In the UK, we do have a Climate Change Act 2008, which is the first law in the world to make a legal binding target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, to date there has only been an increase in these emissions. Essex County Council have now made a commitment to address our carbon footprint and improve climate and environment.
Context
The consumption and use of fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil is causing climate change. The increase in use of fossil fuels is increasing the thickness of the carbon dioxide blanket in the atmosphere, which as a result is warming up the earth. This is already impacting the stabilisation of our ecosystems which means our wildlife, organisms, our living environment and weather system is being impacted all over the world. Over the last 20 years we have seen a dramatic increase in the following:
- Pressurised ecosystem on land: increase wildfires, droughts,
- Extreme Weather changes: torrential rain, hotter weather, and larger storms.
- Extinction of our wildlife: pressure of extinction of our animals, insects and micro-organisms.
- Destruction of our environment: deforestation - trees are the worlds lungs!
- Pressurised eco-system in the ocean: the destruction of our coral reefs, icebergs and hotter oceans.
Our generation will be responsible for the loss of our eco-system, scientists warned the world over 40 years ago and it is now time for us to take action. It is projected that at the end of 2100 the earth could be 3-6 degrees hotter. Sea levels could rise by 80cms. We are at a tipping point, where if we do not do something we will not be able to undo the damaged we have caused to our earth.
"We are running out of time, but there is still hope" David Attenborough
Watch the People climate webinar
Increasingly, the climate is becoming more important to local government, Essex businesses, and our residents. Going forwards, it will play a greater part in the tenders and contracts that the Council lets. Did you know that the Council wants to reduce the carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030 across adult social care, and to be fully net zero by 2050.
To help inform businesses and residents we have compiled a short video. Whilst we appreciate everyone is increasingly busy, we hope you will take the time to watch the video and see what changes you can make within your home or business to support this journey. We hope you saw our article last week on the Carbon Cutting App which will give you hints, tips, and pledges you can make in this space. For any questions or suggestions, please contact us at market.shaping@essex.gov.uk
In Essex we have specific demographic pressures that will impact our county by 2050. If we are unable to make a impact on our greenhouse gas emissions, it is understood that:
- Essex will have increased flooding; this will be due to our soils not obtaining enough rain, therefore hardening and the inability to absorb rain when required.
- Essex will have coastal erosion; parts of our coast that is under 10 metres in sea levels.
- There will be subsidence causing damages to buildings, roads, rail and other areas.
- Drought and water scarcity due to lack of rain and water reserves drying up.
The direct impact will be:
- damage to soils and crops failures; plants will not be robust for insects and disease. This could cause food supply issues.
- heat-related deaths; Essex has a number of vulnerable families and adults that can be impacted and open to heat exertion.
- bio-diversity and habitat loss
- new diseases
- supply chain issues
In 2020 Essex launched their Climate and Environment agenda, for information on our strategy please review Our environmental statement - Essex County Council.