The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change... There are no grey areas when it comes to survival. So says Greta Thunberg.

Writing about climate change can be challenging: every day there seems to be another new fact uncovered.

The global climate emergency is not new, but we really do need people to understand that we need to do something about it now, not next year.

There are already 200 species becoming extinct every day. Civilisation as we know it may well follow down that road if we do as little as we are currently doing. As I write this, the news on BBC that we are on track to a 3 degree Celsius increase in global temperature fills me with despair.

Sustainable Wallingford has been saying since 2003 that we need to change our habits, for sustainability and for health.

Through a variety of events, we have provided information to encourage behaviour change. Sustainable Blewbury wrote about these same issues in their recent newsletter. So following their format, here are a few things that might encourage you to act.

As we have said before, action does not have to be complicated. Individually, we have control over all these areas.

Food: Eat more meatless meals (and especially less beef and lamb), don’t waste food – try menu planning; buy local where possible; a community garden (Incredible Edible at Wallingford and Benson libraries); grow your own if you can.

Consume less, waste less, simplify.

Demand climate solutions from our politicians. Tell them we want action, not talk! They constantly say their constituents don’t contact them about climate change.

Things to do:

Plant Trees: A wood, or in parks or open spaces in town, or along the roads into town.

Demand: That banks and other investors stop funding fracking and vast fossil-fuel projects.

Ride your bike–free exercise.

Campaign for better cycling routes in town and between villages/towns.

Save energy (and money): Publicise cost-effective methods of insulating homes.

These are just some ideas of what can be done.

What do you think Sustainable Wallingford should tackle first? Would you like to get involved?

Contact us at sw@sustainablewallingford.org if you would like to help.