Energy & Climate Change

Climate change is a huge threat to the English countryside because, within a few decades, it is likely to alter many of our most typical and cherished landscapes forever - unless global emissions are drastically reduced.

Hotter, drier summers, wetter winters, storms and high winds will threaten many of our landscapes and habitats. Some familiar trees, wild flowers and animals which are characteristic of our countryside may no longer be able to survive in a much warmer England.

As sea levels rise, large areas of coastland habitat may be flooded. Very dramatic changes are likely, especially in coastal Lincolnshire, with the loss of fens, beaches and entire villages.

Climate Change in the East Midlands

• Natural England's report on how climate change will affect our region. (Thanks to Rural Services Community for this link.)
• CPRE Leicestershire's take on sustainable living.
• East Midlands Regional Assembly's (EMRA) Programme of Action on Climate Change
• CPRE toolkit on climate change, 2008
• CPRE policy on energy, 2006
• Low emissions advice, 2010

Using less energy and diversifying energy sources

Climate change is mainly a consequence of soaring energy demand but it is not the only consequence of this. For decades, the beauty, diversity and tranquillity of our countryside has been under threat from the things associated with our ever growing energy consumption - roads and traffic, airport and aviation growth, built development of all kinds marching across the countryside, huge new power stations and high voltage electricity pylons.

CPRE believe that a shift to diversifying our energy sources to include more renewables, decentralising electricity generation, using combined heat and power and - above all else - using energy less wastefully - offers huge potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. But this shift requires sensitive management to reduce its negative impacts on the landscape and the tranquillity of the countryside.

 

CPRE 2010