Henley's Pledges for the Planet
Changing what’s normal in Henley and beyond
Lots of people and organisations in and around Henley are already making small changes for a better future – at home, at work, at school, and in their everyday lives. Our Pledge for the Planet initiative is a simple way to make those actions count: a visible commitment to go further, and a way to inspire others by showing them what’s possible. When you take a pledge you’re not doing it alone, you’re joining something that’s already happening – a growing movement of collective action for climate and nature.
> Take a Pledge for the Planet!
“…the actions of just one of us may seem to be trivial and to have no effect. But the knowledge that there are thousands of, hundreds of thousands of people who are doing the same thing – that really does have an effect.”
Sir David Attenborough
So who’s been pledging in Henley?
Take a look at some of the pledges local people and organisations have recently taken. Find out why they chose their pledge and what it means to them.
Ditch The Chemicals
Melody, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School pupil
Melody has taken the Ditch The Chemicals pledge.
“Stopping the chemicals is important to me because the animals in the river and sea deserve to live as much as we do. It’s easy for us all to change what we use for washing and cleaning – we’ve just got to do it.
“I’m on my school council and will talk to the teachers about what we use and if it’s good for the river. Same thing at home – my parents already try quite hard but maybe not hard enough.
“It makes me feel like a better person. I think I can make things different.”
Join Melody – take the * Ditch The Chemicals pledge
* Currently this pledge is called ‘Use Eco-Friendly Products’ and you can take the pledge here. The name will be changing to ‘Ditch The Chemicals’ on 20th May when we launch our new website & new Pledge platform.
When enough people in a community take small, simple steps – making space for nature, cycling short journeys, using less pesticides – those choices stop being unusual and start being just what we do here.
Eat Plant-Rich!
Rose & Adam Lubbock, ADVHQ Gym
Owners of local Henley gym ADVHQ, Rose and Adam Lubbock, have adopted the “Eat Plant Rich” pledge and have successfully promoted this to the gym’s 250 members. They’ve shared ‘Meat-Free Monday’ recipes, and have had a great response from their membership, stoking conversations around plant-based food, strength training & health.
Pause On Plastic
Emma Taylor, Henley Resident
“I am pledging to avoid buying groceries which come in plastic packaging where a viable alternative exists, especially fruit and vegetables. I chose this because although I’ve switched from plastic for many products such as toilet roll, toothpaste, and laundry soap, I still use a lot of soft plastic on fresh produce which cannot easily be recycled. I want to help protect our planet and consume products which come in either no packaging or sustainable packaging.
“Doing what I can to help the environment feels good – I know I can’t do everything but every little step I take feels positive. I would rather do something, no matter how small, than nothing.”
Every pledge you make is a visible signal to your neighbours that this kind of life is possible, desirable, and already happening. Together, those signals add up to something powerful: a community that speaks with one voice about the kind of place it wants to be.
Connect With Nature
Liz Ware, garden writer and Henley resident
I pledge that whenever I’m walking in the beautiful countryside around Henley, I will make time to pause and be still – allowing myself to feel that I’m part of Nature, rather than a mere passerby. I pledge to carry a bag with me to collect any rubbish I see, remembering that as we’re part of Nature, whatever we do to or for it, we also do to or for ourselves.
Spread The Word
Henley Literary Festival
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