ReadingCAN at Reading Town Meal 2020

It was great to be able to share some of the thing we are planning to do in our new Reading Climate Emergency Strategy last night. Many thanks to Michael Bright, and all at Reading Town Meal, for organising the event and for keeping things going despite the Covid restrictions.

Reading Town Meal website

Our presentations

As promised here are our presentations:

Got a few moments to spare these strange days?

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Reading Rowing Club with River Thames in flood

Then help climate scientists understand past rainfall variations and improve models for future flooding events?

The UK has an amazing repository of rainfall records from the last 200 years, but most of this is handwritten  and not that easy to use in the current era. The Rainfall Rescue Project is seeking volunteers to transfer all these old handwritten pages of rainfall data into online spreadsheets.

It’s easy to do a few tens of records a day without getting bored to tears, but I  recommend that you choose the option to transcribe local records because it is easier to read the handwritten locations if you recognise the place names!

Find out about the proposed Reading and Caversham Flood Alleviation Scheme

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The Environment Agency is hosting 7 public drop-in events from 26 February to 20 March. Come along to find out more about flood risk in Reading and Caversham, what residents can do to prepare and our updated plans for a possible flood scheme. There will also be information on how climate change may increase flood risk in the future.

Over 700 properties are at risk from a major flood in Reading and Caversham. The latest design to reduce flood risk includes a combination of flood walls and embankments, temporary flood barriers and a channel.

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Reading and Caversham FAS drop in dates Feb-Mar 2020

 

After listening to feedback from the public, we have made changes to the proposed design and have new information to share. At the drop-ins, there will be landscape plans and photos showing what the scheme could look like if it is built. There will also be photos of historical flooding and information about local flood risk and how you can sign up for warnings.

It is important to note that the project is still at an early stage, so it does not yet have the relevant permissions and may not go ahead.

photoIf you would like to find out more about the project please visit the website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/north-reading-and-lower-caversham-flood-alleviation-scheme/north-reading-and-lower-caversham-flood-alleviation-scheme

If you have any questions please speak to a project member At the drop ins or email the team at readingandcavershamscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk

 

 

Help us write the new Climate Strategy for Reading

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We had a fantastic launch event on the 13th June. This opened the 6 month consultation on the 3rd Reading Climate Change Strategy.

Please do get involved: your ideas, energy and commitment are going to be really important to make a real success of this.  You can take part in a number of different ways e.g. by attending meetings, commenting on proposals and encouraging others to also engage in shaping Reading’s future.  To get in touch with the various themes, please find the contact details below:

4 cross-cutting themes have also been identified:

  • Education
  • Adaptation (Resilience)
  • Business
  • Community

To get involved with these cross-cutting themes, or if you have any general questions or suggestions please contact info@readingcan.org.uk.

Each theme will have one of the action plans that are the backbone of the strategy. For more details about all of the themes, please scroll down.

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Water Supply and Flooding:

The current strategic priorities are:

  • to manage supply of and demand for water
  • to provide guidance about safe reuse of water
  • to reduce the expected impact of water shortages on consumers and on wildlife
  • to reduce the risk of flooding, pollution, and potential damage to homes
  • to develop an adaptation plan for Reading so we can plan for extreme events associated with the changing climate.

Key questions in meeting these aims are:

  • What will prevent us from getting the water we need?
  • How can we engage in practical water efficiency messages, calling people to help build a water efficient town, using and reusing water sustainably?
  • How can we measure the real impacts of flooding, not only as events, but also the damaging effects to the local economy and the domestic, community, and business lives, and not to forget to the sustainability of the town?

We can then use this to draw together an outline plan for the Town of Reading.

To find out more and get involved email: water@readingcan.org.uk

Transport and mobility:

Transport has a key role to play in tackling climate change. Solutions to the transport and mobility question can also improving air quality and promoting health and wellbeing, whilst enabling economic growth and housing delivery. In addition to the Climate Change Strategy, the Council are in the process of updating the transport strategy for Reading, prioritising the provision of sustainable transport to encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling as an attractive alternative to the private car.

Key questions in meeting these aims are:

  • What is it about our way of life that encourages private vehicle ownership and non-low carbon transport infrastructure?
  • What kind of alternatives can we imagine and how might we influence or bring about these changes?
  • What technologies and solutions can help reduce the dependency on fossil fuel based transport systems whilst continuing to service our economy and communities?

