The Copenhagen Agreement - a long delayed case of Risk Management aversion is confirmed.

Changes in the Qori Kalis Glacier, Quelccaya Ice Cap, Peru, are shown between 1978 (top) and 2002. © Source: Professor L. Thompson


The Copenhagen Agreement, a long delayed case of Risk Management aversion is confirmed. While we live in a society that is increasingly ruled by Health & Safety Assessments, on nearly everything under the sun, the world’s leaders have ironically appeared to play Russian Roulette with the world’s future at Copenhagen this week. Shall we, or shan’t we intervene in global warming? Squabbling like children over the minutae which have delayed agreement until later- yet again. What are we supposed to think? Well, one thing is for certain, there has never been a better time to start thinking for ourselves.
In one way, it would be tempting to say to hell with vicarious responsibility. But if we do that, we are falling into the trap that was laid for us more than 30 years ago, when limited supplies of oil began to run out and then flow again. The trap? Reliance and over reliance on oil...It really up to each company and individual to make a choice now. No more prevarication or excuses.
“At the end of the day... its a level playing field...” oh yes and various other platitudes have all been trotted out again. They seem to abound in the public arena when what we really need is free and open, impartial statistics which are available to everyone, to make their own informed choices where possible, plus balanced and impartial advice on what those choices actually mean in terms of risk.
The Copenhagen Agreement impasse on climate change reminds me of Pension advice I received 20 years ago. “We can’t make the decision for you, we don’t know what the markets will do...” but I was expected to choose a product, based on virtually unknown risks. Except that in this case, we do know that global warming exists, we can also actually see the evidence of it and we can if we so wish, put that evidence into context and judge that as time is ticking way, opportunities to act are still being squandered. You can’t buy back time. You can’t step into the same river twice.
The banks were given 10, 000 billion dollars in the recent bail out, to survive, but what price do we put on humanity...? Just 200 billion dollars it seems. Mmmm, the maths don’t quite add up here.
Virginia Woolf once said that writing a novel was like walking through a room holding up a lantern which lights up what is already in the room anyway. This is what writing on the Copenhagen Agreement feels like. It is already blatantly clear and very simple what the course of action should be. Don’t wait to be told, take action yourselves.
Try starting today with one of these tasks. How? Well, there are a whole raft of things that we as companies and individuals can all start doing that will make a real difference to global warming, albeit with the time lag involved;
Reduce waste.
Change electricity supplier to Green suppliers.
Install water meters and harvest and recycle rain water.
Join a group like Transition Towns. There are many groups of sincere, green minded, community orientated people who really care. At least we act. Join one.
Share resources and pool local knowledge.
Travel less. Share car journeys and use public transport when possible. Walk or cycle for short journeys. Have staycations.
Recycle unwanted goods.
Grow your own food.
Look for ways (& grants) to make your house more energy efficient.
The population of the world is expected to decrease by 2050, if current rates continue. However,despite this, Resource Management, of water,food, energy and skills, will be vital.

The last question that no one seems to have asked, what if the projections turn out to be worse and faster in global warming terms, than those presented by our governments; what if that happens?
Acting now will help; a journey of a 1,000 miles really does begin with one single small step; why not begin to do something great today. Show our leaders an example of how to act.

www.landvision.co.uk

Green infrastructure, incorporating green roofs and Sustainable urban drainage schemes enhances biodiversity

Green infrastructure, incorporating green roofs and Sustainable urban drainage schemes enhances biodiversity as well as optimising the aesthetic potential of green spaces through linkage; helping to achieve sustainability and lowering CO2 emissions over time; with greater net benefits for wildlife and urban environments than the ad hoc addition of individual components on their own.
So, what exactly is green infrastructure?
Green Infrastructure includes these components; green roofs, sustainable urban drainage schemes (SUDS), garden trees, wildflower meadow creation and enhancement, wildlife habitat creation, ecological enhancement, biodiversity action plans, linking of green space, urban woodlands, street trees, urban parks and public open spaces. The combined benefits of green roofs, Sustainable urban drainage schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, biodiversity action plans and green space allocation and the ethos of linkage of all these components, through sustainable ecological “green” design is currently being encouraged in landscape planning.
More benefits?
Green infrastructure helps to aid biodiversity, increases energy efficiency in buildings and decreases storm water runoff, minimising peak water flows.
Therefore, using green roofs (and also green walls), maximises habitat creation potential, with wildlife benefits in built up urban areas, whilst minimising & slowing down storm water runoff from buildings, aiding flood alleviation schemes. They cool buildings in hot weather with less need for air conditioning and trap dust and other pollutants, improving air quality & lowering temperatures in “urban heat islands”.
What angles allow a safe green roof to be installed?
If the angle of the roof is between 2 and 20 degrees then you should be able to install a simple green roof. When angles of less than 2 degrees or greater than 20 degrees are involved, more complex design considerations will need to be taken into account. The installation of green roofs on angles of more than 30 degrees is not recommended, unless you have specialist advice available to you.
Underlying roof structure, will the roof structure of the roof of your shed/garage/house take the extra weight that the green roof will put on it?
A simple, light weight green roof will weigh between 60-150 kg per square metre; calculations must also include the weight of water held in the roof and snow loading. If you are in doubt, you should consult an architect/engineer.
Green Roofs have 5 main layers; planting layer, planting substrate (this should be 80% inorganic and 20% organic compost), filter layer(Light weight geotextile/landscape fabric), drainage layer (especially important for roofs of less than 10 degree angle), and finally a waterproof/ root proof membrane layer.
For details on Flooding go to www.landvision.co.uk . We will be adding a web page shortly on how to install your Green Roof. Alternatively contact us at; charmaine@landvision.co.uk with your query.

