When absorbing news as negative as that following the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) it can be difficult to remain hopeful. The headlines came as evidence of the effects the report spells out – wildfires, floods and dangerous heatwaves – are clear to us all, so hopefully urgent action will follow.
Since the first of these reports landed three decades ago governments have prioritised political survival ahead of the urgent action needed to ensure the survival of people and planet but let’ s hope that the level of recent coverage and tone of initial political reaction suggest a wind of change.
In November the UK will host the COP26 international climate conference and we must challenge our government to ‘walk the walk’ rather than merely ‘talking the talk’. In the face of a global catastrophe it can seem that our efforts as individuals are too small to matter – but what is the alternative? Give up and do nothing?
Alongside the realisation that we have damaged our climate and must reduce our carbon emissions, it is clear that we have damaged natural systems and put wildlife we cherish at risk but there is room for hope.
Whilst individual action on carbon reduction may be too imperceptible to notice, direct action for nature can bring fast, visible results.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is ramping up efforts to enhance wildlife habitats in our care and working with other landowners to provide opportunities for nature to adapt to climate change. On a personal level, installing a bird feeder or creating a garden pond will provide welcome habitat and as well as knowledge that you are doing your bit.
There is still hope and taking action is the right thing to do, but can’t go on presenting a rose-tinted picture of the parlous state of our local patch or the planet. More of us need to take action and we need to start today.
Further details of how you can take action for nature can be found at nottinghamshirewildlife.org/Actions
Written by Erin McDaid, Marketing and Communications Manager at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