To find out more and get involved email: transport@readingcan.org.uk

Health:

Climate change and associated air pollution is worsening physical and mental health and negatively affecting food production.

One of the key questions for this theme is:

  • In what ways might emphasising climate change as a personal and public health issue in Reading encourage people to participate in steps to curb climate change?

To find out more and get involved email: health@readingcan.org.uk

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Natural Environment and Green spaces:

The new local plan requires identification and enhancement of wildlife corridors through the town, connecting the existing green spaces and ensuring that new development contributes rather than detracts from these aims. Private gardens and business sites could be part of the solution. Green spaces need enhancement for nature conservation, management of water flows and droughts, assisting in reducing air pollution and urban heating and improving well-being.

One of the key questions for this theme is:

  • What are the changes needed and how do we get the community to participate?

To find out more and get involved email: nature@readingcan.org.uk

Energy and Low Carbon Development:

Maybe one of the most challenging topics that is on the forefront of the Climate Change issue. We all need to find a way to reduce our energy consumption and use renewable energy for the energy we do use. This is closely linked to carbon emissions and solutions to both problems tend to go hand in hand.

Key questions in meeting these aims are:

  • How can we bring about a reduction in energy demand?
  • What renewable energy technologies will be best for Reading and how can these be encouraged and installed?
  • How can buildings reduce energy consumption and are there alternative ways of heating and cooling buildings?

To find out more and get involved email: energy@readingcan.org.uk

Purchasing, Supply and Consumption:

In short: stuff. Every choice we make about what to buy and consume has consequences. Our society has come to rely on a make-use-dispose model of consumption that assumes resources are infinite – both the raw materials and the energy used to manufacture goods. We have come to expect to be able to buy out of season and non-indigenous foods regardless of the water, materials and energy used to grow, package and transport them. In a zero-carbon future, we will need better ways to harness and conserve resources to deliver the quality of life we desire without leaving an unwelcome legacy for future generations.

One of the key questions for this theme is:

  • How are we able to consume less or in a much more considerate way?

To find out more and get involved email: resources@readingcan.org.uk

Cross-cutting themes:

The cross-cutting themes are common across the strategy. They do not have action plans themselves but they are useful lens to look across the 6 main themes. As we launch the strategy, we have identified 4 cross-cutting themes. This number could grow through time.

  • Education – this theme covers the interaction with schools, colleges and other educational establishments, as well as a general sharing of our “learning about climate change” so we can all make better informed decisions.
  • Adaptation (Resilience) – this theme captures the need to “Get Reading Ready” for the changes that we expect to happen with the changing climate. Weather patterns are already shifting, and the risks associated with extreme events are increasing. We must prepare for this, and our First Reading Adaptation Plan will help to guide our initial steps.
  • Business – the business community has a very important role in helping us to deliver our strategy, as well as ensuring that each individual business is switched-on to the twin challenges of getting ready for climate change and cutting our carbon footprint to zero by 2030.
  • Community – the community of Reading is diverse and complex, with varying levels of engagement and capacity when it comes to climate change. We need to grow the Reading Climate Action Network (ReadingCAN) to make sure we get through to everyone who lives, works and visits this town. We need to help people to make good choices and pick up an optimistic vision of the future for Reading.

To find out more and get involved email: info@readingcan.org.uk

 

About the new strategy consultation – Interview with Chris Beales (RCCP Chair)

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It was my great pleasure to be interviewed by Ayo Sokale – one of Caversham’s new Councillors. This is the first in a series of five interviews. In this we talk about our plans for new Reading Climate Change Strategy.

We are writing the new strategy between now and Christmas. Please do get involved – you can find out more here:

 

Make fashion circular – Say no to Fast Fashion

Clothing is a necessity and for many a way of expressing ourselves and boosting confidence, yet the process of making them is extremely wasteful and polluting. The production of these textiles itself, whether they’re synthetic or natural, is also causing harm. Kay Politowicz, Professor of Textile Design at the University of the Arts in London, says “The increasing consumption of textiles for clothing is causing the biggest textiles impact on the environment” . The fashion industry depends on oil and gas and consumes enormous amounts of water, contributing to vast mountains of waste.

