AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

County Councillors from Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire attended a private screening of 'An Inconvenient Truth' at Theatr Mwldan this week, courtesy of the West Wales ECO Centre.  The film was followed by a lively panel debate on climate change and its consequences, where Tamsin Dunwoody (AM and Deputy Minister), Gordon James (Friends of the Earth) Peter Davies (Sustainable Development Commissioner) and Brian John PhD (West Wales ECO Centre Trustee) responded to questions from the audience.

'An Inconvenient Truth' is an examination of global-warming that is essential viewing for the whole planet; it is a disaster epic that draws its special power from the fact that we are both the villains and the victims of the story. Al Gore, the ex-US Vice President, delivers an expertly put together lecture, with illuminating animation and special effects. The debate, Gore says, is over. The scientific community agrees the planet is heating up, we are primarily responsible; the effects are catastrophic and are accelerating but there is still time to turn it around, maybe a decade.

Climate change has shifted from being an environmental to a moral issue.  Humanity has the technical skill and ability to solve this problem: it now requires the political will to move forward with a commitment to development, which is sustainable for the future.  Much of the panel debate focussed on action that can be taken at Government level, whether in Whitehall, Cardiff, or locally and a number of Councillors contributed to the debate.  The over-whelming consensus is that political courage is required from all our elected representatives, whether at UK, Welsh or local Council level.  All make a difference.

Kerry Lewis from West Wales ECO Centre said 'It is unfortunate that we did not have any representation Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority or from Pembrokeshire County Councillors today, given the power which statutory authorities to make a difference to climate change.  But that does not detract from the success of today's event: we have had a good turn out and a positive and constructive debate about what action we can all take for the future'.

Gore notes that many people jump from climate change denial to despair without pausing for thought over the middle ground.  Climate change is a huge problem, but one that is made up of many small problems and as each of us goes about our daily lives.  So, to solve the problem, each of us needs to do our own little bit and the film closes with tips on energy efficiency, all of which are simple and straightforward, such as changing your light bulbs to CFLs, asking your electricity supplier for a green tariff, insulating your home. 

For free and impartial energy advice on measures you can take and grants available to assist with the cost please contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.  And go and see this film, or get it on DVD and invite your friends round to watch it with you.

If you are a local authority councillor or officer and would like to know more about you can do within your council, or would like free training, please contact Kerry Lewis at West Wales ECO Centre on 01239 821901.