Last week some of the world’s top climate scientists urged immediate global action to prevent dramatic climate breakdown. The IPCC (the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report warned that to prevent warming greater than 1.5˚C over pre-industrial levels we must slash emissions by 2030 and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. They also highlight the stark difference between 1.5˚C warming (the ‘aspirational’ target set in the Paris agreement in 2015) and 2˚C – which will be particularly felt by island and low-lying nations at risk of sea level rise.

The only way to reach these targets is for governments to back the array of transitions needed from moving to green energy to halting the loss of our forests and peatlands whilst also investing in green technology and divesting from fossil fuels.

However less than a week after this report, the UK high court chose to back energy firm Cuadrilla in their quest to force through fracking in Lancashire, against the will of local communities and local councillors. As of Monday (and also the start of the government’s Green Great Britain week) protesters had blockaded the site where fracking was due to start. The latest government surveys reflect people’s wish for a truly Green Great Britain, with only 18% of the population supporting fracking as support for renewables rose consistently.

Protecting our planet has never been more urgent and we’re not doing nearly enough yet. If you care about our environment make sure your voice is heard – by your family, friends and colleagues and importantly, by local government who must be accountable for their decisions regarding the future of our planet.