Today is Blog Action Day 2009 and The Barton Blog is taking part in this global event. Thousands of Blogs from all over the world are taking part in this exciting movement: where we all blog on the same day about the same topic, the topic this year being Climate Change. The idea is to relate that subject to your blog and as The Barton Blog is clearly about Barton I thought I would try and find some people who had something to say about this thorny issue in relation to Barton.
For this report I have been to visit two people: Sarah, who is the Ranger at The Waters' Edge, and Anthony, a Barton-based Electrical Engineer who has a keen interest in sustainable living. I wanted to know how the issue of climate change has affected two people who live and work in Barton, but who live completely different lives.
Sarah has been a Ranger at The Waters' Edge for 8-9 years. She was keen to point out to me that it's difficult to say that changes that she has seen in her years working on the reserve are 100% definitely happening as a result of climate change. It's so difficult to know for sure, but changes that she has seen have been stark and obvious and she took me for a walk about the park to show me what she has noticed.
One of the most major differences Sarah has seen over the years is the change in the seasons. "The temperature is backwards and forwards and this affects everything in the park, from the trees to the insects", she said. "Trees such as Hawthorn and Silver Birch are losing their leaves as early as June. Berries are ripening too soon. We started noticing Blackberries were ready for picking in June and by July you could grab huge handfuls. Berries on the Hawthorns were also appearing by August and this is way too early for the birds. They just don't need them in the summer."
Berries on a Guelder Rose: these are just about ripe still, but will soon be inedible. This should be happening much later in the year.
Berries that are way beyond their best: no bird or small mammal will now be able to feast on these during the colder winter months. There is tree after tree in the park full of berries like this.
Early ripening of berries will cause the birds and small mammals such as Shrews, Harvest Mice and Bank Voles who rely on them big problems in winter. Berries that ripen in the summer will mean that by autumn and winter time (when they are most needed) they will all be gone and will leave many a hungry small bird. Sarah said, "it's vital people feed the birds that visit their gardens. Their natural source of winter food is dwindling and they need our help".
Sarah continued, "Mallards are mating now and they're not supposed to mate until the spring. We also had some Grebes hatch in September, which is completely the wrong time of year."
What was clearly the most visual reminder of potentially worrying times were the ponds that were dreadfully low. While we looked over Folly Pond Sarah noted that it has never been so low. "The pond should be half way up the bank. It's had no chance to refill as we have had so little rain. The rain that came in the summer evaporated straight away as it fell during a hot period. I really worry about the ponds and all the life that they support. Basically we need more rain."
Once a pond: now a puddle. The ground cracks with the lack of rain.
Sarah surveys Folly Pond: lower than it has ever been. If only the clouds above would dispense some water!
After quite a worrying trip round the Waters' Edge the conclusion seems to be that at the moment, the life-cycle of many species seems to have been messed around and this includes everything from the trees, to the mallards, to the insects and the berries. How much of this is attributed to climate change is unclear. What is clear is that it is of great concern and one can only hope that all the species are able to adapt more quickly to the changes they face.
Next I headed off to talk to Anthony, an Electrical Engineer for 30 years who has a keen interest in sustainable living. Most of us are some way along the line of sustainable living in that we dutifully put our cans and plastics out for recycling, but Anthony has taken it a step further, by fitting his home with solar panels and a wind turbine. His background as an engineer has helped him to do much of the installing of the equipment himself.
The panels that contribute in a small way to the mains electricity.
Anthony said, "naturally I wanted to use my electrical knowledge in creating a sustainable environment to live in and I really like the idea of generating my own electricity. I only have a small system for the mains electricity so it doesn't produce the majority of power I need, but even just to manage to produce a small proportion is very satisfying. The panels that control the hot water are more effective however and I rarely use my boiler for months on end over the summer".
The wind turbine that points towards the back of Anthony's house.
Anthony says his is just a hobby system and while it does not sustain his home completely he enjoys the feel-good factor of making the effort to make a small contribution to a sustainable life. "Having a limited system really makes you think about what you use. I turn the lights off more, turn the fridge down. It teaches you to use only what you need, and when there is not much sun to power the panels you adapt to have showers instead of baths, to not do the laundry that day and wait. It's all about being flexible and adapting to the new system".
The very effective panels that control the hot water system.
Anthony also collects water for his garden in water butts, grows his own vegetables and heats his living room with an open fire. He said, "it's important to do, but I just really enjoy the challenge".
Anthony even drives an old milk float which goes at a top speed of 25mph. "I have no desire to go haring about and don't want a fast car that guzzles lots of petrol. I don't use the float much anymore, but I used to drive to work in Barrow in it, much to the annoyance of those stuck behind me. I didn't want to frustrate other drivers but it was an option available to me and I wanted to get about without burning endless resources of petrol."
Anthony and his milk float: top speed of 25mph.
Asked about his opinions on climate change in general Anthony said much the same as Sarah. "It's difficult to know exactly what to think what with so much conflicting scientific information going around. I just keep an open mind. My opinion is that even if we are not certain about the impact of climate change, we shouldn't waste anything, whether it can afforded to be wasted or not. We shouldn't be greedy and the idea of sustainable living works whether there is climate change or not."
Thanks for reading my Blog Action Day report. I hope you have enjoyed it.
Please note on the 1st November there is 'Make a Difference Day' at The Waters' Edge.
Meet 10am at the visitor's centre. Just turn up and wear scruffy clothes, bring a picnic. Over 16s only. Contact Sarah on 07717 587533 for more info.
I will be Blogging on this event so if you want to be on The Barton Blog get yourself down there!
Please feel free to comment on any of Climate Change discussion today.
