This is the beginning not the end
As we outlined in the Introduction the aim is for this to be the first publication of an on-going annual report. By setting out a clear framework and defining a vision for each area we hope to help engage the wider community to ensure there is a clear understanding of the scale of the problem alongside the options and opportunities to address each issue.
The question now is how we make that happen; how we turn vision into action.
“Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, and vision with action can change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
The question now is how we make that happen; how we turn vision into action.
“Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, and vision with action can change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
What you can do
This is the start of a conversation about what a living in a zero-carbon Dorset could look like. We hope you will join us, engage with the story and help us find more insights and inspiring examples of what individuals, councils, businesses, and schools are doing to transition to a zero-carbon culture.
The Climate and Ecological Crisis can often feel completely over whelming and leave people with a sense that small changes to their day-to-day activities are worthless in the face of the terrible future now unfolding in front of our eyes. Young people, in particular, report this sense of doom and climate anxiety. There is also a feeling that as the crisis is such a huge issue, that only governments and multi-national businesses can make a difference. But, given the scale and urgency of the challenges facing humanity, we need to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at the problems and all of us have a part to play in making this a better place to live for all.
The image in Figure 1 is a useful way to think about how to make change happen – we need to focus on the things we control and see what changes, small and/or big, we can make. Those in positions of power, such as MPs or business leaders, can of course lead change at a greater scale but this does not diminish what we can all do, particularly in holding such individuals to account. We then have the opportunity to influence those we come in to contact with, family, friends, peer groups, etc., and start conversations with them about the crisis and what you and they can do about it.
Most people though are stuck in the sphere of concern, that is they feel their contribution is meaningless and that it is for others to act and so do nothing but worry about the future. We hope that by highlighting all the great work happening on your Dorset doorstep, individuals will see how they can move to the centre ground and take action.
According to Dorset Council’s latest data, each Dorset Resident has an average carbon footprint of 4.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide (4.6 tCO2) which is lower than the UK average of 5.3 (although reasons for this level is unclear and may simply be the application of industrial emissions to the areas in which their sources are based). However, both figures are well below other estimates that include aspects such as flying, other greenhouse gases (e.g. from agriculture) and the emissions created when goods are made for us outside the UK and transported here. These indicate a more accurate UK average is around 12.7 tCO2e. We encourage everyone to look at their own carbon footprint to understand where we can each make changes to our own lifestyles.
The Climate and Ecological Crisis can often feel completely over whelming and leave people with a sense that small changes to their day-to-day activities are worthless in the face of the terrible future now unfolding in front of our eyes. Young people, in particular, report this sense of doom and climate anxiety. There is also a feeling that as the crisis is such a huge issue, that only governments and multi-national businesses can make a difference. But, given the scale and urgency of the challenges facing humanity, we need to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at the problems and all of us have a part to play in making this a better place to live for all.
The image in Figure 1 is a useful way to think about how to make change happen – we need to focus on the things we control and see what changes, small and/or big, we can make. Those in positions of power, such as MPs or business leaders, can of course lead change at a greater scale but this does not diminish what we can all do, particularly in holding such individuals to account. We then have the opportunity to influence those we come in to contact with, family, friends, peer groups, etc., and start conversations with them about the crisis and what you and they can do about it.
Most people though are stuck in the sphere of concern, that is they feel their contribution is meaningless and that it is for others to act and so do nothing but worry about the future. We hope that by highlighting all the great work happening on your Dorset doorstep, individuals will see how they can move to the centre ground and take action.
According to Dorset Council’s latest data, each Dorset Resident has an average carbon footprint of 4.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide (4.6 tCO2) which is lower than the UK average of 5.3 (although reasons for this level is unclear and may simply be the application of industrial emissions to the areas in which their sources are based). However, both figures are well below other estimates that include aspects such as flying, other greenhouse gases (e.g. from agriculture) and the emissions created when goods are made for us outside the UK and transported here. These indicate a more accurate UK average is around 12.7 tCO2e. We encourage everyone to look at their own carbon footprint to understand where we can each make changes to our own lifestyles.
