CLIMATE CHANGE

BE SAFE AND BE SEEN

THE shortest day may have passed, but it will still be dark in the mornings and afternoons for weeks to come.

As a cyclist who has a healthy respect for his own and his family’s lives, can I ask all parents to check that their children have proper lights fitted to their bikes before they go out in the dark?

As most young people seem to prefer wearing dark clothing, they can be almost invisible to other road users.

And, when the reckless few start wobbling around as they attempt wheelies, they put themselves at even more risk of being knocked off by a passing vehicle.

Of course, it’s not just kids who seem unable to understand the importance of being seen. Sean Higgins

AS A VOLUNTEER for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, (Cafod), I was privileged to join a team of campaigners in attending the COP24, in Poland, in December, to march for climate justice. On my return, I was saddened to discover that many people are still unaware of the effects of climate change, simply because “we don’t suffer from it here”.

I have to ask myself, if local people were suffering from it, would they not be campaigning for change, too?

So, why aren’t they now, considering the signs of the times around us – the number of floods, fires, and the higher temperature rises all last year.

The single biggest thing that every individual can do to help decrease their carbon footprint is to eat less meat!

Understandably, it is very difficult to change the habits of a lifetime, so I am writing to ask readers to take some time to research and read about what small changes they can make in their lives which can have a huge impact.

We have been told in the IPCC report that we have 12 years to act in order to keep our planet at a sustainable temperature.

This will only be achieved if we all play a part.

Let’s make that change together!

Colette Byrne, Cafod volunteer