So I had the climate change talk with my 9-year-old at the weekend. It was triggered by a TV series we were watching, with lots of images of natural disasters, and he wanted to know what climate change is and what he should be doing to stop it.
Fortunately, I was able to answer his questions, probably in far more detail than he could easily digest. We discussed what climate change is, the effects it is having on our environment and why it is important for everyone to play their part in limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C.
At home we have been making changes to the way we live over a number of years – we installed solar panels over 10 years ago, collect rainwater to water the vegetables we try to grow in our back garden and have recently gone the EV route. All relatively simple things if you are lucky enough to have the space and the financial opportunity. However, he wanted to know what he could do himself to make a difference.
So we talked about the little things that are simple to do but may need a change in priorities and a bit of extra thought and planning to do. As a family have made the following commitments:
- we will always turn the lights off when we leave a room
- we will shop local first, buying food that is in season, minimising our food miles where we can
- we will always take our own shopping bags with us
- we will minimise the amount of plastic waste we generate through buying smarter and using reusable cups and water bottles
- we will recycle as much as we can – minimising the amount that goes to landfill
- we will walk and cycle more often – for example to school – instead of driving
- we will eat less meat and have agreed as a family to have two vegetarian meals a week
- we will conserve water by limiting our time in the shower – turns out this is not a massive deal breaker for a 9-year-old
- we will reuse our old clothes and toys wherever possible or donate them to charities who can
- we will aim to buy less ‘things’ and enjoy experiences instead.
Deakins Place is a milestone achievement that highlights the best of what BWB has to offer. It is through our multidisciplinary expertise that we are able to overcome the numerous design challenges and deliver this major student accommodation development in a prime location in Nottingham. It is our hope that this development will attract many new students to Nottingham and its renowned universities for many years to come.’
BWB Structural Engineer Josh Alfred who was involved in the project
Why is this important? The science could not be clearer and as highlighted in the recent IPCC Report every country, company and individual must play their part if we are to have a chance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C. While individual changes are important, so is the corporate responsibility of companies in the fight against climate change. At BWB we have been taking steps to reduce the carbon emissions associated with our own operations, along with supporting our clients on their net zero journeys through the delivery of sustainable design solutions.
Now is the time for action and every gramme of CO2 we save today is important for all our futures. You can read more about BWBs commitment to sustainability on the Responsible BWB page of our website.