Cumbria Sustainability Network asks for everyone to "do their bit"

Cumbria Sustainability Network has expressed a strong belief that we should all care deeply about what’s happening in Egypt, as world leaders are being brought together to discuss the future of our planet at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh next week.

One year on from the COP26 Climate Conference, hosted by the UK in Glasgow, the issue of climate change has not disappeared.

Extreme temperatures were experienced across the world in 2022, as well as drought, forest fires, extreme wind and rain in the US and elsewhere as cyclones pick up on the heat energy in our seas, while melting ice caps and rising sea levels made coastal communities increasingly vulnerable.

International negotiation on measures to reduce carbon emissions is vital to ensure that climate disasters don’t continue to worsen. 

Elected politicians need to work with governments across the world to introduce measures to tackle climate change, but we can all do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. 

Community groups across Cumbria area are speaking out, raising awareness, and providing inspirational and practical activities to cut carbon. 

Cumbria Sustainability Network are closely watching to see what decision the new Government will make on the proposed West Cumbria coalmine as it is time to invest in renewable energy since burning coal is an unacceptable fuel option.

Cumbria Sustainability Network is supported by: Ambleside Action for a Future, Art Gene Barrow, Sustainable Brampton, Sustainable Carlisle, Sustainable Keswick, Friends of the Earth West Cumbria, PEAT (Peninsula Environmental Action Together), Sustainable Staveley (SENS), Simply Repair South Lakes, SLACC (South Lakes Action on Climate Change).

Cumbria Sustainability Network encourages Cumbria-based businesses, charities, statutory bodies, and others to join the Zero Carbon Cumbria partnership to help reach net zero by 2037– balancing the carbon emissions we are responsible for with ensuring we have enough trees, pastures and peat bogs that can absorb carbon.

Over eighty partners are already signed up to ‘do their bit’ towards cutting carbon emissions in the county, with plans being developed to tackle emissions through transport, housing, agriculture, and waste. 

Zero Carbon Cumbria also supports the development of community energy schemes to power homes – ideally a massive insulation programme and stricter building standards for developments.

Everyone can play a part in cutting down any daily excess, by switching to LED lights and turning off appliances, using thermostats and timers, and washing clothes at a lower temperature. 

Food also has an impact on carbon footprint, choosing vegetables and pulses over meat and buying local will cut back on air miles and packaging and support Cumbrian farmers.