Climate Change
What Is Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Some shifts can be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Greenhouse gas concentrations are at their highest levels in 2 million years. And emissions continue to rise. As a result, the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate.
People are experiencing climate change in diverse ways. Climate change can affect our health, ability to grow food, and water supply, as well as increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters. In Doncaster, recent examples of intense weather patterns include flooding, heatwaves and wildfires.
By working towards reducing emissions and transitioning to a greener, cleaner, economy we can minimise the impacts of climate change.
What Do We Mean by Tackling Climate Change?
When we talk about tackling climate change we are talking about:
- Reducing the number of greenhouse gases we are releasing into the atmosphere.
- Protecting nature from the impacts of climate change and helping it thrive in a changing world.
- Being prepared for the impacts that climate change will have on our lives.
- Adapting to the impacts that we are already seeing.
We can all contribute to tackling climate change by making changes:
- Individuals: By making small lifestyle changes such as energy consumption and travel.
- Workplaces: By reporting and reducing emissions and incorporating sustainable practices.
- Communities: Through group action like planting trees and minimising waste.
- Doncaster City: With green spaces, education, public transport, and public emissions.
- UK: Through robust climate policy, investment in green energy and a real commitment to net zero targets.
By working together, Doncaster can play its part in tackling climate change. Every individual, every family and every organisation can make a difference.
What Are City of Doncaster Council Doing?
In 2019, Doncaster Council declared a climate emergency. In 2020, we commissioned the development and adoption of our Environment & Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030 which sets out 111 actions that we aim to take to reduce Doncaster’s emissions, including our own, and do our part in helping the UK meet its legal binding target of reaching Net Zero by 2050 and keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
What we’re doing right now:
- Installing electric car charging infrastructure utilising Government Funding
- Assisting in the development of clean energy generation in Doncaster
- Deploying energy-saving measures to hundreds of homes across Doncaster
- Carrying out tree-planting initiatives to help reach Doncaster's Million Trees Challenge
- Enhancing the quality of allotment environment, increasing plot usage, and promoting allotments as part of healthy lifestyle and community resource
- Delivering Carbon Literacy training, climate education, behaviour change, and community engagement and support programmes.
- Leading on Climate Action Week.
- Facilitating community action through the Environmental Pride programme.
Still Looking To Learn More?
If you’re eager to learn more check out the links below and if you would like to keep in the loop with what we’re doing along with tips on what you can do to help, then sign up for our Green Team Newsletter.