Climate change scares me. This fear has grown stronger every year. On days like today, I struggle to hear anything else. It terrifies me that my children may come to fondly remember temperatures like these as the cooler summers of the past.
But despite this fear I believe that we can overcome the nature and climate crisis, and that we can do it while creating a world that is greener, wilder and more habitable for all of us, people and wildlife alike.
The most important thing is to cut emissions now. Net zero by 2050 is not going to be enough.
But no matter how fast we cut climate change is already happening.
This means we must also urgently help nature through the crisis so that nature can help us.
Here in Derbyshire, we are already experiencing more extreme weather like intense flooding but also longer periods of drought. Blanket bogs are drying, making wildfires much more likely. Water-stressed trees are more susceptible to disease. Urban residents, like the people of Derby and Chesterfield, will experience the worst of this heatwave and of those to come as concrete and tarmac amplify soaring temperatures.
Resilient ecosystems are vital to our survival. They help to cool and clean the air, store carbon, improve water quality and reduce the severity of flooding. They are also really nice places for us to live!!
Imagine our cities and towns abundant with nature, wilder parks alive with birdsong and wildflowers, kingfishers flashing through a lush river corridor. There are natural play areas, orchards and allotments in every community, a wetland in the heart of the city, wildflowers, green roofs and walls on every street.
Imagine new forests across our county, peatlands and meadows restored and wide, clean rivers all working together to draw down carbon and slow the flow of flood waters, perhaps even helped by beaver dams.
I see myself walking through these stunning places with my children, years from now, knowing that this was what we did to protect their future. Even sitting here in unprecedented heat, I do believe this can happen, because it is already.
Here are my top four reasons for hope. These are movements and projects that you can join too.
Derwent Forest
Right now, community groups, landowners and partners are creating a new woodland that will connect the National Forest in the south of the county with the soon to be established woodlands of Northern Forest. This is an incredible movement that will kickstart a rich and diverse habitat along the River Derwent catchment. Find out more and how you can get involved here.
Wilder Derby
Derby City is fast becoming a leader in the creation of resilient, low carbon and nature friendly cities. The creation of the UK’s largest urban rewilding project at Allestree has been celebrated by local residents and met with national acclaim. Right now, the city is consulting on a new vision for the city centre but people across the city think this must go much further. If you are a local resident, or visit or work in the city, share your vision of a green, wild city by taking part in our survey, and signing up to join with others in growing a wilder Derby.
Wildlife activism
All across Derbyshire, people and groups are taking action to help nature recover. From wildflowers on windowsills, to ponds in a pot, or forming action groups to sharing land for nature, each action alone may be small but together these are people that are delivering rewilding on their doorstep. Join Team Wilder now.
Simple ways to help wildlife in the heat
Put out water for birds, provide cover and keep your garden messy. You can take these simple steps to help wildlife get through the day tomorrow.
