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We can all help to stop worst threat to Leighton
"The biggest threat to Leighton Buzzard's future is climate change." That's the message from a special display put on by South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth and local health store Nature's Harvest.
Following the recent disastrous flooding, the environmental day held at the North Street shop highlighted the simple and practical ways in which everyone can make a difference to the crisis of climate change, some of them as simple as buying a re-useable shopping bag rather than using throwaway plastic bags.
Members of South Beds FoE and Linslade resident Paul Brown, who is the former environment correspondent for the Guardian newspaper and author of a book on climate change, were present to answer questions and raise awareness of this pressing issue.
A raffle was held to support UK flood victims, with the 1st prize being Mr Brown's "GlobalWarning" book. The 2nd prize was an Ecover environmentally-friendly household cleaning hamper, and 3rd prize was Shared Earth bags for life with bottles of Thirsty Planet Mineral Water.
The display was also inspired by the work of Linslade resident Christina Johnson who has campaigned for a national disaster fund for the victims of flooding in this country.
She encouraged the Halifax Building Society to give 100,000 to this fund, put pressure on our politicians, and is keen that people do their bit to help prevent future flooding.
Mandy Ryder from Nature's Harvest said: "By teaming up with FoE, Nature's Harvest aims to promote the all-important message that the actions of each individual have a lasting effect on the environment.
"Our information point shows how we can 'clean up our act' with some simple lifestyle choices, from shopping locally, cutting energy use and recycling your environmentally friendly household cleaning products at our Ecover Refill Station."
Victoria Harvey from South Beds FoE says: "2006 was the hottest year on record and 2007 has been the wettest summer on record.
"Climate change is by far the biggest threat to the future of Leighton Buzzard, yet it is so easy to do something about it."
She urges people to make personal changes and also speak to local councillors.
"A green way of life is about quality of life and community," she continued.
"It means really good public transport and cycling so that you don't have to sit in traffic jams but can either take exercise or read the paper on the way to work. It means lower energy bills as houses are better insulated and use renewable energy. It means really good local food and local shops and lovely green spaces and trees to help save our wildlife and stop flooding.
"We are urging people to fill in the questionnaire on the plans for South Beds 'Shape your future' and tell the council. Even more important than the housing issue is the question of what will South Beds do about climate change.
"Leighton Buzzard is already moving in this direction. We have Nature’s Harvest , Greenways, the Fairtrade caf Barrista Sisters and the farmers market which all help us support a green lifestyle.”
For more information about how you can go green and on the work of South Beds Friends of the Earth visit the website www.southbedsfoe.co.uk.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