The life cycle of clothes we wear and buy is something most of us take for granted – right from the supply chain as to who makes them, where and how and where they end up after use.

This video from Ellen MacArthur Foundation explains the problem caused and the idea of circular fashion in a nutshell.

“Plastic from a variety of products –  carpet, clothing, packaging – are showing up in our tap and bottled water and even our beer. ”

Say no to fast fashion

Here are some points to highlight the impact of fast fashion which is surely not Ethical 

  • 100 billion garments are produced every year globally
  • The average number of ‘wears’ per garment a person owns is just 4
  • The fashion industry is the fifth most polluting in the world
  • 100 million tonnes of non-renewables are used every year in the fashion industry globally
  • 65% of clothes use polyester – and this contains micro plastics, which are shed when clothes are washed
  • Half a million tonnes – equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles – of plastic microfibers from washing garments ends up in the ocean every year on average, which in turn enters the food chain
  • Extending the life of a garment by 3 months can reduce its carbon footprint by 5-10%
  • Charity shops reduce the UK carbon footprint by 3.7 million tonnes a year

Impact of clothing industry

Lot of companies and charities are working to try and combat this

1) If doing a wardrobe clear out, use Traid who offer a free home collection service. Similarly you can donate to charity shops or use the recycle services from retailers, such as John Lewis and M&S.

2)  Fashion Revolution’s ‘Who Made My Clothes?’ social media campaign tries to ask our brands to be transparent about the supply chain

  • How much are the workers along the supply chain paid?
  • Was this produced in a work environment free from all forms of abuse, unhealthy and unsanitary conditions?
  • Do their work hours allow for a good work/life balance?
  • Are the workers there of their own free will?
  • Which type and quality material is being used?
  • Does the dye pollute water?
  • What are the other effects of producing this piece of clothing on the environment?
  • How far has this item travelled along its’ supply chain?
  • Where have each of these materials been sourced from?

3) Sustainability Savvy have come up with 7 Steps to building a More Sustainable Wardrobe

4) Do not succumb to impulse buying – Always ask these 10 questions before you make a purchase

5) Greenpeace’s high-profile campaign “Dirty Laundry,” which has called on some of the largest clothing brands to commit to eliminating hazardous chemicals in their supply chains, has spurred Adidas to begin talks with rivals Nike and Puma (among others) to establish an industry-wide initiative to develop an integrated chemical management program.

6) Clothing labels like M&S, Levis and P&G are encouraging customers to wash at lower temperatures.

7) The recent Fashion Futures project at Britain’s Forum for the Future envisioned what fashion will be like in the year 2025, in conjunction with their call for a more sustainable fashion industry

 

Reading Schools Climate Change Summit 2018

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The annual UN Climate Conference, COP24 is taking place in Katowice, Poland. It started on the 2nd Dec and will finish on the 14th Dec. 190 countries are meeting at COP24 and must get results on action towards all countries’ Paris Agreement targets.

Teams of students from secondary schools across Reading, representing 15 countries from Fiji to USA, met in the Council Chambers on Wednesday 5th December to carry out their own talks on progress towards the Paris Agreement and try to negotiate raising ambition for more action.

Prof. Paul Williams from University of Reading addressed the children and emphasized the realities of global warming and human interference. Councillor Tony Page, lead member for Strategic Environment, said: “Climate change is a subject which young people rightly feel passionate about. The mock conference was opened by the Mayor of Reading, councillor Debs Edwards and children were asked to exchange ideas to tackle this global problem.

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Councillors and Professors at the Summit

What is happening on Climate Change around the world?

On 3rd Dec 2018, Sir David Attenborough said the below at the COP24

“Right now, we are facing a man-made disaster of global scale. Our greatest threat in thousands of years, Climate change. If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.”

The clear messages the students gave for everyone in the Council Chambers were on similar lines too:

  • the immediacy of the effects of climate change for every country in the world, the effects being especially hard-hitting for vulnerable countries
  • the complexity of decision-making and contradictions of policy-making, particularly where economic interests based on fossil fuels, and political reticence are taking precedence
  • the vital part that cooperation between countries can play in increasing momentum by helping to distribute finance, and to learn from great ideas that are already working elsewhere in the world.

