Meeting Report-Cchne 27nov2015
Meeting Report-Cchne 27nov2015
Meeting Report-Cchne 27nov2015
Meeting Report
16.3
Acknowledgements
Thank you very much to the sponsor, chairs, speakers, organisers, photographer, assistants
and delegates.
Sponsor
DONG Energy
Chairs
Honourable Bernard Jenkin, Member of Parliament (MP) for Harwich and North Essex
Professor Jules Pretty OBE FRSB FRSA, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor of Environment and
Society, University of Essex
Speakers
Professor Jules Pretty OBE FRSB FRSA, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor of Environment and
Society, University of Essex
Darren Tansley, Water for Wildlife Officer, Essex Wildlife Trust
David Kemp, Coastal Partnerships and Strategic Overview Team Leader, Essex, Norfolk and
Suffolk, Environment Agency
Peter Chisnall, Energy and Environmental Engineer
Organisers
Jill Bruce, Angela Martin, Shirley Green, Diane Bradford
Photographer
Chris Farndell
This meeting was organised by Chappel and Wakes Colne Womens Institute (WI)
and was made possible by
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Summary
The meeting, held on 27th November 2015 at Wivenhoe House Hotel, was organised to
highlight the current and expected impacts of climate change in Harwich and North Essex,
and engage local members of the public and their political representative in discussions about
the potential solutions to help mitigate and adapt to those changes. It provided an
opportunity for Honourable Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich and North Essex, and the public
audience to engage with each other and with experts on local climate change impacts,
including on wildlife, flooding, sea level rise and homes. There were 63 attendees in total, 44
of whom were constituents of Harwich and North Essex, including the four organisers.
In a panel session chaired by Hon. Bernard Jenkin, four experts presented current and
expected local impacts of climate change, and provided a range of solutions and mitigation
options that are readily available for implementation now. This was followed by a session
during which the public audience voted on preferred local responses to climate change,
including actions they would most like to see taken by Hon. Bernard Jenkin, MP. The audience
voting session was held in the absence of Hon. Bernard Jenkin, MP, and was chaired by
Professor Jules Pretty OBE FRSB FRSA, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor of Environment and
Society, University of Essex.
Attendees were members of the public who had been made aware of the meeting via one or
more of the following methods: advertisements in local papers and magazines; posters in
local supermarkets, libraries, churches and village halls; flyers in Colchester High Street;
emails and online advertising via local networks (U3A, WI, The Conservation Volunteers); or
direct invite (local businesses, farmers, town councillors and mayor offices).
Prior to the meeting, an online questionnaire was used to gauge public interest, knowledge
and attitudes regarding climate change, including its causes, expected local impacts and
preferred action at local, national and international levels. The results of the survey, which
was completed by 136 participants, were presented by Hon. Bernard Jenkin at the start of the
meeting.
The audience ask questions for the panel, chaired by Hon. Bernard Jenkin.
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This report has been written by Angela Martin and Jill Bruce, and is laid out by topic in the
order discussed at the meeting.
Expert speaker sessions are split into three sections, as follows:
A. Session Facts and Options a summary of the facts and options presented at the
meeting on 27th November 2015 by the speaker. For full notes and presentation slides,
see Appendix 2.
B. Panel Discussion and Questions from the Audience questions raised by the audience,
responses and comments from the panel of speakers.
C. Audience Vote: Priorities and Preferred Actions results of an anonymous audience
vote on preferences based on the information presented in the session. For full survey
results, see Appendix 3.
Appendices are available online at www.essexclimate.weebly.com.
Meeting Chairs, Speakers, Funder and Organisers, from L-R: Shirley Green (WI), Diane Bradford (WI),
David Kemp (Environment Agency), Hon. Bernard Jenkin (MP for Harwich and North Essex), Emily
Woolfenden (DONG Energy), Prof. Jules Pretty (University of Essex), Angela Martin (Organiser), Darren
Tansley (Essex Wildlife Trust), Jill Bruce(WI), Peter Chisnall (Energy and Environmental Engineer).
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Contents
Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................... 2
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 23
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I am a constituent of
80%
I am
72%
60%
Female 50%
37%
40%
40%
Other
63%
70%
Male
28%
30%
20%
20%
10%
0%
Under 16 years
16-24 years
25-34 years
35-44 years
45-54 years
55-64 years
Over 64 years
0%
I am aged
60%
48%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
10%
0%
9%
14%
17%
2%
0%
Of the 136 respondents, 15% were aware that scientific research shows the current rate of
climate change is entirely caused by human activity. The vast majority (79%) believed climate
change was partly caused by natural processes and partly caused by human activity, while a
few people thought that climate change was entirely caused by natural processes (4%). When
asked to select up to three of nine possible effects of climate change on the UK that
respondents were most worried about, in total five impacts were selected by 79% of
respondents: loss of UK wildlife; the challenges for future generations; flooding; sea level rise;
and food and water shortages. The two most pressing concerns identified were loss of UK
wildlife and the challenges for future generations.
