Kevin Dixon: Climate change is no longer a distant threat for Torbay

Around a decade ago Torbay author Adam Nevill wrote a novel called ‘Lost Girl’. This was a work of fiction set in Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham in the year 2053.

The background to Adam’s tale is of a future where climate change has created a nightmarish Bay of blistering temperatures, refugee camps, ever-rising sea levels, pandemics, and lawlessness. 

Although a work of fiction it does give us some food for thought about what we can all do to reduce the effects of climate change.

Adam spent a great deal of time researching the threat of climate change, his vision following a tradition in science fiction of exploring potential futures; and of urging readers to heed their lessons before it’s too late.

Since Lost Girl’s publication we have even more evidence of climate change caused by human activities.

Indeed, even though compared to other parts of the world we may live in a place that is less affected, every year we are becoming more aware of its far-reaching effects.

Countering climate change is important for us all, even though some may see the issue as just too overwhelming to think about. Our first task is then to help everyone understand why action is needed and how all our choices, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can make a difference.

Part of the challenge is to be aware that some vested interests have political or economic motivations to deny climate change is happening. They are well resourced and use rhetorical tactics to give the appearance of a scientific controversy where none exists. But now all-around there is clear and abundant evidence of the threats we are facing.

Climate change is, of course, taking place everywhere, making large parts of the world increasingly hard to live in. Low-lying and less developed countries are home to some of the biggest populations, and we are already seeing climate and environmental migration linked with conflict over natural resources. Torbay will not be insulated from the movements of millions of people.

Changing weather patterns mean that we already have a different climate to what it was just a few decades ago.  We are seeing an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events while heat and rainfall records are repeatedly being broken.

We are seeing other changes that indicate what is to come if we don’t alter our behaviour. Tragically, climate change will likely result in the extinction of many life forms while other species are relocating. Brixham’s fishermen, for instance, have recently noticed an "invasion of octopus”, a species usually found in the Mediterranean.

That is why all throughout our Bay we are taking climate action across our economy, culture, planning, and the natural environment. This includes immediate efforts alongside long-term strategies as we adapt to current and expected changes in the climate. 

Rising sea levels and coastal erosion have put more than 350 properties in Paignton and Preston at risk. In response, we are building stronger sea defences. Inland we are introducing planters and water butts to reduce surface water flooding, keeping people safe and protected as we adapt to heavier rainfall.

Much can be achieved by working with nature. Torbay already has a remarkable 458,000 trees of 62 different species and we are planting 2,000 more to support biodiversity, store carbon, and offer shade. The Bay is now introducing small-scale, fast-growing, densely planted woodlands called Miyawaki Forests. 

But it’s not just the council and the government that can make real change. At a very local and individual level we can all reduce our carbon footprint. In  many ways we can help prepare for the future and improve how our society works by changing our day-to-day behaviours and decisions.

And this is not about self-sacrifice. Climate action can be about being healthier and making our lives easier as we move away from a consumer culture.

Waste, in all its forms, significantly contributes to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, primarily from decomposition in landfills and incineration. Furthermore, the resource extraction, manufacturing, and transportation of goods that eventually become waste generate substantial emissions.

We should all reduce and recycle what we can in a partnership between residents and our local services. Every week, for example, SWISCo saves a tonne of furniture and other items from going to waste. These items are then repaired, recycled and rehomed.

Through a commitment to the environment, we can confront the challenges of poverty, ill health, and poorly paid employment. We need good advice and information. This goes hand-in-hand with bringing more opportunities, jobs and new businesses to the Bay. South Devon College, for instance, is running programmes to help local businesses and training employees in new skills and technologies.

As we make our homes and workplaces more energy efficient, we also save money. For support on how to do this contact the lovely folk at Energy Saving Torbay. They help residents stay warm in their homes by offering free energy advice and assistance. They are based at People’s Parkfield in Paignton, an exciting new community venture which has ambitions to become the Bay’s climate hub.

Many of the initiatives now taking place have other benefits for residents. For instance, energy efficiency and public safety are both being improved by Torbay Council’s upgrading of more than 3,000 streetlights.

You may also notice a growing emphasis on healthy eating where local folk are growing their own food on small plots of land. This is another example of how tackling climate change can also act as a means of tackling the high cost of living.

Public transport is one of the best and most cost-effective ways of addressing climate challenges while making our towns more liveable. Being less reliant on private transport benefits health and wellbeing and we need to encourage the use of public transport, cycling, and walking. Sustainable travel is essential and needs to be even more accessible, affordable, and attractive.

This may all seem a massive endeavour and certainly requires ongoing effort and commitment. Yet, we are all on a vitally necessary mission and a journey that none of us should feel we are taking alone.  

All these many initiatives need coordination and in 2021 the Torbay Climate Partnership was set up to reduce the Bay’s carbon emissions and prepare for a changing climate.

The partnership brings together individuals with a passionate interest in the environment alongside representatives from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors. We are all pushing forward a coordinated local approach to tackling climate change called ‘The Greener Way for Our Bay’.

Future generations will not forgive us if we don’t do all we can now to reduce and even reverse climate change. At the very least, we can say that we did care and played our part in making things better in Torbay.

Adam Nevill’s chilling vision in his novel Lost Girl was a warning of a dark future which could happen if we don’t act now.  Let us hope that by taking action, Adam’s dystopian Torbay remains a fiction.