Don't gamble......

with the greenhouse effect

THE new chair of Sustainability Northwest, the Co-operative Bank's David Dickman, has warned that the tragic loss of life in Carlisle due to rising flood waters is a sign of things to come unless the region takes rapid action to tackle the impacts and causes, of climate change. He is calling for the Northwest region to hold a major summit on the economic and human impacts of climate change following the deadly deluge that saw thousands without electricity, disrupted schools and businesses and left several people dead in Cumbria.

Speaking as he officially started his new term of office, Mr Dickman emphasised the importance the sustainability think-tank's work would play in preparing the region for a stormier future: "This year has started with a string of natural disasters that can only serve to remind us of the power nature has to disrupt our lives and our livelihoods, but the real tragedy is that we are failing to realise that there is much we can be doing to help ourselves.

In the century that stretches before us, we will see average temperatures rise by up to five degrees. Our seasons will shift, with spring arriving up to three weeks earlier and with autumn stretching further into winter. Sea levels will rise by around a half metre, with storm surges making coastal flooding more likely.

Tragically, the problems in Carlisle are just the start.   Every year we're breaking new records for temperature or rainfall. It is time to realise that climate change won't wait while we sit around and prevaricate. It's time for action."

Mr Dickman is former head of Co-operative and Sector Development at the Co-operative Bank and a leading figure in the UK's co-operative movement. His first act in his new role as the chair of Sustainability Northwest will be to convene a major summit meeting on climate change to devise a new regional strategy for adapting to, and mitigating, global warming.

"The Northwest, led by Sustainability Northwest, was the first region to predict the impacts of climate change, with a pioneering report in 1998," he said. "Now it's time for us to lead the way once more and truly get a grip on our profligate use of fossil fuels and the way we manage our land resources. The combination of greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainable building and landscape management is putting lives and livelihoods at risk."

Liverpool is leading the European e-government revolution

ON the 19 January more than 30 delegates from 15 countries are arriving in the city for the annual Telecities conference. The high-profile event brings together top-level figures from the world of e-government and e-business. They are developing new ideas which will help shape the future policies of the European Commission. 

In 2003, Liverpool hosted the Telecities conference for the first time, making Liverpool City Council a key member of the Telecities group. The organisation was so impressed by the way the city council is using new technology to improve services, that in November 2004, Liverpool councillor Chris Newby was named the first UK president of the group for over a decade.
Councillor Newby said:- "Liverpool is increasingly seen as the capital of technology. Hosting this conference shows Europe recognises the important voice we now have in e-government. 

In the space of a few years, Liverpool has been transformed from a city council with outdated working practices to a city which is hosting the continent's biggest e-government group. I'm delighted we are leading the way in shaping and influencing the future of e-government."

Discussions at the conference, at St George's Hall, will include 'e-citizenship' which aims to give everyone in Europe access to new technology, and using 'wireless' technology and broadband to improve customer services. And delegates will see a special presentation telling them about Liverpool's Capital of Culture preparations.

In charge of Liverpool City Council's Customer Services, Councillor Jeremy Chowings, said:- "These are exciting times for Liverpool, and I'm delighted delegates from all over Europe are in the city to see our renaissance.

Hosting the Telecities conference cements our position as one of Europe's most technologically advanced local authorities. It gives us the chance to develop new ideas with our European counterparts and tell them how we are turning our vision of 'Seaport to E-Port' into reality."

Telecities is a major network of European cities, established in 1993, and committed to innovation and new technology. It provides a platform for businesses and local authorities from 140 cities to develop new ideas. 

The third day conference took place from Wednesday to Friday this week. Representatives from countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Holland, Poland, Spain and Sweden are attending. The group will then share their ideas with the European Commission and help them deliver new policies, programmes and initiatives for the whole of Europe.