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79%
80%
60%
40%
15%
20%
Dont know
4%
2%
0%
23%
21%
20%
15%
13% 12%
10%
10%
5%
7 / 23
8 / 23
Global economies have developed and, since company profit (and marketing budget) is linked
to demand, successful global businesses encourage a throw-away culture. Globalisation of
economies have driven up greenhouse gas emissions to current levels in a world dependent
on fossil fuels, with increasingly intensive farming practices, environmentally damaging
resource extraction, consumer demand for quick deliveries (a symptom of the throw-away
culture), and a rapidly expanding consumer-base.
Compared to the 1950s, people in the UK spend more money now, but their happiness hasnt
increased. Spending power therefore doesnt equate to happiness. Research shows some
remarkably simple behaviours increase happiness, including being active, spending time
outside and talking to people. Thus, encouraging non-consumptive patterns of socially and
physically active behaviour may be key to both improving public happiness in Essex and
reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
The UK, the 5th largest economy in the world, is slightly greener than the average country in
terms of CO2 emissions per GDP, however there is room for improvement. On average,
personal needs equate to one tonne CO2 emissions per year. The actual average global use is
four tonnes CO2 emissions per person. Actual average UK use is eight tonnes CO2 emissions
per person. The UK initially led other countries in acting on climate change by introducing the
Climate Change Act of 2008, a legally binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.
There is a clear opportunity for the UK to transition to low carbon lifestyles through
psychological and behavioural changes to our current consumptive culture. ENOUGHNESS as
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a concept suggests that, as a developed economy, the UK could recognise a level after which
GDP no longer improves the populations happiness, and is therefore counter-productive to
pursue, not least due to greenhouse gas emissions and at the cost of a healthy climate. In the
UK, we could reduce consumptive behaviours after this point, with the Government working
to encourage the population to seek physical, social and environmental stimulation. Overall,
this is a key opportunity for global leadership: with this information, the UK Government
can help us to reduce individual carbon emissions and improve national happiness.
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priority for economic and energy policies, not a luxury. How can we galvanise the
Government into action?
Response: Civil movements are needed to ensure that public and members of parliament alike
are informed on this topic, and to show the Government that this is a priority for the
electorate. For example, the WI arranging this meeting.
Hon. Bernard Jenkin added that while climate change motivations may seem to appeal to the
meeting audience, the wider public will only accept actions that are in their own economic
interest.
Audience Question 3: Where is the local leadership for renewable energy production? And
as a Teacher at St. Mary School, why arent local councils working with schools, and
providing input on this topic?
Response from Audience Member: Wendy, Colchester Borough Council: Colchesters green
strategy in top 10% of UK Councils. On working with schools, while Essex county council
have limited engagement activities, both county and local council budgets have been
reduced, and there is now a lack of engagement with young people.
Audience Question 4: Although still a fossil fuel, there has been some mention of coal
gasification; is that cleaner than traditional coal burning?
Response: When comparing gasification to other fossil fuels, the return on investment is not
worthwhile, both in terms of carbon emissions and finance. On all counts, it is better to
transition away from fossil fuels.
Audience Comment: Malcolm, Emeritus Professor, noted that use of the word renewable
to describe safe energy options is wrong. Decision makers should focus on green
energies, such as solar, wind, wave instead. For example, methane is twenty times more
damaging as a greenhouse gas than CO2, yet the renewable energy generated by
processing waste food releases methane. Not only source of methane, as natural reserves
are expected to release more methane as global average temperature increases, including
vast undersea methane reserves.
Audience Question 5: If overconsumption is a linked to human psyche, then shouldnt it have
psychological and moral solutions?
Response: Yes, it should be addressed from a psychological and social angle. Great point.
Audience Question 6: A main concern is leaving a mess for children, could there be more
education on consumption and climate change at the infant level, to ensure future
generations are environmentally well-informed?
Response: Curriculum change would be a welcome move, to include understanding of
consumption: where materials come from and the impacts of their harvest.
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12%
3%
Do nothing
10%
2%
0%
27%
8%
7%
2%
0%
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Audience Question 2: Is channelling flood waters a viable option to manage risk areas?
Response: A far better solution is to prevent the flood than try to channel the water away
afterward. For example, meanders through rivers allow water to flow at a greater volume yet
without disrupting the habitats of wildlife or eroding the soils essential for agriculture.
Flood barriers
66%
40%
20%
Do nothing
27%
2% 5%
0%
0%
32%
35%
30%
25%
23%
23%
20%
15%
11%
9%
10%
5%
1%
1%
0%
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35%
32% 33%
0%
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Jaywick in the 1953 flood, cut off by rainfall and the North Sea. With predicted changes, a
flood on this level will occur every 2-3 years.
