The Environment

Although there are some doubters, there is general agreement amongst politicians, scientists, professionals and most informed members of the public that global change is the biggest threat currently facing humankind. Changes are taking place to the environment at a breakneck speed largely due to human actions —a speed unmatched over the major part of geological history. Most important of these is change in the composition of atmosphere, principally the rise in the CO2 content and that of other greenhouse gasses. At the start of the Industrial Revolution (c.1750) the CO2 level was about 270ppm. Now it is 380ppm and likely to reach 400ppm in 10 years time. These are levels not reached during the previous 1 million years of the Earth’s history.

The rise in CO2 has resulted in an increase in the mean global temperature, demonstrated most noticeably by the fact that 8 of the 10 warmest years since temperatures were first recorded (about 1750) have occurred over the last dozen years. Forecasts indicate that global temperatures are likely to be 3 to 5 degrees warmer by 2100. Evidence of this rise is demonstrated by shrinking ice in the polar regions and retreat of glaciers elsewhere, melting of the permafrost, earlier onset of spring and the alterations to the normal regimes of flowering and patterns of bird migration and in many other ways. The continuation of sea level rise is expected and changes to global precipitation patterns. For South East England hotter summers with about 60% less rain, but more intense storms, are predicted, along with milder winter and about 30% more rain.

International initiatives such as the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, EU and national targets and carbon trading are amongst the instruments trying to stem the CO2 increase. The British government is one of those leading the movement towards international agreement. However a great deal more needs to be done in all aspects of life to achieve significant reductions in the greenhouse gas levels. “Think globally: act locally” is very pertinent to the problem.

So how can a Parish Council like ours help the situation? Are there things that we can do and encourage individuals to do? We each produce about 10 tonnes of CO2 per annum, when for sustainability the figure should be about 1 tonne. Life styles will have to change and we may each have a CO2 ration in the not too distant future. The consequences of not reducing emissions may be a planet which is untenable for our grandchildren and their progeny. However little things done now can help, things in the home, travelling and in daily life. These are some of them:

At home
Turn off lights on leaving a room, install energy saving light bulbs, shut off standbys. Turn down thermostats and wear more clothes, turn off radiators in rooms not being used. Choose green appliances, limit use of tumble dryers, recycle as much waste as possible, get and use a compost bin, save water, install water butts, install solar panels, heat pumps and windmills.

Travelling
Use public transport, share car journeys, walk and cycle for short trips, drive at lower speeds, choose a fuel efficient vehicle, don’t fly, neutralise your car’s emissions by donating to initiatives which fund alternative and renewable energy projects such as targetneutral.com

Shopping
Purchase local produce, consider food miles and transport costs. Select goods with limited packaging, don’t use plastic bags take your own bag.

General
Offset your carbon production by donating to Trusts which plant forests. Work with bodies such as The Energy Saving Trust. Lobby the County and District Councils, your MP and Parliament to institute measures which save energy eg by radically upgrading building standards, reducing lighting on rural roundabouts after midnight and in little used public areas.