Starting Points

  1. Runaway climate change is the biggest threat facing the human race at the start of the twenty-first century.
  2. Climate Change presents an opportunity as well as a threat; many benefits to the people of Winchester could follow from an open and shared approach towards moving to a low carbon society.
  3. The ‘greenhouse effect’ has been understood by scientists for more than a century.  While climate science is full of uncertainties, there is a clear consensus among the majority of climate scientists working across the world about the causes and the probable and possible impacts of different concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere.  There is a small number of scientists whose views are outside the general consensus.
  4. There is a need to advance public engagement with the science of climate change.
  5. The consensus of scientific opinion points ever more sharply to the imperative of urgent action to reduce GHG emissions.  The average increase in global temperatures (compared with pre-industrial temperatures) should not be allowed to exceed two degrees centigrade, an increase that would itself be full of dangers.
  6. Wealthier industrialised countries are disproportionately responsible for the problems of human caused climate change; as a matter of urgency these countries  should lead the way to a low carbon world.
  7. Climate Change is everyone’s issue – it is too important to be left to politicians or environmentalists, though both these overlapping groups have important leadership roles to play.
  8. Effective action locally on Climate Change should be planned to produce a success of two kinds, a win win: it should improve the quality of life in and around Winchester; and it should help to place Winchester at the head of the race against time to minimise the impacts of dangerous Climate Change.
  9. Effective action on Climate Change involves a considered approach to the four ‘A’s - Awareness, Agency, Association, Action (and reflection).  The importance of association (people are more likely to change their behaviour if they are in a supportive group or community) and of agency (developing a sense that there are meaningful responses that one can make to an issue of this magnitude) are reasons why a partnership approach – including mutual learning and sharing of resources - should prove to be the most fruitful.
  10. Winchester is a city with a long history of culture and learning.   It should be one of the cities that leads the way towards the many benefits of low-carbon living and away from the worst disasters of human-caused Climate Change.
  11. Taking action on Climate Change can do much to help create a greater sense of wellbeing.  Healthier lifestyles, better family and personal relationships, more meaningful work, and greater engagement in a local community – all of which are compatible with the goal of reducing GHG emissions - tend to increase wellbeing and a sense of personal fulfilment; as does a sense of acting ethically or ’doing the right thing’.
  12. If it is to succeed WACC will need to be action-oriented, professionally-run, enjoyable and based on the best available science.    Clear and realistic aims, wide ownership, good organisation, an agreed budget, a sense of urgency, and a sense of fun will all be needed.