Category: Counting On …

Reflections and actions during COP26 and going on

Counting on … day 1.221

22nd November 2023

This week Christian Climate Action is embarking on its campaign to ask MPs to support the Loss and Damage Fund. 

If you too want to participate you can find a template letter to send  your MP on CCA’s web site – https://christianclimateaction.org/events/

Or via this link  – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sa7QyhFFMC2mpobJJG0Z8G3XOErzz5b-_O9-glkC1V8/edit?usp=sharing

Why is this important?

The climate crisis is being felt across the world but the damage is inflicted unevenly. Some countries – often the poorest – are being hit harder. And perversely these are countries that have contributed least to the problem. 

Malawi, for example, has been inflicted by intense tropical storms – most recently Cyclone Freddy with 200 deaths – flooding, mud slides, and droughts. But Malawi struggles to cover the cost of the damage as it is already heavily burden with foreign debt as it tries to improve the economy and living standards of its people.

The UK, which profited from early industrialisation, has emitted 78,500 million tonnes CO2e since the start of the Industrial Revolution, whilst Malawi has emitted a mere 52 million tonnes. The UK is a wealthy nation with GDP of $3,871,790 million, whilst Malawi has a GDP of only $37,900 million. (Populations are approx 68 million and 21 million respectively).

The injustice in this situation gave rise to the proposal at COP26 for a Loss and Damage Fund. This fund will use money supplied by the wealthy – those who caused the CO2 pollution – to pay for the damage being suffered by the most vulnerable. In the two years since then committees have been working out the details of the scheme. Once finalised this is to be ratified at the forthcoming COP28.

Of current concern is whether the UK government will continue to a) support the introduction of the Loss and Damage Fund, and b) whether it will be willing to contribute its fair share.

Counting on … day 1.220

21st November 2023

Following on from yesterday’s post, another area where we as individuals can make a difference is in our choice of diet. Cutting back on meat and dairy can both reduce pressures vis a vis deforestation, and directly reduce emissions arising from farm livestock. 

In particular, when cutting back on meat and dairy, we may want to review the provenance of what meat and dairy we do eat. We may want to investigate how and where the relevant livestock are reared – whether they are fed on imported grain, whether they are intensively farmed, whether they are grass fed and have access to outdoor spaces, whether they are reared organically, whether they are reared in the UK or elsewhere, and even what provision is made for the safe disposal of their sewage. Effluent from industrial sized chicken farms are severely polluting the River Wye.

For more information on the merits of meat-based, vegetarian and vegan diets see – https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/climate-impact-meat-vegetarian-vegan-diets

Counting on … day 1.219

20th November 2023

The authors of the State of Climate Action 2023 report advise that world needs to:

  • Retire about 240 average-sized coal-fired power plants a year, every year between now and 2030.
  • Construct the equivalent of three New Yorks’ worth of public transport systems in cities around the world each year this decade.
  • Halt deforestation, which is happening to an area the size of 15 football pitches every minute, this decade.
  • Increase the rate of growth of solar and wind power from its current high of 14% a year to 24% a year.
  • Cut meat consumption from ruminants such as cows and sheep to about two servings a week in the US, Europe and other high-consuming countries by 2030.” (1)

We may feel we have little control over deforestation, especially that which happens outside the UK, but indirectly we do. Many of the products we consume every day come directly or indirectly from forested land that has been cleared to allow for commercial production of sugar, palm oil and soya beans. 

Palm oil is an interesting crop as it finds itself in many products ranging from toothpaste to margarine, laundry liquid to biscuits. When listed as an ingredient, it may appear as palm but can as easily appear as palm- , stear- , laur- , or  glyc-. Reducing our consumption of palm oil, or seeking products made from sustainably produced palm oil, does take some research – Ethical Consumer has a useful guide – https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/palm-oil/palm-oil-free-list

Processed soya beans may feed directly into our shopping basket as tofu, tempeh or as soya milk (and other similar dairy replacements).  This accounts for a very small portion of global soya production – less than 6%. Most of the global output of soya beans (77%) is used as animal feed. By eating less meat and dairy produce we can reduce the demand for soya beans and hence deforestation! 

For more information on palm oil and how to avoid its damaging production – https://greentau.org/2021/12/15/green-tau-issue-27/

For more information on the dangers of sugar plantations – https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/sugar-a-killer-crop.html, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jun/18/a-shame-for-the-world-ugandas-fragile-forest-ecosystem-destroyed-for-sugar?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other, 

For more information on soya beans and deforestation- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/06/top-grain-traders-helped-scupper-ban-on-soya-from-deforested-land?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other , https://ourworldindata.org/soy

(1) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/14/world-behind-on-almost-every-policy-required-to-cut-carbon-emissions-research-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Counting on … day 1.218

17th November 2023

In September of this year, the Sycamore Gap Tree was, through criminal action, chopped down. Previously a 400 year old oak was felled in Northamptonshire to make way for road improvements. A 600 year old oak was felled in Peterborough because it was damaging nearby buildings. A 250 year old wild pear tree was felled In Warwickshire to make way for HS2. 

Should we treasure trees as much as we treasure buildings? Are they not an as important part of the landscape? 

The Woodlands Trust is pressing “the UK, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments to protect our most important trees by:

  • Legally protected heritage status for some of our most ancient and important trees
  • Strong, consistent policy protection for old trees  
  • More support for land managers to care for ancient and veteran trees”

If you would like to add your name to their petition, here is the link –

https://campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/99702/petition/2

The Woodlands Trust also has ideas for home made Christmas gifts – https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2023/10/homemade-christmas-gifts/?utm_campaign=3328841_E23COM041_Newsletter_Dynamic&utm_medium=email&utm_source=E23COM044&utm_content=Christmas-Crafting&dm_i=2D76,1ZCJT,6HXEUF,71JUC,1

Counting on … day 1.217

16th November 2023  

The lead author of the study into the health (or rather threatened health) of our woodlands, published in  ‘Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research’, is Dr Eleanor Tew, head of forest planning at Forestry England and visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge. Whilst the threat of a collapse of our woodland ecosystems is possible, it is not inevitable. “We do have time to make a difference, and there is a lot we can do to make our forests more resilient,” said Tew, who described the paper as a “call for action”… The forestry industry has to plan in advance …. an average conifer in a plantation can take up to 60 years to reach maturity, and a broadleaf up to 150 years. “Forestry has always been about planning for the long-term, and we’re at a time of huge change,” said Tew. Solutions [could] include increasing the diversity of tree species within a wood, planting trees of different ages, promoting natural regeneration and managing deer populations.”(1)

The Forestry Journal published advice from ConFor the forestry’s  industry wide body  to improve tree planting:-

  • a coordinated UK-wide approach to the 30,000-hectare target, currently not in place;
  • planting targets to be clearly linked to delivering other policy objectives – mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity and delivering rural jobs and growth;
  • clear targets to use more home-grown wood – the UK is the second highest global net importer of wood after China, and using more wood will lock up more carbon (2)

Growing timber for domestic use – eg construction, furniture making etc seems logical. Maybe we can help by specifying such products if we are making such purchases. 

(1) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/uk-forests-face-catastrophic-ecosystem-collapse-within-50-years-study-says-aoe?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

(2) https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/18834822.confor-calls-urgent-action-tackle-uk-tree-planting-failure/

Counting on … day 1.216

15th November 2023

At a time when there may be fewer jobs in UK-based mining and steel making, there are opportunities for more people to work in the forestry industry. 

At a recent Forestry Conference, Chris Williams the CEO of the Royal Forestry Society commented that a “Lack of woodland management is a major cause of biodiversity loss in the UK. We have a skills shortage. Between 2021 and 2025, 10 per cent of forestry workers will retire.” 

The Forestry Journal goes on to report on possible solutions that were discussed:- 

“What can we do?  Increase the number of forestry courses. Include forestry/agroforestry modules within land-management courses. Run courses where they are easier to reach (London/Birmingham). Offer a graduate conversion course, a PGCF (a postgraduate certificate in forestry?) and work with the EFRA committee and the agricultural sector. Adapt: create new pathways into the industry for the neurodiverse, care leavers and ex-military personnel: promote the positives: improve pay.”

