approach to climate action, successful local initiatives can be showcased, discussed and “carbon copied” by other communities.

We caught up with Ric to learn more about this solutions hub, what inspires him and his passion for civic-led climate action.

1. Tell us about Carbon Copy – what’s your mission? 

Accelerating a carbon zero future through collective local action.

2. What do you want to achieve?

Carbon Copy is a solutions hub that is building on the momentum created by nearly 270 local councils and countless more community groups across the UK that have already declared a climate emergency.

We want to showcase the low-carbon initiatives they are working on, so more people will engage in more projects and spark more collaboration within and across local areas. At the same time, we want to level the playing field by giving everyone access to ideas from the frontrunners.

Carbon Copy is a catalyst: we support those who are taking local climate action in moving together faster. The more interesting question to ask is not what we want to achieve with Carbon Copy, but what those people want to achieve.

3. What drives you?

I think the Greta Thunberg quote sums up my drive perfectly:

“When we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action.”

Action is what makes our hopes a reality and climate action is what will deliver the ultimate goal of a net zero carbon future.

4. What are the challenges you face?  

The coronavirus has tested the entire world in ways that we have never seen before. We need to emerge from this crisis with a fresh sense of purpose. We have an incredible opportunity to do things differently and rebuild our economy for the good of humanity. We should address both the economic and climate crises at once because they are inseparable. The challenge is to see it this way.

Carbon Copy is a community hub for scalable green solutions to the climate crisis.

5. What are you working on that’s getting you fired up and excited?  

Transformation requires leadership at every level of society. I see so many great examples of people working collectively to reinvent the places where they live and in doing so create a more sustainable future for everyone. The sheer number and diversity of these solutions is inspiring and I am excited to see where these green leaders will take us.

6. If everyone were to do one thing to reduce their own carbon emissions and live more sustainably, what should it be?

We should become involved in a community group or lead a transformative change in our workplace. Individual lifestyle changes are important, but they simply cannot scale to impact climate change. To make a bigger impact we need to take things to the next level and work collaboratively towards a common goal.

7. Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers?  

Long Walk To Freedom, by Nelson Mandela.

8. How is what you are doing inspiring change in others? 

A more sustainable future is already a reality for some. We want to engage and inspire more people to work collaboratively to achieve the sustainable future for all that we know is possible.

Carbon Copy aims to catalyse net zero by inspiring community led climate initiatives.

9. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given ?

Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn’t matter.

10. Have you developed any interesting lockdown hobbies?

I’m learning sign language.

11. Finally, who is your eco-hero? 

David Attenborough, of course.

We are honoured to be working with Ric to launch Carbon Copy with a six part virtual series about UK local climate action, aimed at inspiring and galvanising communities to act now and accelerate a net zero carbon future. You can see the full list of virtual events here.

If you are interested in Carbon Copy, sign up to the initiative via the website and stay up to date by following on Twitter and Instagram.

The first event in the virtual series in on 17th June and will focus on how we can ‘Build Back Better’ in the aftermath of COVID-19. You can sign up and participate in this event here.

Greenhouse PR works with organisations and leaders who are pioneering climate action. Whether it’s food, fashion, finance or farming, if you’ve got a great story and need our help to tell it, get in touch with the Greenhouse team on 0117 214 1250 or email info@greenhousepr.co.uk.