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36%
28%
25%
11%
0%
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43%
Learn from other areas with similar topography & climate 45%
40%
35%
35%
30%
25%
20%
17%
15%
10%
5%
3%
2%
0%
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61%
Learn from other areas with similar topography & climate 60%
Retrofit existing buildings
Improve building design & construction of new builds &
renovation
All of the above
Do Nothing
50%
40%
25%
30%
20%
10%
12%
0%
2%
0%
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7. Action Points
A clear communication from the Government on the causes and impacts of climate change,
and options for mitigation and adaptation would go a long way toward educating the public
and removing some of the confusion on this topic. The information available for public
consumption has many forms, as is evident in mainstream media and on the internet. Much
of the information that downplays the role of human activities or casts doubt over the
expected impacts is intentionally funded by corporate interest groups, and inadvertently
promoted by commenters who dont fully grasp or understand the concept, or those who
deny the science for other reasons, such as religion. An enormous body of scientific work
shows that human activities are the main drivers of climate change, that the impacts for
humanity will be severe, and that the earlier direct action is taken to limit emissions, the less
the cost, in terms of finance, economy, environment and human health. This work is
published in scientific journals, which is not in a format that most people can readily access
or understand. For the last thirty years, where this science has been promoted by mainstream
media, the opposite view had almost equal representation, again misleading the public on
the status of the science.
The meeting, having been organised by constituents, publicised on a shoe-string budget and
held on a weekday, was well attended by over 60 concerned members of the public. The
meeting showed the strength of feeling about climate change in the constituency. The
audience would like to see strong international co-operation, such as ratification of the Paris
Agreement: over 80% of attendees thought that the UK Government should be encouraging
other countries to commit to global solutions. The constituents noted that the UK
Government should consider long term consequences of their decisions, and prioritise
minimising climate change above the supply and price of energy. A key moment to implement
these changes for long term gains is in the consideration and approval of new housing
developments, as well as promotion of retrofit of technologies for existing housing stock.
The climate change challenge is occurring amidst a culture of consumption, which not only
drives climate change through fossil-fuelled global transport of goods, but also does not lead
to consumer happiness. Instead, evidence shows that happiness is achieved by being active,
spending time outside and being social. The Government have an opportunity to reduce the
impacts of climate change and increase the happiness of the population by promoting a
culture of outdoor and social activity. Locally, this might include providing green spaces and
social infrastructure in any new building developments.
In Essex, sun and wind provide an opportunity to a decarbonised economy through green
energy, with the additional benefit of first-movers advantage. First-movers advantage would
include long-term, secure energy supply at a good price, as well as development of specialist
technical installation and maintenance knowledge, demand for which is likely to increase
nationally and globally. Essex could act on this by incorporating provisions for green energy
as a pre-requisite for approving new building developments.
Essex wildlife is already suffering the effects of climate change. To ensure the best chance of
survival, the habitats and behaviours of wildlife need to be considered when building new
homes and developing infrastructure. Recommended action includes re-meandering rivers to
cope with higher water levels in periods of intense rainfall, and retention of some of the water
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in reservoirs for periods of prolonged drought. These considerations will also benefit local
human populations through reduced impact of flooding on properties and roads, and secure
supplies of water for times of drought. Finally, allowing for wildlife corridors in new building
developments will enable movement of wildlife to more suitable habitats in response to
changing climate.
Considering the increased flood risk in Essex from higher intensity and more frequent rainfall
and sea level rise associated with climate change, and the additional threat from the tilt of
the continental plate, new housing developments should not be built in flood plains. New
developments should be regulated to minimise their contribution to further climate change.
All new housing developments in the Harwich and North Essex constituency should be built
using the passive house technology. This not only reduces household energy needs by 80%
and cuts energy waste, but also reduces energy bills and thus alleviates fuel poverty, which is
prevalent in the constituency, notably so in the Tendring region.
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8. Conclusions
Constituents of Harwich and North Essex, as well as neighbouring constituencies, are
concerned about the impacts of climate change. The information available in the public
domain allows for confusion on the issue of climate change, its causes and solutions. Despite
this confusion, constituents want to see local and national Government take a long-term view
and prioritise action for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and would like
Government action on climate change to be more visible, particularly in local media.
Constituents of Harwich and North Essex are keen to see application of existing knowledge
and green technology, as outlined in the meeting. These applications include addressing
emissions through unnecessary consumption by providing opportunities for outdoor and
social activities in any new building developments; promoting green-energy and related
industry in the region by including obligations for green energy supply to new building
developments; reducing household emissions and energy waste through regulations that
include passive house technology in new building developments, as well as encouraging retrofit of existing housing stock; better managing water in new building developments to limit soil
loss and provide for times of drought, both for people and wildlife; and not building in flood
plains. The people of Harwich and North Essex further support creating wildlife corridors to
allow natural movement of species between habitats under rapidly changing conditions.
The meeting serves as a reminder to elected MPs of the North Essex region that constituents
are engaged, interested and increasingly active in reducing their personal contributions to
climate change, and want actions taken by regional and local authorities and national
Government to recognise their concerns and complement their efforts.
The public audience vote anonymously for climate change action using electronic keypads during the
session chaired by Prof. Jules Pretty.
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