For Earth Day, we wanted to shine a light on the people working hard to make a difference for our planet. So, we caught up with Alex from Project Demeter—a local initiative dedicated to inspiring change and providing resources to help individuals take meaningful action against climate change.
We chatted about what inspired him to start the project, the exciting future of sustainability, and the small changes that can have a big impact.
Hi Alex, always lovely to see you! Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Project Demeter?
I’m Alex, a pretty normal person who lives in Sutton Coldfield and worries about climate change and the impacts it will have on our kids and future generations. I remember thinking about what I could do to try and make a difference and realised how useful it would be to have a resource that encouraged and informed gently about what anyone might be able to do to play their part in the fight against climate change.
We all definitely have that worry, it’s so great you decided to use your initiative and start Project Demeter! What are you most proud of so far?
It is a long journey and I am proud of the start that we have made but there is always so much more to do – so watch this space!
We will be watching this space! So, Earth Day is all about making small changes for the planet. Is there a simple change you’ve made personally that’s had a big impact?
I know that switching from my diesel car to an electric car has made a difference to air quality around here, but even more importantly is reducing how much I use the car and trying to use trains and buses as much as possible, as well as walking and cycling of course!
We’ve recently made the change to an electric car too and making sure we walk into the office when we can. It all adds up! What do you see as the most exciting trends in sustainability over the next few years?
There is so much, I am not scared of tech and the possibilities that tools like AI can provide to help us better understand and model climate change effects and how we could reduce them. I think the ever-increasing clean technologies that can help us get rid of fossil fuels are extremely exciting as it feels like that progress is finally unstoppable.
That’s a very positive mindset. If there is one thing you would ask people to do for the planet in 2025, what would it be?
Believe that your choices can make a real difference – you may feel like a very small part of a massive global problem, but we have so much more power than we realise – use it!
I agree, everyone needs to play their part. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to start a sustainability-focused project?
Don’t be afraid of the scale of the problem and don’t feed the trolls!
That’s some good advice! What’s something you’re excited about for the future of Project Demeter?
We have got plans to really develop the site as a hub for information and support to help inspire change. Longer-term, there are even more exciting plans to help create tangible tools for inspiring people…
Very exciting… For those looking to get involved with Project Demeter, what’s the best way to start?
All support will be very gratefully received! Read the Manifesto and see what changes you could make to make a difference, and if you can help us to help others, then you can start making a massive difference!
There’s lots of great quotes and information on your website,but I do love the Robert Swan quote;
Thanks so much for your time, Alex. Just before we finish, can we ask you our quick-fire questions?
Go for it!
- Chocolate or Crisps?– Chocolate
- Wine or Beer?– Wine
- Walking or cycling?– Walking
- Dogs or Cats?–
- Cats cats and more cats please
- Tea or Coffee? – Coffee
- Summer or Winter?– Summer
- Red sauce or Brown?– Yuk to both!!!!
- Emailer or brochure?– Got to be email of course…
- Driving holidays or flying?– Come on, take the train!!!
- Active holidays or beach holidays? – Active, please, in or on water ideally
- Cosy nights in or wild nights out?– Still a wild child 😉
- City or Countryside?–Oh, you’ve got me here, I’m from London originally and very much a city dweller, but I could probably quite happily become a hermit in the middle of nowhere… can I say both? Go on then!
- Passenger or Driver?– Train passenger thank you!
- Soaps or Box sets?–Netflix binges are not uncommon in our household, I like a good documentary more than anything though!
Thank you, Alex! People can download your amazing manifesto on your website, and you also have some brilliant blog posts and some fantastic merchandise for gifts (or yourself!) too.
It’s really great what you doing, Alex, and we’re so proud to be able to support you and be part of what you are doing.
If you’d like to find out more – visit the Project Demeter website here.
