Henley Literary Festival

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A fabulous Saturday afternoon spent with Henley Literary Festival in collaboration with A Greener Henley, talking about the climate crisis on 4 October at 4 pm. We had about 150 people in the room.

I was sitting on the yellow sofa alongside the brilliant Tony Juniper, CBE, British campaigner, writer, sustainability adviser, and environmentalist. Tony is currently Chair of Natural England, and hearing Tony was a treat whose warmth, wisdom, and deep understanding of our natural world truly inspired me.

 

This conversation wouldn’t have flowed or been possible without the insights and thoughtful questions from Mike Barry, former head of sustainability at Marks and Spencer. Mike focused on our books. Mine, What Will Your Legacy Be? and Tony’s, Just Earth.

People often ask, ‘What can I do about the climate crisis?’ The truth is, it starts with talking about it. Conversations like this one matter; it’s where change begins.

Science at the Heart of the Vatican’s Pan-European Climate Summit

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The Vatican Pan-European Climate Resilience Summit, held from 28 to 29 August in Vienna, brought together mayors, youth leaders, scientists, innovators, and policymakers to tackle Europe’s most urgent climate threats. It was hosted by the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences with European partners; the summit spotlighted solutions in mitigation, adaptation, and societal transformation. Outcomes from Vienna will feed directly into the 2026 Vatican Global Summit, shaping a Universal Protocol for Climate Resilience to protect people and ecosystems across generations.

This was a Summit of hope, and one of the key participants was Ingmar Rentzhog, Founder and CEO of the global, pro-planet platform We Don’t Have Time. One of the things We Don’t Have Time did was to create a special video, which discusses the importance of facing the reality of the climate crisis and not denying scientific facts. This short film emphasises the need for people to speak up and take action, as the majority of the global population wants to address the issue.

Importantly, this film highlights the Vatican and the Pontifical Academy, which are working together to bring people from different backgrounds together to raise awareness and make a change. The video also mentions the inclusivity of the event and the importance of making science a priority.𝅺

And a highlight for me is that my book, What Will Your Legacy Be? – Conversations With Global Change-Makers About The Climate Crisis, has a walk-on part in the film. Can you spot it?

 

London Climate Action Week 2025 – #Make Science Great Again

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London Climate Action Week 2025 took place this June from 21 to 29, and it was action-packed. An annual event that aims to mobilise climate action in London and beyond, bringing together organisations, communities, and individuals to address climate change.

The week featured a wide range of events, including conferences, workshops, and collaborative discussions, focusing on practical solutions and showcasing London’s role as a global climate leader. I was pleased to be invited to the We Don’t Have Time Live Broadcast, which was a session focused on Making Science Great Again. It was a great panel lineup that included the eminent climate scientist Sir David King; Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & Founder, Hip Hop Caucus; Ingmar Rentzhog, CEO and Co-Founder of the We Don’t Have Time platform; and me!

Make Science Great Again is a campaign focused on defending science, amplifying its voice, and reeducating policymakers. It aims to counter disinformation, support scientists, and ensure science plays a vital role in addressing global challenges like climate change. The campaign emphasizes the importance of dialogue and collaboration to achieve these goals.

OmTalks: Legacy And The Wild with Sangeeta Waldron & Melvyn Carlile

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On 17 June, I will be in conversation with the very brilliant Melvyn Carlile.

Mel is a visionary founder and the pioneering force behind the Mind Body, Spirit Festival, London. His work has helped to shape the modern holistic movement.

I could not be more excited about this event for many personal reasons. As a young girl of about 7, I used to be my mum’s plus one to the Mind Body Spirit Festival in London, held those days at Olympia. Never did I imagine that one day, I would be in conversation with the founder of this Festival about my book.

Life has just given me lemonade!

Tickets are only £4.50 and to book, click here

Indian Bestseller Nectar on the Seven Hills by Local Based Author Prabhu Ram to Be Published in the UK

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Delighted to be working on this Indian bestseller, Nectar on the Seven Hills, by London-based author Prabhu Ram, To Be Published in the UK. Nectar on the Seven Hills has been compared to Harry Potter.

The Stakes Are High – Why We Need To Invest In Local Media & Journalism

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The stakes are high. The future of news reporting will not only shape our communities and conversations but also influence the very fabric of our democracies. The stories we tell, and the collaborations we forge during challenging times, will be key. At the heart of this is the next generation—how we can support them in better understanding where the world is headed and how they can make a difference. This is why my work with LocalMotion Enfield, a grassroots movement dedicated to empowering communities across our borough, is so crucial.
LocalMotion Enfield operates in a variety of ways, including a media partnership with our local newspaper, The Enfield Dispatch. This collaboration raises awareness of local projects, issues, and community initiatives.
But it doesn’t stop there. Our work is forward-thinking and dynamic, giving young voices a platform and nurturing the next generation of journalists. By doing so, we’re helping combat misinformation and ensuring that these future storytellers are equipped to share the truth.

Apologies…

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Apologies the last few months have run away with me and with good reason. I completed the manuscript for the third book I was writing…a book that took me over a year and a half to write. What Will YOUR Legacy Be? – Conversations With Global Game Changers About The Climate Crisis will be out on 30 January 2025. I then returned from Milan in November, where the pro planet film I was representing at FICTS, which is an event for film television and sports – won an award!  FICTS is closely associated with the Olympics. The film project I was part of, cleverly tied water sports with marine conservation, where we combined the power of storytelling with sustainability and sport.

As soon as I was back from Milan, a couple of days later Serendipity PR was at the Business Show, where we also hosted a lunchtime session speaking about why the business community needs to be thinking about its sustainability initiatives. It was busy at the Show and there was a definite buzz. Companies want to do the right thing and be authentically sustainable. There is a real drive to do better.

