Background
Both Dorset and Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch (BCP) Councils declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019. These declarations are based on the scientific evidence that we have around a decade to take the required action to prevent greenhouse gas emissions exceeding levels which scientists agree will lead to irreversible and catastrophic climate change.
Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [1] have identified that the consequences of allowing temperatures to rise by 2 degrees, rather than the 1.5 degree ambition set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, are stark; extreme weather events, rising sea levels, disruption to food supplies and potential societal instability, directly affecting 100’s of millions more people than at 1.5 degrees and indirectly threatening the whole of humanity. Continuing emissions at business-as-usual levels threatens our very existence. With emissions due to exceed the maximum levels required to keep below a rise of 1.5 in the next few years and the limits to obtain a higher that 50% chance of staying within 2 degrees due to be exceeded within 10/11 years we must act now.
Aligned with this we are witnessing an ecological catastrophe where extinction rates are up to 1000 times the underlying natural rate [2] and the very ecosystem that supports human life is under threat.
[1] IPCC Report (2018) https://report.ipcc.ch/sr15/pdf/sr15_spm_final.pdf (2019) https://www.ipcc.ch/report/srccl/ [2] https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.12380
Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [1] have identified that the consequences of allowing temperatures to rise by 2 degrees, rather than the 1.5 degree ambition set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, are stark; extreme weather events, rising sea levels, disruption to food supplies and potential societal instability, directly affecting 100’s of millions more people than at 1.5 degrees and indirectly threatening the whole of humanity. Continuing emissions at business-as-usual levels threatens our very existence. With emissions due to exceed the maximum levels required to keep below a rise of 1.5 in the next few years and the limits to obtain a higher that 50% chance of staying within 2 degrees due to be exceeded within 10/11 years we must act now.
Aligned with this we are witnessing an ecological catastrophe where extinction rates are up to 1000 times the underlying natural rate [2] and the very ecosystem that supports human life is under threat.
[1] IPCC Report (2018) https://report.ipcc.ch/sr15/pdf/sr15_spm_final.pdf (2019) https://www.ipcc.ch/report/srccl/ [2] https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.12380
The Project
Zero Carbon Dorset seeks to set out what we need to do in Dorset to address the climate emergency while ensuring the actions proposed do not further damage our sensitive ecology and, ideally, seeks to find solutions that are mutually regenerative. Furthermore it will aim to show how this could lead to a better quality of life for many people while ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind. Climate solutions can, and must, also address the inequalities and injustices that already exist in our society.
This will be developed working with individuals and organisations from the wider community including academia, local government and other public bodies, businesses and campaigning and activist organisations. The project will provide the data and template but ultimately our communities will define the vision.
This will be developed working with individuals and organisations from the wider community including academia, local government and other public bodies, businesses and campaigning and activist organisations. The project will provide the data and template but ultimately our communities will define the vision.
What do we mean by a vision?
The project aims to help show what exactly a zero carbon county would look and feel like to live in. Looking at numbers and narratives, specifically for Dorset. Climate Activist Xiye Bastida shares her vision below - how does this compare to yours?
Events
Included in the project plan is a series of events focused on each of the dynamics (see below) and other relevant subjects.
The launch event was held on March 20th, 2020 in association with Bournemouth University. Full details of this event are available here. Information on previous and future events can be found via the links below.
You can sign-up to receive information on future events via this link.
The launch event was held on March 20th, 2020 in association with Bournemouth University. Full details of this event are available here. Information on previous and future events can be found via the links below.
You can sign-up to receive information on future events via this link.
Approach
The project approach and reports will be based on 10 'dynamics' shown below and detailed here.
A qualitative assessment can be made of all of these while the tangible dynamics (shown in green) can be measured in terms of emissions and used to build a zero carbon 'balance sheet'.
Why Dorset?
The main reason for making this a Dorset wide project rather than, say 'Poole & Bournemouth', is the unique opportunity the County of Dorset presents; an area with the second largest connurbation in the South West of England, a diverse landscape (with signficant agricultural activity and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and a coast! It is difficult to think of many other areas which offer all the aspects that need to be considered when looking at addressing the climate crisis in the UK.
What next?
The current focus is on gathering the initial data and information to create the first draft report to be developed during 2020.
For each of the areas shown above this involves looking at;
If you would like to input to or support the development of one of the areas please get in touch via the contact box below.
Scheduled events are published here
For each of the areas shown above this involves looking at;
- What is the current scenario - do we have the data?
- What would a net zero scenario look like - can we disagregate the details from local or national data?
- What's already going on - are the projects or initiatives that are already in place that can be shared and replicated across the county?
If you would like to input to or support the development of one of the areas please get in touch via the contact box below.
Scheduled events are published here
Keep in touch
Sign up for occasional newsletters and information on forthcoming events via this link
