'Momentum is building', says environmental group

Climate Change Coalition to muster for second gathering

There is a 'huge groundswell of support' for action on climate change, according to one activist from an environmental group.

The Climate Change Coalition is hoping to harness what it says is 'building momentum' around the issue, ahead of a meeting with government next month.

Formed in November with the aim of lobbying for urgency on the issue, the coalition believes 'little progress' has been made in mitigating the effects of rising temperatures.

Joney Faragher of the group says people are feeling frustrated at the lack of action in government, but believes the CCC can mobilise people and 'give them the outlet in pushing our government to act upon climate change.'

The Manx Wildlife Trust, Graih and the Isle of Man Freethinkers recently joined the ranks of the coalition, which was founded by a number of political and humanitarian groups across the Island. 

COP24

Delegates from countries of the United Nations met in Poland for a two week conference late last year, and finalised a deal to implement renewed emission monitoring set out in an agreement made in 2015.

That pact is known as the Paris Accord, which the US famously withdrew from as Donald Trump came into his presidency.

Among the signatories in December was the United Kingdom, which is set to adopt a more stringent reduction plan by 2020.

Although the agreement does not extend to the Isle of Man, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture said it 'welcomes the commitment' made by the member nations.

A media spokesperson told Manx Radio 'the Island is working hard to to reduce greenhouse gas emissions' and maintains the goal of an 80% cut by 2050 as its target.

The weatherman

Adrian Cowin, the Island's Chief Meteorological Officer, has been invited to talk at the upcoming event this Friday (25 Jan) and is expected to give scientific insight on the local situation.

Mr Cowin spoke to Sunday Opinion earlier in the month and told the programme that climate change has led to a 'quite stunning' rise in temperatures on the Isle of Man since the 1980s.

As a result of man-made changes to the climate, he says the weather will carry more moisture, more energy, and therefore will become more extreme.

"The atmosphere would be more turbulent, more stormy."

"You can end up with more gales and more heavy rainfall events, and that has an impact at a local level on the Isle of Man."

He also highlighted the risk posed to the Island from sea level rise, where climate prediction models have forecast an extra 94cm - almost 3ft - of sea level, in the worst case scenario.

"This is of great concern for planning and infrastructure when you've got coastal communities that may be impacted, and we already are by winter-time gales and high tides."

The CCC is set to meet with DEFA on 11 February and give a presentation to Tynwald members later that month.

Friday's event, the second get-together for the group, is at the Manx Legion on Market St, Douglas and is open to the public.

Listen below to hear more from the coalition's Joney Faragher: