Climate change discussed at recent open meeting

A range of topics related to climate change were discussed at a recent open meeting in Castleton.

Hosted by Middleton-based group BOLD - Building Our Local Democracy, which also covers Rochdale, Heywood, Littleborough and Milnrow – the climate change emergency meeting was held at the Woolworth’s Club on 22 March.

Attendees had the chance to listen to keynote speakers on what residents and the council can do to alleviate the effects of climate change.

The meeting opened with a discussion about trees and rewilding. Whilst planting trees, hedgerows and wildflowers is desirable there is a need for more advice to groups and individuals on where they have maximum impact, and which species to use.

An interesting project in Leicester was mentioned where 'living roof' bus shelters – also nicknamed ‘bee bus stops’ – have begun to replace traditional bus shelters. The living roof shelters are solar-powered and topped with gardens filled with pollinator-friendly plants.

Reference was also made to the Incredible Edible efforts in Todmorden to utilise public spaces for planting, including fruit trees and vegetables for the town’s benefit.

Andy Burrows, who runs a social enterprise scheme called Trust Renewables based in Littleborough, spoke about solar and related energy saving issues.

Trust Renewables is helping deliver a local plan to get local people back into work, delivering solar energy and better insulation to homes across the borough. The aim is to work towards the GMCA's (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) target of net zero by 2040.

As well as solar, many local authorities have schemes helping low-income families with loft insulation and other measures with grants, but Andy pointed out there is not a’ one size fits all solution’.

 

 

Nigel Goulding, education officer for the council's waste management team, and Jo Oliver, also from waste management, reminded people on the importance of placing items in the correct bins.

They pointed out that tree branches thicker than your wrist must not be placed in the brown garden waste bins, and broken glass and Pyrex should not be put in the green and blue bins. Instead, all aforementioned items should be disposed of in the dark green general waste bins or taken to a household recycling centre.

Jo reported that Rochdale's recycling rate was currently slightly below 50%, which is higher than the national average, and that up to 95% of Rochdale’s recycling is carried out in the UK with some in the Netherlands.

An audience member mentioned she collects empty crisp packets from her café, then puts them into a collection site outside her local Tesco. Film, plastic bags and similar plastics can also be placed there.

Most large stores collect used batteries and Tesco also let you deposit old printer cartridges if you obtain an envelope from them.

Whilst the council now provides two free bulky waste collection each year for borough residents, some in the audience felt more could be done such as placing skips in an area for a time for residents to depose of large items, a scheme that Riverside Housing had implemented in Langley last year.
 

Read more: People in Rochdale will soon be entitled to two free bulky waste collections every yearPublished: 26 January 2022
Free skips set up on Langley estate in bid to cut down on fly-tippingPublished: 05 August 2021

The last speaker was BOLD’s Phil Clayton, a former executive member of registered charity, Mersey Rivers Trust, which covers a range of issues such as: urban run-off, drainage problems, trading estates, microplastics, contaminated land and sedimentation.

Through their efforts, local rivers are becoming cleaner, the evidence being the return of fish in many of the region’s 23 rivers.

Phil had insufficient time to talk about air pollution, but although dioxide emissions have been falling, it remains a major danger to public health in the UK.

The Royal College of Physicians estimate 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to it, with engine idling a contributory factor.

John Wilkins, of BOLD, said: “In the breakout session, the audience put other ideas forward.

“The overall message is both the public and the council can do more to reduce the effects of climate change through education.”