Figure 1. Sphere of Control
Here are some things to consider:
- We hope in one or more of the chapters you will have found something that inspired or motivated you. Why not join one of the groups already working on something or start your own!
- Share this report and use some of the facts in the report to help raise awareness of the issues and solutions with your friends, family and colleagues. Explore the Zero Carbon Britain Resource Hub and details in all our links to find out more.
- Make sure your elected representatives, at every level, know you expect them to act on climate. You can find details for your MP via ‘They Work For You’ and Councillors via ‘Find Your Local Councillors’.
- Sign up for news on all our activity via the link below and join us at one of our events. If you’d like to participate in our Spring 2022 Event (where we’ll provide a platform for those creating change and discuss how to take the ideas in this report forwards) please email us at [email protected]
- Look at your own carbon-footprint using one of the on-line calculators such as the World Wildlife Fund’s or CarbonFootprint.Com. This can help you understand the impacts of your lifestyle choices and you can explore options for solutions in the Consumer Climate Report.
- Take a look at the UN’s Lazy Person’s Guide to saving the World. Following the 4 Rs (refuse, reuse, reduce, recycle) can also help and many of these actions are cost neutral or even save you money, whilst others need a lot of money, such as changing your car for an EV or installing a heat pump. Consider incremental steps; one journey less a week, replace a journey with public transport, have meat free days, go electric where you can etc.
- If you run a business declare a Climate Emergency via Dorset Declares. Dorset Declares is a not-for-profit initiative created by local charitable organisations Sustainable Dorset and Community Alliances, developed to encourage Dorset businesses to declare a climate emergency and provide a platform for positive change. In making a declaration, businesses have access to free tools and resources designed to help them understand their environmental impact, create an action plan to reduce carbon emissions and form part of a growing community of local businesses doing the same. If you’re an employee ask your employer to take this action.
- Check if your pension provider or savings are being used to fund the continued use of fossil fuels. If they are let them know this isn’t acceptable to you and join a campaign to demand they divest these funds as soon as possible.
- Finally, if you know of a case-study we could have used, please send us details via the website or [email protected].
What we can do
As well as arranging events throughout the year, to continue to raise awareness and encourage action, we will be working on filling the key gaps in the current report and collating the data and stories to provide an annual update in early 2023.
Fill in the gaps
In the Introduction we detailed all the ‘dynamics’ we feel need to move to make the changes required (See Figure 2). For this first report we were unable to address adaptation or offsetting.
However, we are already facing the consequences of a changing climate and developing plans for adaptation and building resilience are essential. We will also need to think about them in the same manner we have the other areas, defining a vision, examining the facts and exploring solutions that are effective, just and community led.
Offsetting is more controversial. This is the practice of purchasing a ‘credit’ that will be used to balance the carbon (or other greenhouse gases) your current activities are creating. Typically these are land based (planting trees, rewilding etc.) although they can also be used to provide funding for technology (e.g. finance to install renewable energy). The problem with virtually all solutions is they offer carbon sequestration over many years for the emissions you are creating now. Put simply, a flight from London to New York creates the equivalent of 1.64 tonnes (1,640 kg) of carbon. A typical mature Oak Tree will sequester around 21 kg of carbon a year[2] (less during early growth). So, allowing for the lower sequestration during the early years, and assuming the tree is allowed to grow to maturity, it would be more than 80 years before this single flight was compensated for. In the intervening 79 years your carbon is adding to global warming. Obviously, the number of trees can be increased but if there were 200 people on your flight you already need 200 trees to offset the flight over 80 years!
Fill in the gaps
In the Introduction we detailed all the ‘dynamics’ we feel need to move to make the changes required (See Figure 2). For this first report we were unable to address adaptation or offsetting.
However, we are already facing the consequences of a changing climate and developing plans for adaptation and building resilience are essential. We will also need to think about them in the same manner we have the other areas, defining a vision, examining the facts and exploring solutions that are effective, just and community led.
