A series of environmental activities are being held in Nidderdale as part of the Great Big Green Week, which runs from June 10 to 18.
The green week, which first started in 2021, encourages community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Organised by the Climate Coalition, which includes organisations including the National Trust, WWF-UK and the RSPB, it sees tens of thousands of people take part in events ranging from litter picks to seaweed foraging to tackle climate change.
The activities in Nidderdale include a low impact lunch at Summerbridge Methodist Church, a biodiversity walk and talk at Bank Woods in Summerbridge, a community litter pick in Glasshouses
Make It Wild, Church in the Dale, Nidderdale Climate and Environment Group are among those organising the local events.
Details of these and other events being held during the green week are available here.
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Survey shows rising concern about climate change in Harrogate
A survey by the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition has revealed that over 80 percent of residents believe we need to take immediate action to tackle climate change.
The survey was opened to the public in February and had more than 800 responses from residents and local businesses.
Over half of respondents said that they are more concerned about climate change now than they were a year ago.
The coalition is made up of local environmental groups, businesses and Harrogate Borough councillors and said it was already acting on the survey’s findings.
Councillor Phil Ireland, cabinet member for Carbon Reduction and Sustainability within the Harrogate Borough Council, said;
“Even before the survey results came out, Harrogate Borough Council was committed to reviewing our current Carbon Reduction Plan and ensuring it will put council operations and the district on track to reach net zero emissions by 2038. This cross-cutting data-driven approach is currently being updated by officers and will be published later in the year.”
The survey comes after the coalition was criticised in the past year for not doing enough. There were several high profile resignations including Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrat Leader Pat Marsh who said the coalition had been “plagued by inaction”.
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The survey asked what would encourage people to reduce their own carbon footprint, the most popular answers were cheaper rail fares and more regular public transport. Over 80 percent also believed that the UK government has had the most influence for limiting action on climate change, more so than individuals or other factors.
The survey was entirely anonymous. One resident wrote;
“Every year I see more extremes in weather and I live in the countryside so understand how this is impacting wildlife and the ability of the farming community to carry out its work.”
When asked what the main benefits of tackling climate change would be, the most popular answers were better air quality and preservation of the natural landscape.
Since the survey, the coalition has announced it will be running a Climate Action Festival in October of this year aimed at giving residents and businesses tips towards reducing carbon emissions. It is encouraging people who have views on the issue to sign up to speak at the event.
Harrogate coalition seeking views on tackling climate change
The Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition (HDCCC) has launched a residents’ survey that asks for views on reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
The survey, which is available here until March 28, asks questions about people’s lifestyles to learn more about how actions impact on the local environment.
HDCCC was set up by Harrogate Borough Council over a year ago with the aim of bringing together local government, green groups and business.
‘All of mankind’
Conservative councillor and HDCCC committee chair Paul Haslam told the Stray Ferret that “it’s vital that people make their voice heard” on climate change.
He said:
“It’s a serious issue facing all of mankind. This is about making a difference locally to our environment, quality of air, reduction in carbon emissions and contributing to the global situation.”
HDCCC chair of communications Kirsty Hallett said a high number of responses to the survey will help inform local action on climate change.
She added:
“This will help the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition to provide information which will be genuinely useful. It will also help local residents and businesses to understand the choices we all need to make in order to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero.”
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Concern over the environment is arguably at its highest point ever in Harrogate following Harrogate Spring Water’s controversial application for its bottling plant into Rotary Wood, which was rejected by councillors last month.
HDCCC issued a “neutral” response to the proposals, whilst highlighting the importance of trees in mitigating climate change locally.
Since HDCCC was formed it has not been without criticism. HBC called it a “great leap forward” for the environment but members have criticised it for being little more than a “talking shop”.
HDCCC has four subgroups, which meet several times a year to discuss issues such as sustainable transport, tree planting, renewable energy, recycling and communications.