How to minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding

“How to minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding by use of ecological planting and sustainable urban design techniques in the landscape.”

As Britain braces itself for more wet weather in December, the high rain fall levels last week which led to flooding in Cumbria lead us to ask again; how can we minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding by use of ecological planting and sustainable urban design techniques in the landscape?

The high rainfall which caused the flooding last week in Cockermouth, Cumbria, was so extreme that the Environment Agency said that a flooding event was likely to happen only once in 1,000 years. However with the El Nino effect, this once in a 1,000 year rainfall event may become increasingly common in Britain and elsewhere, in wet months, when high rainfall continues to fall on already saturated ground. We really do need to press on with the implementation of recommendations as set out by The Pitt report.

Floods are notoriously difficult to predict, for meteorological and earth science reasons. Sheer scale of human tragedy and loss, plus millions of pounds worth of damage, mean that modelling firms must continue to work apace to search for ways of accurately predicting floods.

However, we must also seek swift and widespread landscape design and ecologically sound landscape management solutions to flood alleviation.
1) We will need to start planting more trees, in river catchment areas, such as the Cumbrian hills. We all need to contemplate planting more trees where space allows, as this will help to slow rainwater flow rates, giving more time to react to flooding- saving lives.
2) Woodlands should be actively managed and schemes integrated into flood management.
3) Deciduous trees are best as their leaf litter helps to absorb the rainfall and this helps to slow surface water flow rates following high rainfall, thus lowering the incidence of flooding.
4) We need to increase water storage on upland areas, rather than drain these areas too quickly as has been done in the past (where drains placed in Victorian times still hasten the flow of water from upland areas for historically traditional land management practices such as grazing by sheep.)
5) Designing large lakes and ponds and SUDs for upland areas and river catchments with high rainfall and other areas with a propensity towards flooding would help.
6) Designing flood alleviation schemes in flood risk areas should continue.
7) All new parking areas and housing hard surfacing must be designed to be permeable, so that water flow rates are slowed, minimising flooding in neighbouring areas downstream.
8) Convert impermeable hard surfacing into permeable surfacing.

Rainfall on this occasion was unusually high;“the highest level measured in England since records began.” (The Times, Nov 21st, 2009) “Meteorologists recorded 314mm (12in) of rain in 24 hours”; the rainfall was also widespread;“ flood warnings remained in place across North West of England, parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland;” (The Times, 21st Nov 2009

Professional, pragmatic and innovative skills and research continue to be required to help to produce practical solutions to minimise and slow water flow rates thus reducing flooding. Planting and sustainable urban design techniques can help to minimise flooding due to high rainfall events. For more information visit our flooding web page http://www.landvision.co.uk/services_flooding.html

How to recognise Red Band Needle Blight and Pine needle loss

There has been a dramatic increase in the outbreak of Red Band Needle Blight in Britain since the 1990’s. Red Band Needle Blight affects coniferous trees. Until recently, it was found more in the Southern hemisphere. However, with climate change causing warmer Spring temperatures and higher rainfall in Spring and Summer in Britain, Red Band Needle Blight is more widespread.

So how do you recognise Red Band Needle Blight (Fungus Dothistroma Septosporum) in coniferous trees including Corsican Pine, Lodgepole Pine and other Pines and Larches?

Firstly, this catastrophic disease causes the browning of the ends of pine needles.
It is easiest to spot in May to July when new needles are growing.
Needle defoliation usually starts in lower crown of trees.

