GLOBAL WARMING IN CONTEXT
Climate change in Camden.
Without capping global warming at 1.5 degrees, we face catastrophic climate events across the globe.
In 2019 Camden Council declared a climate emergency, before publishing the Camden Climate Action Plan. The project proposals within this plan are devised with the country’s first citizen’s assembly on the climate emergency. It’s creation is a recognition that
In any scenario, the world’s surface temperature will continue to rise until at least the mid century. With increasing Co2 emissions, the ocean and land carbon sinks will become less effective at slowing the accumulation of Co2 in the atmosphere, further accelerating the warming it causes.
Every region is projected to increasingly experience concurrent and multiple changes in climatic events, which would be more widespread if we allow the earth’s surface to warm by 2 degrees.
London must be ready for a warmer climate which is wetter in the winter and drier in the summer. This should include addressing the ‘urban heat island’ effect – how dense urban areas tend to get warmer than less built up areas, and cool more slowly. Action taken now will help to mitigate the impact on those in densely populate areas, particularly poorer communities who will be most vulnerable to climate impact.
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND TOWN CENTRES TAKING ACTION
Without business action it is not possible for the borough to achieve Net Zero by 2030, as Camden Council’s Climate Action Plan strives to.
The contribution that the business community can make to the fight against climate change is sometimes overlooked – perhaps because capitalism is considered too entwined with global warming. But businesses can offer proactive solutions, coming together to build resilience and explore innovation. 60% of Camden’s emissions come from commercial sources.
The fragmented ownership of town centers means they lack agility in responding to urgent matters or making ambitious, long-term changes. This is why CTU and Euston Town are introducing the Camden Green Loop – a place shaping strategy which links Kings Cross, Euston and Camden Town and provides a framework for creating neighbourhoods with improved green space, where innovation can be trialed and businesses enjoy greater connectivity. The Climate Action Plan is a focal point of the Green Loop: a set of priorities, project proposals and ideas for implementation that aim to strengthen the . We welcome other organisations to think of their own initiatives and join the Green Loop, sharing their learnings and uplifting the local environment.