Pollution
Environmental health monitor air quality in the borough and
regulate many industrial processes to control harmful
emissions. Complaints about domestic and industrial pollution
(including smoke) can be investigated by Environmental Health
Services. Action may be taken to achieve control where necessary.
Contact us to report a problem.
Use the links on the navigation down the left hand side of
your screen for more detailed information on pollution.
Climate change
Tomorrow’s climate is today’s challenge
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today.
It affects us all but we can all be part of the solution.
Government, business and individuals all have a part to play, and
all of us can benefit from rising to the challenge of climate
change.
Climate change is the blanket of gases that keeps the surface of
the earth warm and able to sustain life is getting thicker,
trapping in more heat. This is predominantly caused by the release
of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels. To avoid
radical changes in temperature in the future, action is urgently
required.
Effects of climate change
Rising global temperatures will bring changes in weather
patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity
of extreme weather events. The nine hottest years on record have
happened in the last decade. The effects will be felt here in the
UK and internationally there may be severe problems for people in
regions that are particularly vulnerable to change.
Our borough’s climate is predicted to change dramatically by
2050 with hotter, dryer summers leading to risks to health and
increased drought; longer, wetter winters with the severest storms,
which normally occur only every 100 years, happening annually;
native flora and fauna dying through being unable to adapt quickly
enough; increased risks of fires on the Moors; increased costs for
businesses and homeowners to heat and cool buildings; all of which
will change the way we live and the longer we wait to act the more
severe it will be.
Well before the end of this century the effects of climate
change could be huge on our environment, economy and society –
remember “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow
it from our children."
Tackling climate change in Rochdale borough
The Council is committed to tackling climate change and has
signed up to the Manchester Is My Planet project and The North West
Climate Change Pledge. They have developed their own Carbon
Management Action Plan (CMAP) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
from their buildings, vehicle fleet, street lighting and in the
goods and services they buy.
Work is also progressing to involve local organisations in
activity towards climate change, especially Housing Associations
and housebuilders in low carbon buildings and integrating renewable
technologies such as solar thermal panels. Our planning polices are
being changed to reflect the need for action, including new design
guidance, and other key strategies and programmes are being
influenced to ensure that they contribute towards the challenge,
including Transport, Housing, Economic, and Health
strategies.
Action is not just taking place to prevent climate change but
also to adapt to the change which is already likely to happen,
especially to mitigate against increased rainfall through flood
prevention schemes, sustainable urban drainage systems, and
planning policies towards new development.
This is not just a Council process: local groups, businesses and
organisations from the public, private, voluntary and community
sectors have been active partners. The local community has also
been involved in establishing the Council’s priorities for action
through consultation forums such as the townships, tenants and
residents associations and youth forums.
Help tackle climate change
If everyone on the planet lived like us then we would
need three planets worth of natural resources such as oil,
coal and wood – the only way forward to for all of us to make
changes to our lifestyles to reduce using natural resources and cut
carbon emissions.
- Make sure your home is fully insulated and draught proof.
- Make sure your boiler is working well – and replace it if it’s
over 15 years old – new ones will save over 30%.
- Switch off other appliances when they are not in use – don’t
put them on standby.
- Install renewable technologies in your home.
- Walk or cycle for short journeys instead of taking the
car.
- Look for the energy saving logo and CO2 ratings for new
appliances and vehicle.
- Tell your friends and family about climate change and the need
to act now!
For more information on climate change contact The
Sustainability Team using the contact details in the right hand
column.