Climate Emergency
Welcombe Parish Council, in line with Devon County Council, the UK parliament and various other local authorities, have declared Climate Emergency.
Inaugural Meeting - Thursday 26th September, 6pm, Old Smithy Inn
The first meeting of the Welcombe Climate Emergency Working Group will be held on Thursday 26th September at 6pm, upstairs at The Old Smithy Inn. Everyone is very welcome to come along and discuss how we move forward.
Background
On October 8th 2018 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a vital report on the state of climate science. The warned that if the planet warmed by 1.5C there would be devastating consequences. Given that the planet is heading for 3-4 C warming, keeping to 1.5C requires a radical shift which needs as many people as possible to engage with positive ways to combat this situation, as well leadership from our government, business and local authorities.
What are we going to do in Welcombe?
Stopping at simply declaring a Climate Emergency achieves nothing except possibly sending a message to local and central government. We now need to form a strategy for the parish to, with the engagement of as many people as possible (individuals and business,) start to make changes to make a positive impact on this most serious situation. We have been invited to join a county wide initiative known as the Climate Emergency Network. It aims to create a forum and central knowledge base for all parishes & towns within Devon to come together, thereby being able to monitor and share ideas on how best to mitigate what is already happening.
What can you do?
The very next step in this process is to form a working group made up of volunteers from the village who would be prepared to meet and discuss the issue, brainstorm ideas and find a way coordinating our efforts within Welcombe. So, are you that person? It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, what age you are. If you have a passion about this subject, are concerned for our future and want to play a small role in fighting this, please get in touch. We are particularly invested in hearing from members of the farming community.
Who to contact?
Mick Gates is coordinating the project and so please call him on 07385 935165 or email mickgates@icloud.com
Hoping to hear from you!
Read the letter from Professor Peter Howard establishing the Network by clicking here