Climate change - Wharfedale communities must 'rise to the challenge'

That is the message from politicians in Wharfedale and Aireborough following the stark warnings of last week's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

That document spelt out the potentially catastrophic consequences - everything from crop failure to flooding - of failing to bring global warming under control.

To avoid such scenarios the experts say temperatures must not rise by more than 1.5C - but admit 'huge changes' will be needed to achieve that.

Environmental campaigners like Otley Town Councillor like Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) believe local communities have an important role to play.

He said: "The report pointed out the need to cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and to get almost all of our electricity from renewables by the middle of the century.

"What then could happen in Otley in the next 12 years if we are to play our small part in keeping a planet fit for living things to survive and hopefully thrive?

"As a community, Otley Community Energy Group is looking for the best ways to save and generate our own renewable energy while Otley Town Council is supporting the Green Doctor scheme to cut fuel bills through better home insulation.

"But with transport emissions still rising can we find ways to reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Otley to make pedestrian safety paramount, improve the air we breathe and leave space for bikes?

"We can also challenge our supermarkets to minimise food waste and plastic packaging well before the promised date of 2025, and decide whether we want to pay the environmental price of an expanded Leeds Bradford Airport."

Otley Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "The report provides the most dramatic evidence yet of the urgency with which we need to tackle the rise in global temperatures.

"This week the Government has its Green GB Week which, on the face of it, is a good idea to promote the environment - but it rings hollow in the same week that fracking started in Lancashire, and continued backtracking on policy slows the progress towards climate change targets.

"Every local action we take to reduce energy and resource use makes a difference, whether it is our Otley Energy Savers scheme or projects to reduce coffee cup and plastic bottle waste like My Otley Cup and My Otley Refill."

MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) says the report's findings make it even more important to exert pressure on the Government.

He said: "This report tells us in large something we already knew, that we are destroying our planet and causing serious problems for our children and grandchildren.

"The new information is that we have far less time to prevent this than we thought.

"In Parliament myself and many of my colleagues, from all political parties, are trying to convince the Government to do more to reduce our carbon footprint and tackle climate change."

*Leeds City Council's Executive Board was expected to approve final plans for a Clean Air Zone this week.

The proposals, due to come into effect in January, 2020 will cover an area that takes in half of Leeds but doesn't stretch out to Wharfedale and see non-compliant vehicles hit with a variety of charges for driving within the zone.

Mr Sobel said: "I am pleased that Leeds City Council are bringing in the Clean Air Zone to reduce harmful diesel vehicles entering the city.

"This however, is just the beginning. I have been working with agencies and local campaigners to build an evidence base for Otley, particularly due to the heavy traffic flow on Bridge Street.

"I have also been campaigning for action in Pool-in-Wharfedale where we have seen very severe air quality readings.

"We need to ensure the Government initiates a new clean air act and invests properly in public health."

Cllr Georgeson said: "Otley has a localised problem with clean air at certain hotspots and at certain times which, in themselves, may not be best addressed by extending the Clean Air Zone.

"I would much rather see Leeds work with us to invest in a long-term plan for slowing down local traffic, boosting walking and safe cycling for short everyday journeys and improving our bus network."

Cllr Bradley added: "This scheme should extend down the A660 to include Otley.

"It is limited in tackling only NOx (nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide) emissions by some vehicles and leaving out the health risk from tiny particulates which all vehicles cause through braking, tyre wear and so on."