As I get ready to head off to COP27 in Egypt, three things are on my mind.
Firstly , I’m none the wiser as to whether the views of people in Northern Ireland will be represented as world leaders decide what’s needed to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees higher than preindustrial levels.
Until this week, Rishi Sunak wasn’t going to the annual global climate conference. Now he is... so at least that’s something. But I have no idea if any officials from NI will be joining the UK team, as no one here has been able to tell me.
Read more: The Earth's Corr: NI needs a Future Generations Commissioner like Wales'
Ireland on the other hand is sending a 80-100 strong delegation to support Europe’s negotiations on a range of issues.
They include prioritising the shift away from fossil fuels, furthering ambitions of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance and the High Ambition Coalition, Climate and Clean Air issues and funding for countries suffering losses and damage because of the climate crisis.
We learned this week, the UK - which still holds presidency of the global climate conference until it hands over the reigns in Sharm El Sheikh next week - missed the deadline to pay the $300m it promised at COP26 in Glasgow last year.
The money was pledged to help developing countries, where people are suffering most from a climate crisis they did least to cause. And that in itself is downright shameful.
I can’t wait to hear what they have to say for themselves about the new oil and gas licences Liz Truss touted, which will only worsen global warming. Let’s hope Rishi sees sense as the UN has repeatedly said oil and gas now need to stay in the ground.
Secondly , according to the UN, countries around the world haven’t done nearly enough to stave off the worst of global warming.
Everyone pledged in Paris in 2015, they would work to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.
But last week UN experts said pledged actions up to 2030, could see global warming reach 2.5 degrees - sparking catastrophic changes around the world.
That’s not a future we want, especially after a summer that saw heatwaves, floods, droughts and more inflict serious damage on people around the world.
No thanks to acidic dead seas that leech onto land, killing our ability to feed ourselves - for that’s what we’re in for down the line if we don’t get this situation under control. And Europe, with our more temperate climate won’t escape.
According to a new report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) temperatures in Europe have risen over twice the global average in the past 30 years. That’s means our continent is warming faster than everywhere else on Earth.
We already know we are in for rising sea levels from melting icecaps, but storms are on the rise as well.
The WMO highlighted how in 2021, Europe was hit by devastating floods and severe weather, that claimed lives, impacted over 500,000 people and cost $50 billion. It makes no sense not to act.
Thirdly , I’m hoping the world’s richest countries will finally step up and deliver the funding promised to the global south to help them cope with a catastrophe they did little to cause.
For as long as I can remember, people across Africa have suffered famines and drought but climate change promises that on steroids if we continue down this self-harming path.
I know this is a lot for people going about their everyday lives to take in - and it’s not our fault we are where we are.
Politicians have failed us and are continuing to fail us.
Real change has to come from the top - and COP27 is key to getting everyone on board.
I only hope they deliver this year as time is quickly running out to save the world.
Lead pipes in homes a worry
Lead contamination in South Belfast drinking water is causing concern with around 25,714 homes in the area having lead pipes in their homes.
MP Claire Hanna says she was provided that figure by NI Water.
There is no safe level of lead in drinking water and it can particularly impact young children, affecting brain development and kidneys.
While NI Water plans to replace lead communication pipes within the system, there is no funding available for householders and landlords to do the same.
Ms Hanna said: “Lead pipes create health risks and should be removed when discovered, but unlike elsewhere, including in the Republic of Ireland and England, there is no financial help for householders seeking to get them removed and replaced.
“High levels of lead contamination is a problem impacting on the health of my constituents in South Belfast and across Northern Ireland, and to date the issue of supply pipes has been largely ignored.
“It is also concerning that our biggest landlord the NIHE does not have a clear picture of which of their properties are impacted by lead supply pipes.
“This public health issue is just one more reason why we need a functioning Assembly and Executive devising solutions to local problems on behalf of communities here.”
Tree strategy one step closer
The draft Belfast Tree Strategy is up for debate at Belfast City Council’s People and Communities Committee next Tuesday.
It includes proposals like a 10-year plan to improve tree cover in the city.
Issues like tree maintenance were also raised, with respondents to the public consultation saying they would like trees looked after better.
Cllr Anthony Flynn said issues like funding are something that need to be ironed out.
He told us: “It looks like there is very minimal tree cover in inner city Belfast. One of the main factors in the report, was the lack of diversity in tree cover.
“We have a bit of ash, a bit of oak [but] we need diversity to keep tree disease at bay. I would like to see native Irish trees in Belfast and stopping importing trees.
“We know trees are incredibly important for the city. They provide an effective carbon sink and good quality air, which we know improves mental health and people’s physical health as well.
“I would like this strategy to be adopted and a roadmap to enhancing tree over across the city of Belfast. We need to plant trees in the right area with the right plan.”
In-season is the thing
With winter just right around the corner, seasonal foods are changing.
I’ve made a vow to use in-season produce more as it has less of an environmental impact.
Is this something you could consider?
I mean who doesn’t like a warm winter soup made of all the veg that can be grown right here!
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