Climate Change

'Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. The first step towards tackling the problem is to make sure everyone understands exactly what the challenge is and the difference they could make'. ( DirectGov Climate Change)

Our earth retains its temperature thanks to a layer of "greenhouse" gases in the atmosphere, which trap energy from the sun. Without this greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be more than 30°C colder than it is now.
As human activities involving the burning of fossil fuels increases, the concentrations of the greenhouse gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide (CO2), build up in the atmosphere. This causes the world to heat up unnaturally, the weather to become more unpredictable and increases the likelihood of more extreme weather events. This heating process is often referred to as global warming and the overall effect is known as climate change.
We all contribute in some way towards increasing the layer of gases. We do this by using these emissions through the energy we use directly:

• to transport ourselves
• to heat or cool our homes and workplaces
• to cook food
• for any other use, such as lighting, running appliances and entertainment

and indirectly through the energy that goes into producing all the things we purchase - and the things we throw away:

• basics such as food, water, housing, clothing and healthcare
• items like DVD's, electrical appliances, cosmetics and holidays
• gases from what we throw away - such as rotting food

In Herefordshire and the United Kingdom, climate change is likely to mean:

• hotter temperatures,
• warmer, wetter winters,
• hotter, drier summers,
• increased summer time thunder storms and intense rainfall
• less snow,
• the loss of some animal and plant species,
• more severe flooding of coastal and river areas and also flash flooding.

This is likely to bring irreversible changes to our wildlife, environment, and could have a devastating effect on agriculture, business, our way of life and thus on the local economy - unless we act together now.

Herefordshire Council signed the Nottingham Declaration in 2005 and set a target of reducing carbon emissions from it's own services by 20% by 2020. The 'Emissions Inventory' and the 'CMAP Report' in the Resources box give further information on this work.

Herefordshire Council, a partner in the Herefordshire Partnership, signed Herefordshire's Climate Change Strategy '2020 Vision' in June 2006. This aims:

'To place Herefordshire at the forefront of climate change understanding and initiatives within the United Kingdom and to ensure we make our contribution towards tackling this global problem in a coherent, appropriate and beneficial way for Herefordshire'.

This year, 2008, central government introduced a set of 198 national performance indicators, which for the first time included several on climate change:

• NI 185 - CO2 reduction from Local Authority operations
• NI 186 - Per Capita CO2 reduction in the LA area
• NI 187 - Tackling fuel poverty
• NI 188 - Adaptation to Climate Change
• NI 189 - Flood and coastal erosion risk management
• NI 194 - Level of air quality - reduction in NOx and primary PM10 emissions in Local Authority estate and operations
• NI 197 - Improved Biodiversity - active management of local sites

The Herefordshire Partnership have adopted 35 of these indicators into the Local Area Agreement as priorities for the next 3 years, and included into this is NI 186 - reduction in carbon emissions in the county. For NI 186 we have set a challenging target of 13.1% per capita reduction for CO2 emissions by 2010.

Herefordshire's 'Take action on climate change' booklet (see Resources panel) sets out quick and easy ways to making a difference against climate change and how to obtain grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

The carbon already emitted globally means that some changes to the climate cannot now be avoided. In order to adapt to the effects of climate change, we are currently undertaking a Local Climate Impact Profile. This project is exploring the effects of severe and extreme weather events in Herefordshire over the last 10 years and assessing the subsequent impacts on Council services. When completed this report will be available to view as a downloadable link.

The rural nature of Herefordshire presents some special opportunities for you to help slow climate change as well as to adapt to it, so that negative effects will be less. There are many sound economic, health, social and environmental benefits from acting now rather than later. What's more, it would be a splendid advert for Herefordshire if it could become a leading county in tackling climate change in a rural area.

Here are a few suggestions of how you might go about making a difference:

• Calculate your Carbon Footprint - Our online Carbon Calculator will enable you to calculate your own carbon footprint and will provide you with tailored advice on how you might reduce this. It also lets you compare your footprint with your parish average so you can get a good indication of how you are doing locally.
• Take the Steps Challenge - Becoming more sustainable doesn't have to cost the earth - it might even save you money! Our Steps to Sustainability challenge is focused on small steps you and your family can take in your everyday life. A few small steps really can make a difference!
• Improve your Home Energy Efficiency - It's easy to reduce our energy usage. Improving home insulation and kicking bad habits such as leaving appliances on standby can save both energy and money.
• Choose Sustainable Travel - Where possible plan your journeys to enable you to carshare, use public transport, walk or cycle. In addition to the environmental benefits, walking and cycling are free and good for you!

Doing your bit will not only benefit yourself, but your family, future generations, this wonderful county and quite possibly the planet!

If you would like to receive monthly emails with information on current projects, upcoming events, news and available grants, please email bboswell@herefordshire.gov.uk with Climate Change in the subject box.