(Reposted from Adur and Worthing Council website)
Reducing the use of plastics and unnecessary packaging should be a top priority for tackling climate change, according to a survey of local residents.
The survey was carried out to support the recommendations of the Adur and Worthing Climate Assembly, a body of 45 local residents randomly selected from the local population to discuss how the two communities could collectively tackle climate change.
They met online over five weekends from September to the beginning of December to hear evidence from leading experts on climate change. They also took evidence from local community groups and businesses about the work they are already doing to help tackle the climate crisis.
The Assembly will now put forward in early 2021 a series of recommendations to Adur & Worthing Councils on action that could be taken locally to respond to the climate emergency.
The wider survey, to which all residents of Adur and Worthing were invited to contribute, was carried out to help shape the recommendations of the Climate Assembly. It also found that almost three-quarters (72%) of residents believe taking action and making changes to the way they live now can make a difference to climate change.
The survey also found that many local residents have already made behaviour and lifestyle changes which could contribute towards making Adur and Worthing more sustainable. This includes:
- 69 per cent have grown their own food
- 57 per cent avoid single use plastic
- 46 per cent compost their own food and garden waste
- 44 per cent buy food that has been produced locally
In relation to transport, 63 per cent of residents in the survey said they regularly walk or cycle instead of using the car; and 53 per cent have reduced the amount they use the car.
Asked about their lifestyle choices, 46 per cent of residents have improved the insulation in their home, 27 per cent use renewable energy and 11 per cent have bought a low emission vehicle.
Expense, the lack of availability of services and not being sure what to do were given as reasons why some have not made the changes above.
Cllr Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:
“I've been really struck by how much work has gone into this process, and would like to say a huge thank you to all the participants who have clearly taken the subject matter very seriously. We look forward to receiving their recommendations for how we can all work together to tackle the climate crisis and make Adur and Worthing a more sustainable place to live.”
The Adur & Worthing Climate Assembly forms part of the Councils' SustainableAW programme to protect and improve the local environment. The Councils declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
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