I'm sure that everyone will have been enjoying the beautiful weather that we have been having in Wakefield over the Easter holidays. It feels like the summer holidays have come early, children already playing outside, the smell of BBQs and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. As the local elections approach in May instead of being out in freezing weather party volunteers will be able to get a sun tan and if the weather continues, I hope that everyone will turn out to vote.
However, with this unseasonably warm weather comes a sense of unease. I wonder if other people have had the same thought as myself, that maybe this is a sign that something is wrong. Is Yorkshire really meant to be this warm and sunny at this ti
me or year, should we really be getting sun burnt in April after an hour outside?
Most people accept that the unseasonably warm spring we are having is a result of global warming. Although many of us enjoy the thought of Bridlington, Filey or Skegness becoming the new Majorca, the effects of climate change on those already struggling to cope in extreme weather conditions should make us think again.
According to Oxfam people in low-income countries are four times more likely to die in natural disasters than people in high income countries such as the UK. Globally, disaster losses have increased from $71 billion in the 1960s to $608 billion in 1990s. Poverty and lagging development increases people's vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. A very worrying statistic from the World Health Organisation suggests that already 150,000 people already die as a result of the effects of climate change.
So what is the Government doing to tackle Climate Change and what can we as individuals do to help? The Government is promoting the development of a global carbon market with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and is taking further steps towards developing carbon capture and storage technology. As a lot of energy gets wasted in the home, often due to poor design or old housing stock, the Government is encouraging homebuilding that meets a green standard. Most importantly the Government recently introduced the draft Climate Change Bill into Parliament. This includes a series of targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions - including making the UK's targets for a 60% reduction by 2050 and a 26 to 32% reduction by 2020 legally binding and a new system of legally binding five year "carbon budgets", set at least 15 years ahead, to provide clarity increase the certainty that businesses and individuals need to invest in low-carbon technologies.
However, this Government action needs to work together with small personal contributions, turning off electrical devices on standby, reducing car journeys and using the train instead of short flights in the UK. I try to use the bike as often as I can and share car journeys when necessary. I also recycle and try to compost instead of throwing away leftovers. So while we are enjoying the sunshine let's take a few minutes to think about simple ways in which we can make our lives greener. Maybe take advantage of the good weather by cycling into work if possible. If the weather continues like this instead of wasting money on a short haul flight to Spain rediscover holidays in the UK. Hopefully by the time you read this it won't have started raining again
