Climate emergency
Climate change is the biggest global challenge we face. Impacts from a changing climate will be felt across all aspects of our daily lives.
There is overwhelming consensus from global and national organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Climate Change Committee and the Met Office’s UK Climate Projections that we need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions urgently and we need to adapt to the climate change that is already ‘locked in’.
Temperatures need to stay within 1.5˚C by the end of the century if we are to avoid some of the worst impacts of a warming world with hotter dryer summers, warmer wetter winters and more intense and frequent rainfall. Current polices mean we are likely to face between a 2 and 4˚C rise.
The natural world is already facing an ecological emergency with threats from pollution, land use change and other human pressures. Climate change will exacerbate and increase the frequency of threats and risks to already vulnerable landscapes and ecosystems.
These changes are already being felt in the natural world. The State of Nature Report 2019 points out that ‘many species, including birds, butterflies, moths and dragonflies, have moved north over the last four decades. Shifts for these groups averaged 23km per decade between the 1970s and 1990s, and 18km per decade between the 1990s and the mid-2000s.’
Craig Bennett, the Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, recently noted that the ‘Climate and ecological emergencies are inextricably linked’, and this puts Wildlife Trusts at the forefront of action to tackle climate change.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust has declared a Climate Emergency, which means we will do all we can to cut our carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2030 and to ensure that the landscapes we are responsible for are as climate resilient as they can be.
We have measured our carbon baseline and are producing a Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan that sets out clearly how we intend to get to Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
However, despite the scale of the challenge to achieve Net Zero Carbon, this alone will not be enough. We need to move beyond Net Zero and sequester (lock away) more CO2 than we are emitting if we are to avoid the tipping points that could lead to ‘runaway’ climate change. This is due to all the CO2 that has already been emitted, our so-called 'legacy emissions', which have locked in additional warming and sea level rise.
In this section
Water pollution: effects on the ocean
All drains and rivers lead to the sea – meaning that the sea often sees the impact of our on-land activities, whether we mean it to or not.
It's time to rescue our rivers
Water. Where would we be without it? The truth is, we probably wouldn’t be at all.
Water. Where would we be without it? The truth is, we probably wouldn’t be at all.
CBD COP16: Why we do what we do
This week, representatives of governments from across the world will gather in Cali, Colombia, for a UN conference discussing the conservation of biodiversity & sustainable use of natural resources called CBD COP16
This week, representatives of governments from across the world will gather in Cali, Colombia, for a UN conference discussing the conservation of biodiversity & sustainable use of natural resources called CBD COP16
Are you meeting with your MP tomorrow?
Do you want your MP to help protect your local green space or take the action needed to clean up our rivers and seas? The Common Grounds day of action is happening tomorrow, Saturday 12th October, across the country.
Do you want your MP to help protect your local green space or take the action needed to clean up our rivers and seas? The Common Grounds day of action is happening tomorrow, Saturday 12th October, across the country.
The Blue Carbon Mapping Project
Charities urge stronger protection for UK seas as landmark reports reveal amount of carbon stored in seabed habitats for the first time
Charities urge stronger protection for UK seas as landmark reports reveal amount of carbon stored in seabed habitats for the first time
Raised ambition needed at global climate conference COP28
The Wildlife Trusts believe the UK Government must raise ambition on emissions reductions, nature recovery and climate adaptation.
The Wildlife Trusts believe the UK Government must raise ambition on emissions reductions, nature recovery and climate adaptation.
COP15 global nature summit underway
COP15 must agree a landmark global treaty to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030 - but there’s a long way to go if the UK is to be a world leader on climate and nature.
COP15 must agree a landmark global treaty to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030 - but there’s a long way to go if the UK is to be a world leader on climate and nature.
We must have a Frack Free Future
Today we have seen the Prime Minister lifting the ban on fracking in England. Sussex Wildlife Trust does not support fracking in the UK because of the potential for negative environmental impacts.
Today we have seen the Prime Minister lifting the ban on fracking in England. Sussex Wildlife Trust does not support fracking in the UK because of the potential for negative environmental impacts.
Climate action needs nature. Nature needs climate action
The Wildlife Trusts’ COP26 report says it’s time to tackle the twin crises at speed
The Wildlife Trusts’ COP26 report says it’s time to tackle the twin crises at speed
Interview with Climate Lead Matthew Bird
We speak to Climate Lead Matthew Bird about Cop 26 and Net Zero
We speak to Climate Lead Matthew Bird about Cop 26 and Net Zero
We can't say we weren't warned
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have published a new climate report. Henri Brocklebank, Director of Conservation Policy & Evidence, offers a thoughtful response
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have published a new climate report. Henri Brocklebank, Director of Conservation Policy & Evidence, offers a thoughtful response