Before joining The Environment Partnership (TEP) two years ago, I had only a basic understanding of the meaning of sustainability and why it is important in combating climate change. I am an Executive Assistant and fortunate enough to work for TEP, an environmental consultancy based in the heart of Warrington’s business district with offices throughout the country. TEP is committed to supporting and creating sustainable environments, not only in the way it runs its business but in the services it offers its clients.
Through working at TEP, I now understand the essential part an environmental consultancy plays in protecting the environment. And I am amazed at the amount of thought and consideration that goes into each and every one of our projects. Whether it’s introducing innovative sustainable drainage solutions into the designs of a new residential development or creating habitats to protect important migrating bird populations, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of learning what we do. If you would like to read about how the services TEP offers are helping to combat the climate change emergency, please read these fantastic articles written by my colleagues: Safeguarding Our Landscapes and Climate Change and Role of the Landscape Professional.
Since joining TEP, I have also become more aware of how the government is trying to combat climate change, such as implementing legislation and policies to protect wildlife, reduce our carbon footprint and increase Biodiversity Net Gain (an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before). It’s great to know it’s not all talk, and things are actually being done. And as of this week, Glasgow will be hosting COP26 the UK’s biggest ever summit, which will be all about climate change and how countries throughout the world are planning to tackle it.
TEP was the first UK environmental consultancy to become carbon neutral and is now working towards net-zero status. TEP, like so many other companies, has already identified areas of the business to target and help reduce its carbon footprint. But as an individual, I found myself asking, what can I do to combat the effects of climate change? I do not have a specialist skill (such as an ecologist, planner or landscape architect), I am not a politician or an activist, but I do care.
Every time I read about the climate emergency, I am filled with a yearning to do my bit because I want myself and future generations to live in a sustainable environment. Despite my good intentions, I found that I didn’t really understand how my way of life was causing climate change, and how changing my ways would even make a difference. Burning fossil fuels, deforestation and releasing carbon into the atmosphere, this is bad, but why? What is ocean acidification? Why is farming contributing to climate change? Why will increasing biodiversity and planting more trees help? Why will changing our fishing and farming habits help? That is until I read David Attenborough’s ‘A Life on Our Planet’. After reading it, I finally understood the answers to all these questions, and how, if we implement change now, we can stop and even reverse the effects of climate change. A bleak read, but one full of hope.
“We have one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited. All we need is the will to do so.” – David Attenborough
So to answer my question of how an individual can do their part to combat climate change, here are just a few suggestions I would like to share:
With just a few clicks, you can work out your carbon footprint. See if there are things you can change, because if everyone made simple swaps, just imagine the impact it would have!
Emma McDaid
Executive Assistant (and amateur environmentalist)
