With global headlines this week shaped by flailing, ego-led idiocy of the highest order, down here at local level, we might be excused for feeling a little powerless in the face of it all.

But perhaps our discomfort in observing the once great USA debase itself so completely, while making life measurably worse for almost everybody, signals a moment for swinging into action, no matter how insignificant that might initially feel.

Despite the anti-human imperatives of Late-Stage Capitalism, there’s always been a parallel green and pleasant underground movement working diligently, idealistically and vitally towards a pro-climate, pro-social agenda.

In Camden, the volunteer organisation Think&Do has been running these types of local initiatives for many years, so what better time to turn our attention away from Trumpian petro-war doom and look towards areas where all of us really can exert some power?

The organisation’s co-founder and ‘avid’ weekly Camdenist reader, Debbie Bourne, reached out this week with some proactive inspiration…

At Think&Do we are all about turning some major ‘what ifs?’ into, ‘hell yeahs!’

What if… we reimagined waste as opportunity, and more of the things we no longer need could find a new home, instead of ending up in landfill or incinerated?

What if… we could have everything we need to be strong, connected and self-sufficient - by sharing things we already own?

What if… our homes and estates across Camden became mini power stations with rooftop solar and solar balconies, helping us become energy secure?

What if… we could easily save £400pa on our energy bills without any government or energy company BS?

What if… Camden became one big pollinator pathway and radical leader in ecological justice?

What if… climate action wasn’t just feeling ‘what’s-the-point-with-Trump-in-power’, but becomes a no-brainer, woven into our daily lives?

Think&Do is a not-for-profit Camden-based organisation run by an enthusiastic bunch of locals. We’re on a mission to build a fairer, greener Camden with projects which make positive, sustainable long-term change. Put simply, it’s climate and social justice in action – and it’s good fun.

We believe that if we wait for governments, it will be too late. If we do it by ourselves, it will be too little. But if we join together as one big, connected community, it might just be enough, and in enough time. We urge you to join in the fun, since it’s all such uplifting, positive stuff.

So, back to the ‘what ifs’, and also, ‘what has this got to do with me’? Well, we have some events coming up that should answer both questions.

In terms of reimagining waste and sharing, how about a bit of retail therapy that doesn’t cost the planet? Join us on Sat 18th Apr, 10am-2pm, at the Hampstead Heath Education Centre (right by Parliament Hill Lido) for our next big street swap. These events see all kinds of goodies from guitars to printers, clothes to kitsch china plates all ready to be swapped. What’s more, if you’re then inspired to host a street swap where you live, we’ll not only show you how to do it, but we’ll give the most convincing plan a £200 budget to get cracking.

Want to discuss ideas about circularity and sharing in general? Join us at the Primrose Hill Community Association (PHCA) on Thurs 23rd Apr for an In The Loop People’s Assembly where we’re going to expand the conversation.

On Sat 25th, back at PHCA, we’re co-hosting a general electronic repair event and a ‘Mining Your Mobile’ workshop with our friends from the Queen’s Crescent-based Fixing Factory. Come along to get any electronic item repaired and also to learn about the precious minerals inside your mobile phone and the climate justice issues related with mineral extraction. Sounds a bit heavy, but it’s all positive, important stuff. E-waste is a big fat downer with over 2 million items generated in the UK each year, but we all have to power to reduce that with our actions.

In terms of Ecological justice, we are big into helping Camden residents on estates plant pop-up wildflower meadows and pick-your-own fruit patches, and are hoping that our ‘Communitree’ project, in partnership with the amazing KOKO Foundation, re-emerges after its Glasto-like fallow break, for a fifth year.

We’re helping residents set up Sharing Spaces across Camden estates, where neighbours can meet, build connections, and collectively work towards a more resilient future; we’re working on a solar balcony pilot project, training up new Power Rangers. There’s masses going on.

I hope that, wherever in the Borough or beyond that you are reading this, you stop to look around and that an idea pops into your head for a project that you and your besties might do. Whether it’s about food, energy, sharing, greening, skilling-up, artivism, or whatever. It’s really that simple. Just get Thinking & Doing, and we’re always here to help with advice. We’re also always looking for volunteers to help us run our own projects.

Now really is the time for exploring ‘what if…?’, so do get in touch: [email protected]

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FOOD: 🍹Soft-opening next Thurs 16th Apr with four days of 50% off your food bill, Rum Kitchen is the new addition to the longstanding Cottons Caribbean dining empire, born and bred in Camden Town. Promising beach shack-style food, bountiful rum cocktails, plus rhythm and late-night energy on Inverness St, just in time for a tropically scorching London summer, right?

STAGE: 🎭 The new Hampstead Theatre production of Michal Frayn’s multi award-winning WWII play Copenhagen is essentially sold out for the entire run until 2nd May, however we’ve spotted very limited availability for this Sat 11th Apr matinee performance, if you’re quick about it…

EXHIBITION: 🔊 As part of the current Roundhouse Three Sixty Festival, the iconic Chalk Farm music venue is hosting free exhibition From Soundboy to Streaming: Collective and Individual Joy where groups of local young people, in association with the (soon to be nearby) Museum of Youth Culture, explore the changing face of London’s music culture, and why it remains such an important force. Runs 11th - 25th Apr.

MUSIC: 🎤 Euphoric live rave singing collective House Gospel Choir are onto week 2 of their Jazz Cafe residency, belting out the vocal-driven Afro and Soulful house classics tonight, Fri 10th Apr.

FILM: 🎞️ Cute new Chalk Farm bookshop and café, Fable & Falcon, have their first movie screening event tonight, Fri 10th Apr, with a Y2K-themed showing of 10 Things I Hate About You with a slice of Ria’s pizza and your first drink included.

ART: 🖼️ Camden Arts Centre has just opened London’s first comprehensive survey of Guyanese-British ceramicist, painter and sculptor Donald Locke. Resistant Forms includes over 80 works from this Windrush Generation artist who played a pivotal if under-recognised role in 20th century British sculpture. Runs to 30th Aug.

MUSIC: 🎤 Indie rock and alternative energy in the vein of Sam Fender, Arctic Monkeys and Catfish and the Bottlemen, singer-songwriter Luke Chappell brings his UK tour to Camden for a headline show at The Dublin Castle on Wed 15th Apr.