Here’s how to recognise Red Band Needle Blight.

Do your coniferous trees look red/brown and the needles are dying off?
Are the defoliating needles leaving bare patches on the branches?
Other signs to look for;
• In late Autumn, yellow bands or tan spots start at the point of infection. These bands soon turn red/red brown.
• End of needles die back to the lowest point of infection.
• *Characteristic browning at distal ends of needles whilst the base remains green.(This is especially easy to spot on needles of 1 year or older.)
• Best time to look for signs of Red band Needle Blight is May- July with new needle flush.
• Defoliation starts in lower crown in plantations where disease is active.
• Disease commences on older needles, (though foliage of any age can be affected.)
• Lower branches can lose all their needles.
• In Autumn, once needles are shed, the tree crowns look sparse as old needles drop off.
• Isolated tufts of current year’s needles are left and remain at branch tips.


Pines are the most economically significant tree species in the world (Ian Noel, pers comm.)Red Band Needle Blight causes catastrophic lowering of forestry yields and economic loss as well as a considerable aesthetic loss to woodlands and the decline in visual and landscape amenity.

The disease has its most pronounced effect on Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra ssp Laricio) Corsican pine is the main conifer grown in Britain as it makes up 21% of Britain’s coniferous planting.
It also causes lasting damage to Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var Latifolia.)

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) can be susceptible when it is located close to stands of wood with a high concentration of infected trees. The worse affected trees are also the three most planted Pines species grown in Britain. So, the recognition of Red band Needle Blight is vital in its control.

Other species affected;
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata)
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Austrian Pine(Pinus nigra)
Bishops Pine (Pinus muricata)
Maritime Pine (Pinus maritime)
Weymouth Pine (Pinus strobus)
Pinus Mugo ssp Uncinata (Mountain Pine) and Pinus Peuce (Macedonian Pine.)


Apart from Pines, other conifers affected are;
European Larch (Larix decidua)
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Norway Spruce (Picea Abies)
Sitka Spruce.

These are affected when located close to a highly infected crop.
The seedlings of these trees are also affected.

• This disease has a striking effect on diameter and height growth in trees as well as the loss of aesthetic value. (A mean crown infection of 70% resulted in a 68% decrease in mean annual volume.) (Brown, unpublished data.)
• Once crown infection exceeds 40%, the increment loss is more than 40% (Forestry Commission statistics.)
• Control is by thinning trees, stand manipulation, pruning and by reduction in dense understorey which cause higher humidity levels at base of crown and favour development of the pathogen (Villebonne & Maugard, 1999)

There is currently a moratorium in Forestry Commission plantations on planting of Corsican Pine.
Moreover, there is no replacement species for timber production. Strangely enough, the much maligned Leylandii could become our new timber tree!

As 10 hours or more of needle wetness is required for infection by Dothistroma Septosporum, we will need to continue to adjust our management of coniferous woodlands. Judicious management will be needed to help to slow down this disease which could also affect genetic diversity of the Pinus species.

Without intervention, aesthetic landscape value will continue to be eroded with economic losses caused by Red Band needle Blight in British Woodlands, if the current climatic trend towards warmer British Springs and wetter British summers continues.

Festival of Interdependence 24/10/09

According to radical economists from the nef (New Economics Foundation) Autumn 2009 magazine, time to react to global warming is fast running out.

Climate change experts back this up; they calculate that there are only 100 months (from August 2009) before we pass a point beyond which runaway climate change becomes much more likely to happen.

The Festival of Interdpendance on 24th October, 2009 run by nef , has helped to highlight some of the ways in which we can begin to make small changes. It showed that if we can try to embrace this challenge of a call to action, we can bring about far reaching positive benefits for society as well as slowing climate change.

Social, economic , political and environmental challenges need to be addressed by the next government. The festival brought together thinkers, poets, artists, philosophers, musicians and activists.

Climate change challenges do not exist in isolation; they are interrelated to the social and economic fabric of our society, sometimes in intricate and unforeseen ways. This complexity highlights the need to react locally to the challenge of inter relating social, economic, political and environmental initiatives. It is an exciting time to be working in environment and to be an informed member of the voting public.

We should seek to unravel the tangle that the current economic systems are in, for the social and environmental benefit of all man kind. Equally, do not waste your opportunity to become involved yourselves, to act in a perhaps more socially, politically and environmentally sustainable and enlightened way. This involvement of more of us in our local communities will bring “win- win” results and establish a new status quo.

The clock is ticking. Don’t waste time, get involved with your local community.

Missing duck of Wadhurst.

