Change is definitely in the air. It seemed coincidental that the LARAC Exec should get together last week to put the finishing touches to the large body of work that has been the Resources and Waste Strategy Consultations, whilst people up and down the country were making their views heard on climate change. But sometimes a mood appears to be in the 'ether' and it all seems so intricately related; people beginning to wake up to the health of the environment and us doggedly working away making sure we make the best possible responses to government consultations on waste and recycling. Could it be we are all beginning to sing from the same hymn sheet? Will it mean that people move towards seeing the strong link between their buying habits, their recycling and waste levels and the effect those have on world around them?
It was encouraging to hear the news that for three whole days over Easter the UK had a coal free weekend. Admittedly, it was the warmest Easter since goodness-knows-when but an added bonus was that we had a coal-free period for 90 hours and 45 minutes up until Easter Monday afternoon. Apparently, the weather was 'just right', too hot to use the central heating and not too hot to require air-conditioning. About a year before, in a warm spell, we had enjoyed 76 hours coal-free, so it is moving in the right direction. And between 2017 and 2018 greenhouse gas emissions fell by 3% in the UK - due in part to a reduction in the use of coal. The coal free days were a small but welcome piece of good news and an indication that things are slowly changing. And we, local authorities, are part of that change.
The inbox here at LARAC and our twitter feed is full of climate change news of various kinds, the awakening energy amongst the public is palpable. Let's hope it lasts, and that we can build on it. It's right the government should be consulting with local authorities to see how, in a changing world, we ensure councils can deal with waste and recycling in the most telling and cost-effective way . We have information to share which will make that more achievable, we have a view which is important and informed on EPR and consistency and much more besides, all of which will go towards making a difference locally, and to climate change. So, use our consultation drafts being sent out to you later this week, all you LARAC members, and we'll see if we can make a difference!
