‘I didn’t want to just feel frustrated – I wanted to do something’

Not long after finishing a short sustainability course, I came across a news story that stopped me in my tracks: an oil tanker had spilled 50,000 barrels of oil into the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Tobago.

That place means a lot to me, it’s where my family are from and I’ve holidayed there. Seeing the damage to its beaches and waters was heartbreaking.

It’s lamentable. And while it’s easy to blame big companies or distant governments, I couldn’t shake the feeling that, in some small way, I’m part of the system that allows this to happen.

That moment stayed with me. It’s one of the reasons I became a green rep. I didn’t want to just feel frustrated — I wanted to do something.

As trade unionists, we stand up for fairness, dignity and solidarity in the workplace. That includes protecting the environment we all depend on. This role gives me a chance to speak up, take action, and help others do the same.

Katie’s journey started much earlier. Growing up in rural Cornwall, she remembers a field near her home where she and a friend used to play—full of trees, wildflowers, and wildlife. 

Her friend’s family lived in a caravan on the land, but when they sold it for housing, everything changed. “They tried to relocate the animals,” she told me, “But I don’t know how well that worked. It was a lovely place, and then suddenly it was a building site.” That memory stuck with her, and it planted the seed for her interest in sustainability.

Spending time in nature is what keeps us both grounded. Living in the countryside, I’ve got access to green spaces where I can cycle, hit the trails, and just breathe. Whether it’s an early morning run through woodland paths or a quiet ride along country lanes, those moments remind me what we’re trying to protect. That connection is what fuels our motivation — it’s where the fight begins.

In our roles, we’ve seen how practical changes can make a real difference. In my job as a vehicle technician in a busy police fleet department, I’ve helped improve how we manage waste, explored eco-friendly alternatives to the products we use, and kept the conversation going with colleagues — because small steps matter.

Katie brings that same mindset home. One of her go-to habits is saving veg peelings and cooking water in the freezer to make rich stock for homemade soup. Whatever’s left goes into the council’s food waste programme. It’s a simple way to reduce waste, make good food, and use what you’ve got.

What’s needed in the space where you work?

Could some processes be digitalised to reduce paper use? Are there greener alternatives to the products you use every day — ones that don’t compromise on quality or cost? Could energy consumption be lowered by switching off equipment when it’s not in use, or by upgrading to more efficient models?

Are suppliers being held to account for their environmental practices? Could training or awareness sessions help build a stronger culture of sustainability?

These are the kinds of questions we should be asking. And more importantly, we should be acting on the answers.

The big decisions — like switching to renewable energy or electrifying entire fleets — need to be taken at leadership level. But there’s plenty we can do on the ground.

We know our workplaces better than anyone. We see where things can improve. And we have the power to push for those changes, one step at a time.

Outside of work, Katie’s involved in several sustainability projects. She’s a member of Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund. She’s passionate about Take The Jump—a campaign focused on personal actions that support the UK’s net zero goals. She also helps run stalls at eco-events, chatting with the public and sharing ideas.

“It’s great to see people get inspired,” she says.

Her dream initiative at work? Promoting sustainable holidays. “A lot of people don’t think about how they travel or where they stay. It all adds up.”

She’s also inspired by Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity and owner of the world’s first vegan football club. “He’s shown what’s possible when you commit to green energy.”

We both believe that small, everyday actions matter. Katie avoids plastic packaging, takes the train to work when she can. Her favourite sustainable brand is Lush — eco-friendly, long-lasting, and transparent about ingredients. She also supports B-Corp rated companies for their commitment to sustainability.

If she had a magic wand, she’d reset carbon levels to pre-industrial times. And if she had to pick a country doing sustainability right? “The Netherlands. They didn’t just switch to bikes overnight—it happened because people demanded change.”

We may never reach a perfect world. But striving for a better one is something we can do together — at work, at home, and in our communities.

Gareth Page and Katie Dickson are green reps at Hertfordshire Police Staff Branch UNISON.