Offsetting is more controversial. This is the practice of purchasing a ‘credit’ that will be used to balance the carbon (or other greenhouse gases) your current activities are creating. Typically these are land based (planting trees, rewilding etc.) although they can also be used to provide funding for technology (e.g. finance to install renewable energy). The problem with virtually all solutions is they offer carbon sequestration over many years for the emissions you are creating now. Put simply, a flight from London to New York creates the equivalent of 1.64 tonnes (1,640 kg) of carbon. A typical mature Oak Tree will sequester around 21 kg of carbon a year[2] (less during early growth). So, allowing for the lower sequestration during the early years, and assuming the tree is allowed to grow to maturity, it would be more than 80 years before this single flight was compensated for. In the intervening 79 years your carbon is adding to global warming. Obviously, the number of trees can be increased but if there were 200 people on your flight you already need 200 trees to offset the flight over 80 years!
Figure 2. The ZCD Dynamics
Furthermore, many existing schemes have failed to deliver the promised carbon savings and businesses and individuals have used them to justify continuing with business as usual; a ‘green balm’ to make them feel better about their activities without actually changing their behaviour. This is why investing directly in mitigation measures to cut carbon must be the priority, followed by implementing adaptation measures that reduce the risks posed by a changing climate, before going down the offsetting route. However, there is an argument that offsetting is, at the very least, a form of tax on carbon creating activities that could be used to finance solutions. While offsetting does not really make an organisation a ‘carbon neutral’ one, during the transition this is something organisations could be encouraged to do to support local initiatives that might need funding (for example the creation of sea grass plantations).
Update for 2022
Using updated data and information, more case-studies and more research undertaken during the year we aim to provide an update on this report at the end of 2022. This will include a review of Council actions and progress during the year and, subject to appropriate developments, more alignment between our comments and CEE plan assessments.
Update for 2022
Using updated data and information, more case-studies and more research undertaken during the year we aim to provide an update on this report at the end of 2022. This will include a review of Council actions and progress during the year and, subject to appropriate developments, more alignment between our comments and CEE plan assessments.
What we can do together
Throughout the report we’ve highlighted a number of local groups already taking action and, as we explored in the Justice for All chapter (and consider further below), this community-based collaboration is key to building action from the ground up and changing the local situation for the better.
This could be replicated throughout the county, giving local people a platform from which to engage and build community-based action, based on what works for them. It also means giving parish councils and town councils greater power and encouraging people to engage in democracy at the local scale, as happened with the Flatpack Democracy movement in Frome, Somerset. There are a number of models used by local groups to create a space where individuals can come together to share concerns, educate themselves and begin to take the actions required locally; specific groups such as Dorset Climate Action Network, (DCAN), Planet Purbeck, Planet Shaftesbury and Planet Wimborne, as well as Transition Towns, Climate Cafes, Climate Clubs, Climate Emergency Centres and many other organisations. Most operate a version of this approach. To be truly effective we need to build these at hyper-local level. So why not try something in your neighbourhood? We can use our network and contacts to help you facilitate this and find ways we can all work together. Once established, working with town and parish councils, these clubs and centers could be the catalyst for introducing a scheme to examine the climate readiness of our immediate area.
In 2018, the Climate Reality Project Canada developed an annual National Climate League, based on fifteen primary and fifteen complementary indicators, such as air quality, renewable energy generation and use of public transport, to represent living a better and more sustainable life across 23 city hubs. The indicators were chosen based on accessibility, comparability across cities, the ability of municipal governments to act, their impact on GHG emissions, and whether the average citizen cares about that particular indicator improving. The NCL is an exercise in participative democracy, highlighting local solutions that help improve the lives of everyday Canadians and sets Canadian municipalities on a path to carbon neutrality. Cooperation and coordination across a geographical area, such as Dorset, could help to both raise awareness and spur the actions required in each locality.
