Climate change is now widely acknowledged as the greatest threat to the future of humanity on the planet. Coupled with the sustainable use of resources and the impact of this upon transport choices, traffic levels in the UK continue to grow and road accidents are a significant drain on the NHS. This generates significant economic and environmental resource implications and is a considerable source of pain, grief and suffering for those involved.
Estimates of the potential increase in global temperatures, as a result of unchecked human activity, range between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100. There is a growing body of evidence that climate change is already having local impacts in terms of warmer, drier conditions, coupled with increased incidents of extreme weather events. Flooding across the county in 2007 was just one example of this impacting on Nottinghamshire. Whilst direct connections between human activity and these events has yet to be established, there is sufficient concern to conclude that action needs to be taken.
It is vital that the new Local Area Agreement (LAA) includes the promotion of environmental sustainability, and sustainable choices, as this is key to all activity within and outside the Partnership. Through individual partner activities, and through the promotion of sustainable activity across the county, all partners are responsible for securing the most sustainable use of resources to enhance the environment and to ensure its long term survival.
The inclusion of environmental sustainability in the LAA will result in:
- raised awareness of sustainability issues
- increased understanding of how the decisions made by individuals and organisations all have an impact upon sustainability issues
- promotion of alternative environmentally sustainable options
- promotion of the strengths of partnership working in securing sustainable environmental initiatives
- ensuring that environmental costs are minimised and do not impact on those elements of the community who are least able to afford them
- reductions in road casualties.
