'What you can do to help your local environment?' - new Bromsgrove Eco Action column - The Bromsgrove Standard

'What you can do to help your local environment?' - new Bromsgrove Eco Action column

Bromsgrove Editorial 15th Jan, 2021   0

WELCOME to both 2021 and the first monthly eco news and action column.

This new column will feature Bromsgrove’s climate groups – starting with Bromsgrove Climate Action, followed next month by Bromsgrove Extinction Rebellion.

Bromsgrove Climate Action was created 18 months ago in response to a campaign by Friends of the Earth.

We believe everyone is a custodian of our planet for future generations.




As such, we must live sustainably, protect nature and pass on that information by talking to the broader community and lobbying local officials.

While the UK’s 2050 climate change target can feel far off, it is essential to remember humanity already feels the effects of climate change today with more frequent extreme weather events, such as devastating floods in India last year or the temperature and rainfall records getting broken across the UK.


So what can we as individuals do about it?

We can question how we can tackle climate change by making adjustments in our daily lives.

With transport being the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, we need to be taking fewer flights and walking or cycling more.

Next, we need to look at our diets to reduce the amount of meat and dairy we consume, as these food types have the most impact on nature.

Swapping to a green energy supplier and buying more of our goods locally is also an easy and effective way to make a difference.

Finally, it’s always good to remember the seven R’s: Refuse, reduce, reuse, refurbish, repair, repurpose and recycle.

Working within the community to tackle climate change is also very important.

Our group has been involved in planting trees in Perryfields Road with help from residents who have adopted the saplings until they are fully established.

We hope to involve local students in a similar scheme soon by joining schools in new tree planting projects.

Also one of our members has started creating a copse on her land in Tutnall with 60 saplings (a mix of birches, Rowans and wild cherry) planted with canes and protectors during two sessions by some members over the last six weeks.

Over the coming years, these will improve soil functionality, capture carbon and provide a habitat for many insects, small mammals, and birds.

Over the year our group has lobbied the district council to adopt a climate action plan for Bromsgrove – one member gave a presentation on climate action case studies from other UK councils.

Our group also helped highlight the council’s online climate change survey with a couple of socially distanced stalls in the High Street.

In the coming months we will be planning other activities at Zoom meetings and looking forward to leading a slightly more normal life where we can meet in person.

Visit the ‘Bromsgrove Climate Action’ Facebook page to find out more.

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