This could be replicated throughout the county, giving local people a platform from which to engage and build community-based action, based on what works for them. It also means giving parish councils and town councils greater power and encouraging people to engage in democracy at the local scale, as happened with the Flatpack Democracy movement in Frome, Somerset. There are a number of models used by local groups to create a space where individuals can come together to share concerns, educate themselves and begin to take the actions required locally; specific groups such as Dorset Climate Action Network, (DCAN), Planet Purbeck, Planet Shaftesbury and Planet Wimborne, as well as Transition Towns, Climate Cafes, Climate Clubs, Climate Emergency Centres and many other organisations. Most operate a version of this approach. To be truly effective we need to build these at hyper-local level. So why not try something in your neighbourhood? We can use our network and contacts to help you facilitate this and find ways we can all work together. Once established, working with town and parish councils, these clubs and centers could be the catalyst for introducing a scheme to examine the climate readiness of our immediate area.
In 2018, the Climate Reality Project Canada developed an annual National Climate League, based on fifteen primary and fifteen complementary indicators, such as air quality, renewable energy generation and use of public transport, to represent living a better and more sustainable life across 23 city hubs. The indicators were chosen based on accessibility, comparability across cities, the ability of municipal governments to act, their impact on GHG emissions, and whether the average citizen cares about that particular indicator improving. The NCL is an exercise in participative democracy, highlighting local solutions that help improve the lives of everyday Canadians and sets Canadian municipalities on a path to carbon neutrality. Cooperation and coordination across a geographical area, such as Dorset, could help to both raise awareness and spur the actions required in each locality.
What we need now
Many contributors to this report have referenced two prominent moments in British history as examples of the call to action needed to face this, humanity’s greatest ever crisis.
We are well placed to address this crisis if we call on the examples, leadership and attitudes that enabled us to face the challenges of the 1940’s and adapt them for the global emergency we now face.
The climate and ecological crises we face can be overwhelming, creating a sense that individuals can do little to solve it. Throughout this report our aim has been to clearly set out why this is a real emergency while also highlighting that we already have the necessary solutions and, by sharing more than 120 positive case studies from across the county, demonstrate how many of these are already being deployed. We now need to scale these at pace to avert the worst of the crisis.
We have also shown how by abandoning business-as-usual and building a new way of doing things we can create a healthier, happier and more inclusive society for all; centred around a circular, green economy with well-paid, skilled jobs. We hope our vision statements provide an idea of what this might look like and invite everyone to join the conversation to enhance these and bring them to life.
We hope the report inspires everyone to do something, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem; we hope many will join us on this journey by taking collective action with others in your community.
We’ll continue to monitor progress and collate positive stories and look forward to continuing the conversation and championing a vision for Dorset 2030.
“You may never know what results come from your actions. But if you take no action, there will be no results.” - Mahatma Gandhi
- In the early 1940’s Britain stood alone. The whole economy was turned over in a matter of months to produce the goods and services that would ensure our shores were protected and our people fed. The scale of industrial output to meet this demand and the focus of communities on what mattered was unprecedented. Without this we would not have achieved victory.
- In the late 1940’s a war-ravaged nation stood weakened and heavily indebted. Where the fundamentals of the economy could not be left to the market, the state intervened, where infrastructure was required, it was developed. Despite these challenges we embarked on a programme to house everyone, built the NHS and created a post-war consensus that brought everyone together with a sense that society mattered and we work best when we work together for each other.
We are well placed to address this crisis if we call on the examples, leadership and attitudes that enabled us to face the challenges of the 1940’s and adapt them for the global emergency we now face.
The climate and ecological crises we face can be overwhelming, creating a sense that individuals can do little to solve it. Throughout this report our aim has been to clearly set out why this is a real emergency while also highlighting that we already have the necessary solutions and, by sharing more than 120 positive case studies from across the county, demonstrate how many of these are already being deployed. We now need to scale these at pace to avert the worst of the crisis.
We have also shown how by abandoning business-as-usual and building a new way of doing things we can create a healthier, happier and more inclusive society for all; centred around a circular, green economy with well-paid, skilled jobs. We hope our vision statements provide an idea of what this might look like and invite everyone to join the conversation to enhance these and bring them to life.
We hope the report inspires everyone to do something, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem; we hope many will join us on this journey by taking collective action with others in your community.
We’ll continue to monitor progress and collate positive stories and look forward to continuing the conversation and championing a vision for Dorset 2030.
“You may never know what results come from your actions. But if you take no action, there will be no results.” - Mahatma Gandhi