About us

We are a friendly, informal group of people living in the East Linton area who care deeply about the climate and biodiversity crises. We are all learning as we go and facing the crises together. We used to be called East Linton Melting Pot but are now called Climate Action East Linton for better clarity.

We have a small steering group, specific projects under way, and sub-groups working on particular themes.

Anyone is welcome to join and get involved as much or little as they want. New members of the steering group are also always welcome.

Climate Action East Linton is an affiliated member of Sustaining Dunbar. This enables us to learn from each other, work together where it makes sense and share resources. If you would like to join Climate Action East Linton we would also encourage you to become a member of Sustaining Dunbar to be aware of all the events, activities and resources that are available locally.

Why are we doing this?

When the IPCC reports on the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis came out in 2018 giving the world a 12 year deadline to cut CO2 emissions by 45% it hit a number of residents hard, worrying about the future of this planet.

We first met as a group of 10 people sitting round a kitchen table, and then evolving to regular monthly meet ups at the pub to discuss different themes and share ideas. It really helps to connect with people and share concerns, worries, hopes as well as practical tips and ideas.

From what we have experienced, it is less lonely looking at the climate crisis when we share and work together. We feel less powerless when we know we are doing something positive, however small.

However, we didn’t want to just be a talking shop, so after a community survey to find out what really matters to people, a number of sub-groups set up as well as finding funding for the Fixing for the Future project.

Faces and stories from some of our members

Featured

Helen Felton

We are East Linton Primary School . We have wonderful pupils aged from 3 to 12 years old and a dedicated staff team. We sing about “Going Green” and are committed to looking after our environment and caring for the world in which we live and will live in when we are older.

Janette Edmonds

Julia Edmonds

I am an Acupuncture Practitioner and have lived and worked in East Linton for the last ten years. Over the last two years I have been co-chair of East Linton Community Hall with my partner. I see the Community Hall as an integral part of a sustainable community and I am keen to see the Hall also develop as an energy efficient and environmentally friendly space. I believe that local action and community involvement can have a huge impact on our lives, it is something that we can all get involved in to make a difference.

Jo Gibb

I’m a mum of two young children, and a past life working in international development and fairtrade. In recent years I’ve become increasingly aware that all is not quite right in this beautiful world of ours, and since having children feel even more compelled to do something about it. I’ve been involved in helping set up Climate Action East Linton.

David Scott

I had heard about CAEL through someone in the village. After many years of being concerned about climate change and the environment I thought “I can't always leave it to other people to try and bring about positive change”. So I spoke to Jo Huband and started attending meetings. The meetings are a great way of not feeling alone and meeting some like minded people who are enthusiastic about trying to make good things happen. Where I can I try to make positive changes in my daily life.

Joan Bell

I’m a retired infection control nurse and a grandparent. From my childhood to current times, the environment and individual perceptions have really changed to the detriment of both wild life, and our local way of living. I care about the future for the next generation and actively engage in The Shed and Ground Force Team in East Linton to promote an understanding of how gardening and construction or repairs to items brings into focus what well being really means. This all contributes to a better Climate for all.

Gill Robertson

I am Gill Robertson, East Linton local and children’s theatre maker. I have lived in the village for over 10 years and love where I live. For me the environment is the most important thing and I am trying as best as I can to limit my carbon footprint on the planet!

Danny Wight

I’ve been involved in the green movement since my teens (over 40 years ago), and a member of the Scottish Green Party since 1998. After many years searching for a small area of land for an orchard I moved to Tyninghame with my wife Erica in 2014. I was delighted to learn about CAEL and to meet such a lovely, motivated bunch of people so nearby. I split my time between social science research in public health at Glasgow University (3 days a week), managing an organic small holding, and community/green activities/politics.

Rosie Harrison

I got involved with CAEL after moving out from Edinburgh and wanting to do something climate-related locally. East Linton has a very strong sense of community and in these unprecedented times it seems more important than ever to work together to encourage resilience to deal with the inevitable future challenges of climate change. It's great to be part of a group of like-minded people and to feel part of a team, working together to build something better.

East Linton Primary School

Sarah Waite

The East Linton Melting Pot is a group of enthusiastic and wonderful humans who have become part of our lives in a very organic way. My involvement has been one of linking people in the community with the ‘Melting pot’. Our family life has been influenced by this group with learning more about how we can have less of an impact on Earth’s resources; learning new skills and saving money by making our own cleaning products but also learning about ourselves and how our daily lives can have such an influence on our environment.

Brian McClelland

I have children and grandchildren. I know that my duty is to do whatever I can in the hope that they may have a chance of living their lives a decent world. I have worked in medicine all my life. I am alarmed and angry about the speed of environmental destruction and global heating. I have absolutely no doubt that human damage to our planet is now by far the greatest risk to health and survival.

Lucy Aykroyd

Hello ! It’s Lucy here from Tyninghame. I have lived here for almost three years. The shoreline is my everyday ‘go to’ spot in sadness and in joy - it’s where I come alive. I cannot believe how lucky I am to be so close to such a magical place. Together we can effect positive change; honour the beauty of a simple life and make the world a better place. That is what I am committed to.

Gill Gardner

Hi, I am Mrs Gill Gardner and I am Head Teacher at East Linton Primary. Outside of school, I love to read, explore beautiful East Lothian and I am a massive football fan! I am a wife and a mum and I am committed at home and work to educating those I meet to lead a more sustainable life. I am delighted that our school is part of this wonderful community initiative.

Tim Hetherington

I'm a stepdad, husband & structural engineer. I like rock climbing, photography, music and cycling. I started getting concerned about the climate crisis in 2017 and I’ve been getting more and more worried ever since. Eventually it made me quite depressed. Now I am doing something about it with a group of new friends I feel a lot better. It’s great to be part of a supportive group like this and I feel less helpless now.

Click “Share your story” to send us your photo and tell us why you care about climate change and the biosphere crisis.

Further information

For details about our values as an organisation, our mission statement and our legal constitution, follow the links.

If you’ve got any further queries, drop us a line: info@cael.community