CLIMATE CHANCE?

Photo caption: The huge forest fires of recent years, accidental or deliberate, have a major adverse impact through release of carbon to the atmosphere. It may be hard to stop the natural ones, but deliberate burning of the Amazon and other forests is short-sighted, irresponsible and avoidable. (Public domain image.)

We hear much about the very serious consequences for our environment and ourselves if we do not act urgently and extensively to halt anthropogenic climate change, but is there a chance of change in attitudes and that some progress is being made? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published its conclusions on what must happen and how quickly: basically that we must limit global warming to 1.5°C or less and by 2030 or preferably earlier.

There has been a lot of talk but not much “do” – but one thing has changed: awareness. Stars of environmental campaigning like Greta Thunberg have been exceptional in putting climate change front and centre in the news, as have action groups such as Extinction Rebellion. Even if there are some Trumpian and Johnsonian deniers and doubters who seem immune to scientific evidence, there can be few  “normal” people who are no longer aware of the crisis we face. The public’s attitude has changed, and for the better – and that tends to drive politicians and policy makers when it is strong enough. And it is strong now.

There is always an inevitable lag between public outcry and political, social and economic change. In this case, though, the crisis that is upon us will brook no dithering and, for example, granting permission for a new coal mine in Cumbria sends totally the wrong signals and frankly is just plain stupid, even if it will have a fifty megawatt solar farm nearby to provide some of its energy requirements. 

That said, there are the faintest sparks of hope that could just light the blaze of change we need. We read of the politicians’ commitments to making new buildings carbon neutral by 2020 with the Architects Climate Action Network in full support. Indeed, throughout the construction sector there is a buzz of news and plans for zero carbon and climate change reversal. Just using building materials that are environmentally friendly will be a big help – the construction industry produces 120 million tonnes of waste a year, mostly from knocking down structures without recycling the materials the demolition produces. Note too that the International Energy Agency reports that offshore wind is able to generate enough, or in fact more than enough, electricity to meet the world’s demand. Tidal energy as well has great potential. In the agricultural sector, too, there is much more awareness of sustainability and reversing biodiversity loss that play important roles in balancing the carbon cycle and thus in climate change.

Much is happening. I have previously written about the potential of tree planting, and carbon “sinks” of all kinds are potentially a huge help towards solving the crisis that people all over the world are now talking about. The interest in solar and renewable energy has never been greater, well not since humans “invented” fire anyway, and we can all play our part in our daily lives: recycle, insulate, plant trees, avoid environmentally unfriendly products, reduce fossil fuel use, use solar energy, invest in companies with sound sustainable energy and environmental policies, etc. 

We can do this, but it will take all of us thinking about all our daily actions to achieve the synergy that comes from collaboration towards the goal.

Global warming-induced droughts and desertification are major drivers of climate change. Deserts and xeric landscapes have been expanding in many places around the world in recent years, a worrying sign of climate change. (Photo by Dr C Betts)

Betts Ecology is already planting more trees and looking at how best to reduce energy, recycle waste and replace purchases and processes with better low carbon options. We also monitor species on the greenspaces we manage which helps inform us of ecological changes and factors that are likely to relate to climate change.

Text and desertification photo © Betts Ecology