Digital radio station Passion for the Planet recently became an official broadcasting platform for the flagship programme ñ London Leaders ñ set up by the London Sustainable Development Commission.

Launched in 2007, the Leaders’ project is a pioneering scheme to catalyse the change needed to transform London into a sustainable city. It aims to empower citizens and to prove that by providing communities with powerful leadership, confidence, skills and support, a positive future can be achieved.

In the coming months, Passion for the Planet will broadcast a series of 5-minute interviews with past and present London Leaders, each drawn from a broad cross-section of society. This will allow them to showcase all their ideas and whet the appetites of the 120,000 listeners who tune in each week.

Chantal Cooke, co-founder of Passion for the Planet and a 2009 London Leader, became involved with the project be-cause its approach gives sustainability a human face. ‘Using Passion for the Planet for this programme has two benefits,’ explains Chantal. ‘Firstly, it will inspire action to change behaviour. Secondly, it demonstrates that London is really doing something great to approach this issue of sustainability. Although the city has Victorian waterways and small roads, it doesn’t mean this should hold us back. It would be great to inspire other cities, such as Manchester and Birmingham.’

Last year’s programmes have been a real success, with a range of projects, from retrofitting green roofs, publishing a community cookbook, working with London Television to promote energy efficiency and training young refugee leaders in environmental issues.

Contact: www​.passionfortheplanet​.com
www​.londonsdc​.org/​l​o​n​d​o​n​l​e​a​d​ers

Chantal Cooke, Co-founder of Passion for the Planet and London Leader
Photo: © Passion for the Planet