Do your bit for Climate Change by taking part in the New Forest Challenge
Make lifestyle changes for the environment ahead of COP26
The New Forest National Park Authority is inviting people to sign up to their New Forest Climate and Nature Challenge.
The NFNPA declared a climate and nature emergency in January 2020 and has committed to work with partners and communities to ensure the National Park is ‘net zero with nature’ by 2050.
As the United Nations COP26 summit is held over the next two weeks in Glasgow, the NFNPA want us to make small lifestyle changes which can have a big impact.
The COP26 summit is seen as critical because it’s the first time when countries must set out more ambitious goals for ending their contribution to climate change under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
New Forest National Park Authority Chair Prof Gavin Parker said: ‘Climate change and its effects is the greatest long-term challenge for the National Park.
‘The impact of climate change on the New Forest is likely to be wide-reaching, with warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, rising sea levels and an increasing frequency of extreme weather events; the effects of which are already being seen.
‘This will have significant detrimental effects for our wildlife, local livelihoods and human health unless addressed.
‘However we can all make a difference. There are over 35,000 people living in the National Park and nearly 180,000 living in New Forest District. Imagine if everyone gardened for wildlife for example, were more careful about what we put down our sinks to protect our waterways, or shopped locally to reduce travel, food miles and support the local landscape and economy. Taking a few steps, no matter how small, can all add up to help make a positive impact on the environment.’