Environmental charter can be first step toward more sustainable living

Anyone who has witnessed the wind getting up prior to a storm must appreciate the raw power of nature.

View the sea, a millpond of calm one day, the next a raging mass of destructive energy.

The human being is supposed to be the most intelligent creature on earth, yet has developed an arrogance that means it believes nature can be subdued.

Natural disasters, which seem to be becoming ever more commonplace, should remind all that we are  subject to a greater force.

It is the arrogance of the human being that has in large part led to man-made climate change. A refusal to live at one, respecting nature, in the way so many civilisations have done stretching back in time.

Instead, the mode of development of human being over the past 50 to 100 years has seen humankind take on the role of God.

The continuing damage caused by climate change is testimony as to just how wrong headed this attitude is.

So in order to tackle climate change seriously, there needs to be a realignment of human beings relationship with the planet. The need to recognise that humans remain but one part of the ecological jigsaw, not the dominant force.

Climate change has gone so far now that drastic action is needed. It is no good making tokenistic gestures toward living a more sustainable life.

There is a need for fundamental change.

The revelations of the damage being done by plastics has provided a real wake up call. The urgency of the situation has also spurred some dramatic action. People are looking to cut plastic out of their lives. So the mindset seems to be moving from I can use plastic, as long as I recycle it to I must not use plastic at all.

This type of approach needs to be taken up in the wider battle against climate change. People need to get back to living a simpler way of life that is not so destructive of the planet. This means stopping using fossil fuels, moving to renewable energy sources.

More trees need to be planted to restore our woodlands and cut the carbon dioxide levels.

There needs to be a drastic reduction in the use of damaging modes of transport to get around.

The Mayor of London has set a target of 80% of journeys being by foot, cycle or public transport by 2041. He wants to see London’s transport emissions down to zero by 2051.

Electric cars and other non-emission creating technologies can help contribute to such a goal, as ofcourse can better pedestrian and cycling networks.

Londoners could also adopt the LOAF (Local Organic Animal Friendly) principles regarding what they consume.  

Wanstead councillors are committed to creating an environmental charter for our area. This would seek to create the first part of a framework for living a more sustainable earth friendly life. Wanstead is already a green area but more can be done, particularly to address issues like pollution and emissions.

On Thursday 25 October, there will be a public meeting at Wanstead Library, when people will have the chance to hear some of the ideas for an environmental charter, as well as why we need to act now to address the ongoing environmental destruction. Speakers will include Shirley Rodrigues, London’s deputy mayor for the environment and energy, John Howard, Redbridge Council cabinet member for Civic Pride, Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer, Samantha Mason, author of Just Transition and Energy Democracy, Susie Knox from Wild Wanstead and myself. All are welcome to contribute to this vital debate and help shape the new environmental charter.  

published in Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - 10/10/2018 - "Plastics revolution gives us hope for the future"
12/10/2018 "Use your LOAF  to make your area a greener place" – published online

18/10/2018 "Environmental charter plans" - published in Ilford and Wanstead and Woodford Recorder