Victoria's Green Matters - 15th May 2014

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent MercuryOur recent dramatically wet winter brought home to us the fact that the climate is changing. Whether that is due to human activity or is naturally occurring will continue to be debated. It is, of course, accepted by anyone who has a shred of commonsense, cares for the future of the planet and is prepared to take action to minimise the effects of a warming world.

Whatever your beliefs or opinions may be, it cannot be denied that we are running out of the easily obtainable fossil fuels that have enabled us to become part of the consumer society in which we live. Our government is engaged at present in trying to find alternative supplies of natural gas to keep our lights on when our rapidly depleting supplies of North Sea gas have been used.

Had we invested early in renewables: solar, wind and geothermal and insulated all our buildings to a very high standard, particularly our new build, we would be in a far better position regarding our energy supplies. Fracking for shale gas will never be a viable option, particularly here in East Kent, where we rely on aquifers for our water.

But we need to consume less of everything if we are to have a chance of stopping runaway climate change. We must try and buy goods that will last and repair them if necessary; buy locally grown fruit and vegetables and grow our own vegetables if we can; avoid buying out of season, imported produce for a start.

Victoria Nicholls. Transition Deal.