"Rather than talk the talk, I'd like to see politicians walk the walk"
Essex environment group calls for leaders to act decisively at COP26.
Environmental groups in Essex wants to see leaders follow through on promises made at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, which officially gets underway today.
Leaders are expected to make big commitments over the next fortnight, but Sam Pitman, from Eco Essex believes they must also work to achieve the promises they've made in years prior.
Eco Essex is a group that supports local families and businesses make eco-friendly and sustainable choices. It was started as a Facebook group by Hannah Dalton and Sam Pitman to share tips on how to become green.
Ms Pitman, from Rochford, says she would like to see politicians take climate change more seriously: "If they can just follow through with the actions they promised to take six years ago in Paris that would be a start.
"For me, it would be great if these leaders come together, agree on the action needed and follow through with them."
While international conferences are important, Ms Pitman believes that people must also take steps in their own lives that can benefit the environment.
"Businesses and Government may not be doing as much as they should. But we, as citizens, must also take responsibility ourselves as well and understand that it is a really big team approach that is needed to combat climate change."
When asked about the various ways she convinced people to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly choices, she says: "It's really trying to get people to want to engage with the conversation. The root into this discussion is trying to find an aspect people can relate to.
"If you talk to someone who is a meat lover about becoming vegan, they'll become defensive straight away. But if you're convincing someone who doesn't say have a lot of money, I might talk to them about the fact that you can save money by being sustainable."
She explains that it is important to adapt conversations this way so that people can be engaged in these conversations, by explaining to them the benefits of making these decisions.