Over the last few months the terrible effects of climate change have become increasingly apparent. Infernos have raged along the east coast of Australia killing least 28 people, more than a billion animals, and destroying 2,000 homes. Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide have endured life-threatening levels of air pollution and huge amounts of carbon have been released into the atmosphere. A recent analysis shows that ocean warming has increased more rapidly over the past 10 years than at any time since records began. The amount of heat being added to the oceans is equivalent to every person on the planet running 100 microwave ovens all day and all night or five Hiroshima-size atomic bombs being dropped every second. The world’s oceans are the clearest measure of the climate emergency because they absorb more than 90% of the heat trapped by the greenhouse gases emitted by fossil fuel burning, forest destruction and other human activities.
What more evidence do we need?
There’s been a lot of news about air pollution too, which could lead to more than 160,000 deaths from heart attacks and strokes over the next decade according to the British Heart Foundation. The charity says the deaths will be as a direct result of particulate pollution across the UK. Tiny particulates generated by the tyres of aircraft taking off and landing at Heathrow have been found in the centre of London and prevailing winds from the South West take particulates from Bristol Airport straight into the city. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/toxic-air-will-kill-160-000-in-the-next-decade-charity-warns-nxjlgk982
The good news is, three quarters of 30,000 people questioned globally said they plan to fly less in 2020 to help prevent climate change. The European Investment Bank surveyed regular flyers in 28 countries in Europe, the United States and China. In the poll, 36% of Europeans said they already flew less for holidays to help prevent climate change and 75% intended to do so in 2020. Air travel in progressive countries like Sweden is also falling due to ‘flight shaming.’ More reasons why we don’t need airport expansion, anywhere. More information here: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-climate-survey/europeans-chinese-americans-to-fly-less-in-2020-to-fight-climate-change-survey-idUSKBN1ZD1EE?platform=hootsuite and here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51067440
Finally we’re now entering the next stage of the fight to stop Bristol Airport’s unsustainable expansion plans following North Somerset Council’s rejection of their planning application. The Airport may yet appeal..
Please join the resistance …
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