Chris's Forester Column, November 2009

Over the last 150 years, developing and developed countries have burnt fossil fuels - coal, gas and oil - which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. There is incontrovertible scientific evidence that these gases are the prime cause of climate change. If we do not limit their release we face disasters on an epic global scale. This is why we must decarbonise our lives as rapidly as possible. From our UK current 10 tonnes of CO2 per person we need to reach around 2 tonnes by 2050.

Britain via the EU has committed to reducing emissions on 1990 levels by 34% by 2020. America under Obama is at last recognising the scale and urgency of the problem and with China has reportedly jointly promised a 'comprehensive agreement' in December.  Meanwhile in Papua New Guinea communities are relocating because rising sea levels have made their island homes uninhabitable. Copenhagen must deliver. To quote our own prime minister: 'If we act now, if we act together, if we act with vision and resolve, success at Copenhagen is still within our reach. But if we falter, the Earth itself will be at risk.'

Turning to local issues, after a recent and hugely enjoyable weekend of apple-juicing workshops, Transition Newent has now established a small co-operative network of juicers, cider makers, apple growers and equipment owners who could take a local and sustainable resource - the apple - onto another level. We raise our glasses of apple juice to their future success ∙∙∙ and the success of the world's climate change negotiators in Copenhagen.

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