Transition funding nearly out for a duck.

A luke warm reception was given for Transition initiatives last night at the Parish Council meeting.

It seems that the Wadhurst parish councillors would rather discuss the missing duck than to offer their whole hearted positive support for making their local community more resilient to transition from carbon based society.

Despite some support for the new group;
“This is an organisation worthy of us getting it off the ground...” their actual grasp of how to help Wadhurst to a Transition economy and lifestyle was pretty unedifying.

They do not seem to have grasped the fact that we are all involved in Transition.
That it is not simply the Parish council’s role but moreover its duty to provide not only allotments for residents but also whole hearted support for community initiatives which will give added time to our children to react to the challenges of climate change.

The generally negative attitude was exemplified by one councillor who thought that the group had already spent the money and that were coming to them for help- which he did not think they should give! This patronising attitude was unfortunately widespread amongst them, as was their negative and unenlightened stance to Transition.

But apart from not getting their facts right, the majority of councillors have failed to grasp the real challenges that Transition from carbon based society will mean. The energy saving workshops and practical seed swopping workshops which Transition Wadhurst plan to run locally will offer real and practical help to local residents to shift towards a more resilient society and a community in which more people try to help each other.

Transition seems to be poorly understood by the Parish councillors, who fear it as a militant organisation bringing change. It is not a party political group nor is it affiliated to any political party but wants to involve a whole community. We face challenges. Perhaps I am more militant than other members of Transition and these are my own views.

Transition is a very worthwhile initiative, but only half of the councillors supported it to any significant degree. This is despite the fact that it is in our Parish Plan to support initiatives like this. This is also despite the fact that they have a moral duty to support their local community.

Rotary club Xmas lights, a twinning trip to France and other far “safer options” were given more financial backing and air time than what they saw as “political or controversial issues”; namely, an energy saving workshop run by the Energy Saving Trust and a local food growing/seed swopping workshop initiative.

The Vicar of Dibley springs to mind...Politics at the local level... arcane, negative and befuddled.

The result? Wadhurst PC voted several times with motions to halve the paltry amount requested for the practical workshops to a mere £200, at one point half of the councillors suggesting that they offer only the derisory sum of £100. Some even just a room for the venue or no other help whatsoever. I would expect more from the people I elected to represent me.

Yes, we certainly do seem to have a long way to go to gain true Parish Cpuncil backing.

Transition begins at the individual and local Parish level. But this is precisely the level at which administrators like our parish councillors simply can’t see the wood for the trees. While I think that at a National level we do have braod support, at the local level, the Parish level, we do not. They cannot seem to grasp that this is a cross party movement; nor that it is a positive move towards building community resilience. Nor, can they fully grasp the urgency of the action required. If our future society is to be faced with climate change and fuel poor, we will need to build local resilience into our communities. We will need Parish Councillors whole hearted sipport; we will need them on board. The best way is to start locally.

They would much rather discuss the missing duck, prevent speed limits from being imposed on dangerous roads and dwell on grass clippings’ removal.

Perhaps we should implement some of the 300 + suggestions from the first public meeting of 100 + residents of the village.
All grass verges should be replaced by communal winter salads, beetroots and courgettes.
Safe cycling for 1 mile on every road out from the village.
Zero carbon conversion for all public buildings in the village.

Is this too much to ask?


My own personal view is that perhaps we should start with an educational workshop for our own Parish Councillors to which I would expect every Councillor to turn up.
They have a duty to support and encourage the Transition team to lead the way.

Transition Wadhurst refused Parish Council grant.

Transition Wadhurst refused Parish Council grant.

So, Wadhurst Parish Council members have voted against supporting a community organization?

Do they realise that central government has to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050?

If so, do they have a road map of how the Parish council will reduce these CO2 emissions?

If not, then they will have to start to work with Transition Wadhurst or groups like us.

This is an initiative which is in the Public Interest and is well supported by over 100 + of the Wadhurst villagers, who elected the Parish Council to represent them.

The Parish Council have a responsibility to act in the Public interest.

If they cannot do so then they should retire and we should take their place.

It is obvious to anyone with half a brain that climate change is a political matter. Therefore, saying that this is political and so cannot be grant aided is rather ostrich like, and not at all helpful. It is political but it needs to be apolitical (cross party.)

Yes, there will criticisms of politicians from all parties. This is normal and this is democratic free speech.

We would suggest that if they are that worried about criticism then they should not stand for re election.

We do not wish to be political in conventional party terms. Everyone has a responsibility to try to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Transition Organisation is apolitical and cross party. This is its strength.