Climate Change – Answering Your Questions
Written by author on February 27, 2014
Staff from Dumfries and Galloway Council will be on hand during Climate week to answer any environmental questions you may have. Climate week runs from Monday 3 March – Friday 7 March and during that week, staff from the Council’s sustainable team will be giving expert advice from the former Bakers Oven, 135 – 137 High Street, Dumfries.
There will also be a display of art work from local schools and the Creative Industries faculty of Dumfries and Galloway College showcasing climate change within our region. A range of stands will give you tips and advice on simple changes you can make to save money and reduce your carbon footprint!
At present, scientists estimate a two degree rise in temperature which will see the start of severe weather patterns affecting our region. The key changes will be wetter milder winters as well as hotter, drier summers which will affect agricultural production as well as native plants and animals.
As it stands people are using 25% more natural resources than the planet can replace with the UK consuming three times its share. CO₂ accounts for about 83% of the total UK greenhouse gas emissions however Scotland has reduced its emissions by 29.6% between 1990 and 2011 and has set a world-leading greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 42% by 2020.
Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said
“Climate change is often related to global events and it can be easy to disassociate ourselves from them. The fact is, we are already experiencing severe weather and this winter has been one of the wettest on record. Our Council will take action to help when bad weather strikes, but prevention is better than cure and everyone should do their bit reduce to their carbon footprint and help tackle climate change.”
Iain Hawker, Head of Faculty at Dumfries and Galloway College said
“The College is pleased to be working with the Council’s Sustainable Team to raise awareness of climate change and how it will affect all of us locally. The event will use art work as an alternative approach to make local people think about what we can do in the region to reduce the issues and also stimulate discussion to help us work together to meet the targets.”