I have also been working on an initiative looking at the relevance and importance of local newspapers, media, and journalism with City Hall. This is a really interesting project, because those who know me, will know that I believe in the importance of local newspapers, which I regard as the backbone of communities, providing independent information about what is going on in local areas. Sadly, with the advent of social media, we have seen a decline in local newspapers in the UK, even the London Evening Standard now only has an online presence where much of the news is curated by artificial intelligence. There are very few local newspapers with a real editor left, who reports on the ground. I believe we need to recognise local journalism as an important part of community life and invest in this mechanism of information, which counteracts misinformation and disinformation. This will be ongoing work.

As I furiously type to get this posted in time for Christmas, let me say this…2024 has been a year of lots of opportunities, where a variety of seeds have been sown for 2025…where next year will be a flourishing garden of interesting initiatives, announcements, and celebrations. Stay tuned and Merry Christmas!

 

 

Announcing New Book, What Will YOUR Legacy Be? – Conversations With Global Game Changers About The Climate Crisis

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My third book, What Will YOUR Legacy Be? – Conversations With Global Game Changers About The Climate Crisis is out on 30 January 2025 and is already receiving strong interest. I wrote to help readers to understand some of our biggest environmental challenges and how individuals, communities, organisations, and nations are restoring our planet. The book explores different themes – from science, food to the ocean, global politics, business, to the media, arts and music, communities, and more.

What Will YOUR Legacy Be? has a collection of conversations with thirty-six global influencers, thought leaders, and change-makers about the climate crisis and sustainability. The list of personalities and game changers includes a diversity of voices from – Ingmar Rentzhog, (CEO and Founder We Don’t Have Time), Julian Lennon (Founder, The White Feather Foundation and musician), Dr Kimberley Miner (NASA climate scientist), Rachel Cartwright (naturalist), Sunita Narain (Indian environmentalist and activist), and Nemonte Nenquimo (indigenous Waorani leader). In sharing their activities, wisdom, and knowledge, I present takeaway tips to inspire readers to become “climate change aware” and help create a sustainable mindset for themselves.

The book has received great endorsements from Mark Hoda, Chairman, The Gandhi Foundation, who says,“Gandhi told us ‘to be the change that we wanted to see in the world’, and Sangeeta’s book captures the spirit of Gandhi’s statement to remind us, that everyone can do something to help the planet. It starts with us.”

It has also been endorsed by Mark Seddon, Director, Centre for UN Studies, University of Buckingham. Former Speechwriter, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, former UN correspondent, Al Jazeera TV.

What Will YOUR Legacy Be? is a book, where the reader goes on a journey to understand the profound changes that our planet is undergoing and to think about the legacy that they would like to make for future generations.

 

 

Asian Achievers Awards 2024

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On 27 September, the 22nd Asian Achievers Awards took place at a glittering ceremony in London. The Awards brought together over 500 distinguished guests from around the world to celebrate the outstanding contributions of leading South Asians in the UK. Hosted by former Eastenders star Nitin Ganatra OBE and ITV newsreader Anila Dhami, the evening was a celebration of the exceptional achievements within the British Asian community.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “British Asians are a driving force behind much of the social, cultural, and economic innovation we see in Britain today. You represent so many of the values that help our communities thrive — ambition, hard work, and inclusivity, to name just a few. This is why it is wonderful to see so many British Asian change-makers being recognised tonight by the team at EPG.”

Among the winners were Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury, GP specialising in women’s health Dr. Nighat Arif, the founder of the Indian street food chain Chaiiwalas, and the founder of the largest distributor of car parts in Europe Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia. Former Member of Parliament Virendra Sharma was recognised for his over 50 years in public service and given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

I had my own Oscar moment and had the honour of announcing the winner of the Arts and Culture, which went to the fusion sound duo, Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan.

The evening saw electric performances from British Asian music pioneer Juggy D and Edinburgh Fringe Festival winner, stand-up comedian Ahir Shah.

 

Quiet Reflections Of The UK’s 2024 Summer Riots of Racism and Hatred

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It has been devasting to watch the past week of horrific racial violence unfold here in the UK.  It sadly overshadowed the tragedy of Southport. We know that this type of hatred has no place in our society, and we should call it out for what it is: racism, Islamophobia, and bigotry.

 

The hatred shown on the streets has been vile and shocking. It also threatens to damage Britain’s international reputation. As it says something when countries such as Malaysia, India, and Nigeria caution their citizens about travelling to the UK. I am not going to delve into the reasons why everything combusted because it is complicated…from the role social media played to the right-wing media and politicians, to the language used by the mainstream media, to Musk inciting violence, and how successive governments have squandered people’s trust and failed to tackle the deep-rooted problems that are blighting our communities.
However, the peaceful community gatherings, where thousands of anti-racism protesters came out and stood together in different parts of the country on 7 August in response to the anti-immigration riots, was magnificent. It restored my faith, and I found it uplifting and hopeful. It also made front page news, and these were the headlines that we need to see – that good triumphed over evil; that together we can make the right difference, and that hate, or violence is never the answer,

 

Something else that I found uplifting, which helped to my make internal flame of hope shine even brighter was Tim Walz’s speech in Philadelphia on the 6 of August. Walz is the Minnesota governor and has been chosen by Kamala Harris to be her running mate in the US Presidential elections. Walz talked about community, values, commitment, working for a common good, and that one person can make a difference. A speech that was very relevant to what was happening here across the pond.

“He’s the kind of person who makes people feel like they belong and then inspires them to dream big,” Harris said.

If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it, as Walz also gives a masterclass in speech delivery.

 

Photo Credit: Wiki Media