“The RFS offers career roadshows, blogs celebrating women in forestry, careers advice. They develop pathways into industry with universities and participate in the Forestry Skills Forum. “The Green Tree badge initiative hopes to engage one million children (via school, Scouts, Guides, or family) in activities that raise awareness of forestry. If you don’t reach that eight-year-old, you won’t reach the 18 -year-old. Make it easier to find the sector and for people to get on board.” (1) 

  1. (https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/forestry-journal-features/23914844.forestry-conference-2023-focuses-industry-skill-shortages/)

Counting on … day 1.215

14th November 2023

To address both the climate and biodiversity crises, the government has a target, set in the Environment Act, for increasing tree increasing tree and woodland cover to 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050. (Sadly this is less than the 17.5% increase originally laid down in the 2021 legislation). 

However as the Woodlands Trust points out, there must be a focus on quality as well as quantity:- 

“ We need an ambitious target which ensures woods are:

  • best for wildlife: at least 300,000 ha of all new trees and woods must be native to provide havens for hundreds of woodland species by 2050
  • well connected: expanding our existing woodland patches will connect and increase habitat sizes and boost their benefits.” (1)

There is therefore an urgency to the need for quality tree planting and, as importantly, for maintenance. The Guardian highlighted a recent report from ‘Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research’ which warned that “UK forests are heading for “catastrophic ecosystem collapse” within the next 50 years due to multiple threats including disease, extreme weather and wildfires … with trees dying on a large scale.” (2)

We as individuals can help in a couple of small ways –

  1. By using the online Tree Alert tool to report possible tree pests and diseases. 
  2. By ensuring our boots are clean before walking in a new woodland to avoid spreading disease.
  3. By sponsoring trees through groups such as The Woodlands Trust, the Wildlife Trust, Trees for Life, the NHS Forest, or the National Forest (planting trees in the former industrial areas of the Midlands)

https://treesforlife.org.uk/support/plant-a-tree/

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/give/dedications/

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/adopt-species/adopt-tree-or-habitat

Sponsor a tree for the NHS Forest

https://www.nationalforest.org/

(1) (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/tree-target/)

(2) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/uk-forests-face-catastrophic-ecosystem-collapse-within-50-years-study-says-aoe?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Counting on … day 1.214

13th November 2023

Earlier this month I wrote about plans for switching from coal fired to electric fired furnaces for producing steel. It is an essential move in terms of reducing green house gas emissions, but it comes with complications – the electric furnaces need a smaller workforce so new jobs needed in other parts of the economy; the electric furnaces use recycled metal rather than raw ore which is a good thing in terms of reducing unsustainable consumption of raw materials but does need us now to have better systems for collecting and recycling unwanted metal; and a reduction in demand for coal:

“Electric arc furnaces require only 9kg of coking coal a tonne of steel against 780kg for a tonne of blast furnace steel, according to the lobby group UK Steel. British blast furnaces produced 4.8m tonnes of steel in 2022, suggesting they may have used 3.7m tonnes of coking coal. Based on UK Steel’s figures, producing the same amount of steel in electric arc furnaces would require only 43,000 tonnes of coal, or about 1.7% of the Cumbrian mine’s output.” (1)

This must call into question whether there is any sense of continuing with the creation of the West Cumbrian coal mine. But equally it points to the need to develop other parts of our economy to create employment and to use the skills that people have.

 (1) https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/07/fresh-calls-to-scrap-cumbrian-coalmine-amid-steel-industrys-green-push

Counting on …day 1.213

10th November 2023

A Rocha reminds us: ‘Prepare now and give a bird a home in 2024. It might seem to be a strange time to be thinking about bird boxes, but this is the season in which many of our resident birds slowly begin the process of looking for nest sites for next year. Therefore, it is a really good idea to get as many new boxes up as you can, before the end of the autumn season, as it will make it more likely for boxes to be used next spring. See here for more nest box tips.’ 

Give a bird a home in 2024

Also if you have any bug or bee hotels, move them into a sheltered spot lest exposure to particularly cold temperatures kills the inhabitants.