Defining a Vision for 2030
From a climate perspective, land use accounts for around a quarter of all GHG emissions globally, predominantly through industrial-scale agriculture (particularly meat and dairy) and deforestation (often to clear space for cattle or cash crops). In terms of wider environmental breakdown, the way we are using our land is at the core of the problem. Through increasing encroachment of human activity on natural environments, the disruption of natural cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water and others) and the loss of biodiversity we are rapidly approaching the limits of what our planet can sustain. The UK is not immune to this.
While there is a growing recognition of several high-profile issues (single-use plastic, building on flood plains, destruction of the Amazon), the way ‘business-as-usual’ is devastating our planet remains largely unseen. We remain disconnected from both nature and our food systems. As nature-based solutions will need to sequester carbon at a rate greater than we produce it (for at least the next 100 years), and as we need to feed 7 billion plus people, reconnecting and truly understanding the value of our land and sea, are central to our very survival. The role of the sea is also included in this chapter as the health of our oceans is critical to both addressing climate change and sustaining life in general.
In 2030…
Across Dorset the value of our land and sea is understood and recognised by all, including how it plays an important part in the physical and mental health benefits of residents and visitors. Through programmes of regeneration, reforestation, rewilding and reconnecting, everyone can witness how nature is recovering, biodiversity increasing and food systems improving. The way we use our land is consistent with the model set out in the Zero Carbon Britain reports. All Dorset rivers are in a good ecological condition.
Through awareness raising and education there is no longer a disconnect between town and country; our food chains are transparent, and much more of our food is produced locally. Within urban areas, common land is extensively used for community gardens, carbon management or biodiversity improvement. Market gardens are flourishing. Abandoned land has been brought into one or more of the above programmes. The farming community has been supported to make the necessary changes to practices and land use. The decline in species has been halted.
Areas of the county have been identified and used for rewilding. Nature-based solutions are widely employed. Regeneration extends beyond the coastline, with marine protection zones and extensive seagrass restoration off the Purbeck and West Dorset coasts.
While there is a growing recognition of several high-profile issues (single-use plastic, building on flood plains, destruction of the Amazon), the way ‘business-as-usual’ is devastating our planet remains largely unseen. We remain disconnected from both nature and our food systems. As nature-based solutions will need to sequester carbon at a rate greater than we produce it (for at least the next 100 years), and as we need to feed 7 billion plus people, reconnecting and truly understanding the value of our land and sea, are central to our very survival. The role of the sea is also included in this chapter as the health of our oceans is critical to both addressing climate change and sustaining life in general.
In 2030…
Across Dorset the value of our land and sea is understood and recognised by all, including how it plays an important part in the physical and mental health benefits of residents and visitors. Through programmes of regeneration, reforestation, rewilding and reconnecting, everyone can witness how nature is recovering, biodiversity increasing and food systems improving. The way we use our land is consistent with the model set out in the Zero Carbon Britain reports. All Dorset rivers are in a good ecological condition.
Through awareness raising and education there is no longer a disconnect between town and country; our food chains are transparent, and much more of our food is produced locally. Within urban areas, common land is extensively used for community gardens, carbon management or biodiversity improvement. Market gardens are flourishing. Abandoned land has been brought into one or more of the above programmes. The farming community has been supported to make the necessary changes to practices and land use. The decline in species has been halted.
Areas of the county have been identified and used for rewilding. Nature-based solutions are widely employed. Regeneration extends beyond the coastline, with marine protection zones and extensive seagrass restoration off the Purbeck and West Dorset coasts.