Hayley Willoughby -
14-Feb-2008 - Every Londoner is using an
area the size of five and half football
pitches to support their way of life, putting
increasing strain on our environment. The
Environment Agency is warning London to
become more sustainable as it releases an
environmental health-check for the capital.
As London grows it will
face greater challenges and with a population
expected to rise by 800,000 by 2016, an
extra 30,500 homes will need to be built
every year for a decade to keep up with
the growth. The city is in an area which
is recognised as under serious water stress
and with Londoner’s already throwing out
19 million tonnes of waste every year, an
increased population will put further pressure
on the environment.
On Thursday 14 February
the Environment Agency launches the first
annual ‘State of the Environment’ report
for London, which is aimed at educating
policy makers, developers and the public
to promote ways we can improve our water
environment, manage our waste, adapt to
climate change and support sustainable development.
Clive Coley, Regional
Strategic Manager for the Environment Agency,
said “Our capital city has some challenges
ahead to protect its environment for future
Londoners. We have all made some headway
in recent years - household recycling rates
have increased by 20% and this has been
through people making a positive contribution
to the environment.
“However, with an increasing
population, economic growth and climate
change becoming more significant, Londoners
must continue to reduce their impact on
the environment by showing how much they
love their city. Simple steps, such as using
water wisely, reducing waste and re-using
more can have a real difference if everyone
does their bit. Our vision is for London
to be a truly sustainable city.”
London’s ecological
footprint has a greater impact on its environment
than other world cities such as Tokyo and
Santiago. However, London has made improvements
and is still more sustainable than Shanghai
and New York.
Experts believe the
carbon dioxide already released has determined
the changes for the next 30 to 40 years,
but we still need to reduce our emissions
now and adapt to these changes taking place
to prevent further impact of climate change.
Some simple steps everyone
can take to adapt and mitigate climate change
include:
• Use water wisely –
Turn off the taps when brushing teeth
• Do not waste our natural resources – Reduce,
Re-use, Recycle
• We need sustainable homes – such as the
Re-use grey water and install dual-flush
cisterns
• Use less energy – Turn off lights and
appliances when not in use
• Be prepared for flooding – Check flood
risk and take steps to protect your home
Mr Coley continued:
“We all need to reduce London’s ecological
footprint and minimize our use of the valuable
natural resources we have. And we believe
that as a world-class city, London can provide
international leadership”.
The report will be available
online only, at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/londonsoe
Notes:
• An ecological footprint
is the amount of land required to provide
all the resources consumed, and absorb all
the waste produced by a person or city.
• Case studies from the report are also
available online at:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/londonsoe
+ More
Environment Agency to
clear Chesham culvert
Tim Abbott - 3-Feb-2008
- The Environment Agency are going underground
to manage flood risk in Chesham by clearing
out the culvert that runs beneath the town.
Although last summer’s
floods were caused by the intense rainfall
that fell in the town, the culvert has been
the cause of flooding in the past.
The works to clear silt,
gravel and other debris from the tunnel
are estimated to cost around £25,000
and will take three weeks to complete, but
this will depend on the scale of the blockages
in the tunnel and the weather.
Chesham Culvert carries
Vale Brook beneath the town centre between
Townsend Road and the rear of Red Lion Street,
where it joins the River Chess. The Environment
Agency has been working with Chiltern District
Council, Bucks County Council and Chesham
Town Council to plan the work.
Environment Agency engineer
David Telford said: “While every effort
will be made to cause as little disturbance
as possible, some inconvenience may be experienced.
This is a tricky task because the access
manholes are located in some of the town
centre’s busy car parks, highways such as
The Broadway, the High Street and Market
Square, and also inside shops and their
rear yards.
“This work will reduce
the risk of flooding from the culvert and
we hope shoppers will bear with us while
the work is carried out. ”
Following clearance
the culvert will be surveyed using CCTV
cameras to assess its condition and identify
utility service pipes and cables that impede
flood flows. Attempts will be made to have
these diverted. The works will commence
on the 11 February 2008.
The contractor undertaking
the work for the Environment Agency is Draincare,
who are based near Harpenden.
