How Conservation Volunteers can help to tackle climate change

WHY IS THE CLIMATE CHANGING?

The earth’s climate is constantly evolving, but recent changes are so dramatic they outpace anything formerly experienced.

Based on the latest data, experts predict much more severe weather extremes affecting the UK over the coming 50 years: wetter winters, drier summers with hotter temperatures, more intense downpours and droughts throughout the year, flash floods and rising sea levels.

Where historically climate change has been the result of natural causes, evidence suggests the latest rapid evolution is largely man-made – as a result of activity such as burning fossil fuels.

The impact will be felt by all communities, and is also one of the most important factors influencing the behaviour, distribution, and survival of species as it determines the variety of habitats and ecosystems.

WHY DOES CLIMATE CHANGE MATTER?

Already changes can be seen in the timing of migration and flowering. Loss of synchronisation could mean loss of food and other resources for some species. Changes in climate and habitat conditions result in some species being forced to relocate or - if they cannot – face extinction. Changes making areas less suitable to native species will increase the threat from invasive pest species.

HOW CAN WE HELP CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING ENVIRONMENT?

There are ways to try to help the environment cope with climate change:

Managing ponds and wetlands to reduce flood risk and maintain these habitats

Manipulate the water supply to offset impacts of drier summers

Plant trees to provide shade, absorb rainfall and dissipate excess water run-off

Create and maintain sand dune systems to protect coastal areas

Create a greater number of specialised habitat sites

Increase the size of existing sites

Create wildlife corridors to allow species to travel to new or more suitable sites – whether in the form of hedgerows, waterways or mosaics of varying vegetation such as copses and grasslands

Protecting sites with animal or plant species 'at risk' – through habitat
management and/or removal of threatening species in the vicinity.

While these actions may soften the evolution, success will be limited unless we also take action to tackle the root cause of climate change – by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing natural ‘carbon sinks’ to deal more effectively with them.

Where previously efforts have concentrated on protecting specific species and sites, we now need to work more widely, conserving and protecting the whole range of habitats, safeguarding the delicate balance that is under threat.

What difference can I make? Everyone who volunteers on a conservation project carrying out practical activity will help to combat the impacts of climate change.

Each single person’s efforts may be small, but the combined action of BTCV’s 130,000 ‘single’ volunteers and 5,000 community groups is a force to be reckoned with.

We can help out at home as well – turning the heating down one degree, walking or cycling rather than taking the car and by not leaving taps running needlessly.

Simple actions to reduce our individual carbon footprints collectively forge a path to reducing the global impact on our environment and on our lives.

Here are details of Simple Actions You Can Take