Our story & team

Our story so far

Why did I set up Sussex Green Living?

“In 2011 with a 4-year-old son and growing concern for his future, worsening global warming and little time to achieve zero emissions, I decided to act. I knew we are stronger together hence my desire to set up a network of people working together for a better world”.

Carrie Cort founder & CEO

2012: On Earth Day, Carrie Cort planted a seed — not a literal one (well, maybe also that) — by starting a network of local people determined to green up their lives together, one lifestyle swap at a time. She trained as a voluntary West Sussex County Council Waste Prevention Advisor, hence our early focus was conservation of resources.

Growth spurt: That seed sprouted fast. Like actual mycelium, the network spread underground and popped up everywhere — volunteers in 22 villages started rescuing hard-to-recycle materials from landfill, sending them for recycling and teaching others to do the same.

2016: Carrie nurtured that growing movement by training with Al Gore and top climate scientists via the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.

Cort family on a mission

2017: SGL set up West Sussex’s first-ever Repair Cafe — a place where broken toasters get a new season of life instead of being binned. It was so successful, SGL became the fairy godmother to mentoring the formation of over 45 repair cafes, as far away as Ireland and Wales.

2019: Carrie co-founded the South East Climate Alliance, because saving the planet is a team effort.

2020: SGL officially blossomed into a registered charity, with Carrie as CEO, backed by dedicated trustees and an evergrowing army of volunteers. Its roots were firmly planted in three core missions: restoring biodiversity, conserving resources and sustainable food. As a way of getting back into the community after covid we purchased our eco float!

2024: Two new branches — the Green Business Network (helping businesses go green) and the Pollination Education Station Trail (helping to connect up nature corridors for the pollinators).

Today: SGL runs education and outreach everywhere — schools, councils, businesses, community events — often rolling up in their beloved 1974 eco float, a retrofitted milk float turned outdoor classroom on wheels. Fair warning: it’s slow, it’s iconic and if you’re stuck behind it on a Sussex road, just relax and enjoy the view. 🚙💨(not very 💨)