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School students discussing Climate Change

What can we do locally about Climate Change?

The second part of the conference brought Local Action into sharp focus. The extent of the commitment to climate action by Local Government was strongly conveyed by Cllr Tony Page in his opening words and Chris Beales, Chair of the Reading Climate Change Partnership. He stressed the part that each individual has to play, and what students in particular can do to help galvanise others.

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Chris Beales at Reading Schools Climate Change Summit 2018

“…schools are really influential parts of our community, if you pass on what you know about climate change to your fellow students, and teachers…and you all pass on to your friends and families…we can reach a lot of people. And this is such an important issue…we need you to pester, and jump up and down about this until we get it sorted.”  – Chris Beales

 

Sustainability experts from Reading Climate Change Partnership, Reading Council’s Sustainability Team and local organisations provided details of great local initiatives and ways for students to make a difference: from energy use in school, growing food, using green space differently through to signing up to a transport initiative or influencing recycling. Each school went away with at least one idea or ‘pledge’ for what they can do, and ICN will follow to make sure that the tools are in place for going about it.

Our huge thanks go to Reading Borough Council for hosting the event and Reading Climate Change Partnership for its support.

Participants and Contributors:

Schools: The Bulmershe School, Highdown School, Kendrick School, Prospect School, Waingels College.

Councillors: The Mayor of Reading Councillor Debs Edwards, Councillor Tony Page, Deputy Leader of the Council

Keynote: Professor Paul D Williams, Professor of Atmospheric Science in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, UK http://www.met.reading.ac.uk/~williams/ 

Workshop contributors: Nature Nurture, Reading Borough Council Sustainability Team, Reading Climate Change Partnership, Reading International Solidarity Centre, Reading 2050, Stuart Singleton-White COnsultant, University of Reading Dept of Environmental Science.

Reading & Caversham Flood Scheme Drop in event on 6th December

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The Environment Agency is investigating options to reduce flood risk in north Reading and Lower Caversham.

Flooding in this area affects homes, businesses, utilities and a number of busy roads for long periods of time. We have been investigating a number of options, most of which include building flood walls and embankments.

The Environment Egency are inviting the residents to come to a drop-in on Thursday 6 December from 2.30pm to 7.30pm

Caversham Baptist Church, South Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8HY

IPCC Special Report 15 – Global warming of 1.5degC

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The IPCC SR15 was released on 8 October 2018 with the strong messages that we have only 12 years to limit global warming to 1.5 degC.

“The report highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5ºC compared to 2ºC, or more. For instance, by 2100, global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower with global warming of 1.5°C compared with 2°C. The likelihood of an Arctic Ocean free of sea ice in summer would be once per century with global warming of 1.5°C, compared with at least once per decade with 2°C. Coral reefs would decline by 70-90 percent with global warming of 1.5°C, whereas virtually all (> 99 percent) would be lost with 2ºC.”IPCC SR15 press release

Consequences

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Figure from the IPCC SR15 Report, page 13

 

Particular concerns for us in Reading, from those issues highlighted, include:

  • Flooding
  • Crop yields – with impacts on food availability / cost
  • Extreme heat – with potential for heat-related deaths
  • Knock on effects from other parts of the world that are exposed to more of highlighted risks

Notice that global temperatures have already risen by 1 degC, and we are already seeing the extreme weather events associated with this level of warming.

Mitigation pathways

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Figure from the IPCC SR15 Report, page 6

 

It is sobering to notice that our current trajectory is to hit 1.5 degC by 2040. It doesn’t have to be that way though, and SR15 details how we can reduce emissions to meet the 1.5 degC target.

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Figure from the IPCC SR15 Report, page 6

 

Reflecting on this graph: there is a massive job that we need to do…not least to fundamentally change the political and economic focus towards tackling this.

  • Happily we have a start with the Zero Carbon Reading work that Reading Borough Council have done
  • There is reason to be optimistic about the UK (see Emissions pages (chrisbeales.net)) if we can regain our focus
  • Whatever happens though we need to get ready to adapt to the changing climate…and the less we do to cut emissions, the harder this is going to be.

 

Chris Beales, RCCP Chair, Oct 2018