This news clip from 7th August is one of the clearest expositions yet of how rapidly human-caused climate change is progressing, transforming planet Earth from somewhere where the a large percentage of the human population can live very or fairly comfortably into a hostile environment. Climate scientists have been issuing dire warnings for decades, but even they are shocked at recent weather events, such as those shown here.
Strong action is needed without delay. Obviously, governments are best placed to make the big changes (and licensing new oil fields is absolutely unthinkable, Boris Johnson), but businesses and individuals can change their own behaviour and can pressure governments to do what's needed - when it comes to voting, the number one consideration should be which candidates will do most to combat and adapt to climate change.
Some aspects of our current lifestyle will have to be modified. In the west we will have to cut back on types of consumption that are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. We need to ditch gas central heating, we need to fly a lot less, we need to drive a lot less, we need to eat less meat.... And we need to start doing these things today. We can make those changes and still have comfortable, if somewhat different, lives, but if we don't our lives, and especially those of the youngest people alive today, will quickly become increasingly "uncomfortable", to put it mildly.
Next month, when world leaders come together in Scotland to discuss the climate crisis, here in Enfield we'll be holding a "climate festival" to celebrate people's capacity for coming together to solve difficult problems. A host of different groups from around the borough will highlighting actions that we and the council can take. I urge all readers to take part in some of the many events held during the festival.
