Planet Devon

The region's wildlife trusts are leading the way in highlighting the effects of climate change, with a pioneering campaign aimed at showing us what we can all do to help.

The South West Wildlife Trusts (SWWT), which includes the Devon Wildlife Trust, is holding a Climate Friendly Fortnight in September 2007.

Events are taking place across the region, and the conservation charity wants as many people as possible to be involved.

The Devon group (DWT) has already started to raise public awareness about how the changing climate is affecting the county's wildlife.

Butterflies are among the species being monitored

The trust is monitoring changes to four key species over the coming years: hedgehogs, dormice, moles and Red Admiral butterflies.

Some creatures might fare better, but others could decline.

From 15-30 September, Climate Friendly Fortnight comes to towns and villages across the South West.

More than 200 events are taking place, to highlight the issue and illustrate ways we can meet the climate change challenge.

The SWW has appointed a new Climate Change Champion, Jane Laurie. She says the floods of this summer show that we must all act soon - or we can expect further extreme weather in the years to come.

"The forecasts are worrying, especially when we're surrounded by evidence of what unusual weather means. But they aren't inevitable.

"There are many cheap and easy steps that ordinary people can take to bring their carbon emissions down, and help wildlife at the same time.

Climate change champion Jane Laurie

"During Climate Friendly Fortnight, we will be highlighting some of the positive actions that are already being taken, and inspiring others to take action, too.

"We've all seen how lives and livelihoods are upturned by overflowing rivers and floods. It's heart-breaking.

"And wildlife also suffers when rain lashes down, rivers overflow, the sun blazes, or drought strikes – exactly the conditions we've been warned to expect if our carbon emissions aren't reduced."

Climate Friendly Fortnight will include open days at some of the sites, where grand-scale projects are underway - to give wildlife 'escape routes' from places that become inhospitable, and to provide them with replacement havens and new territories.

There will also be demonstrations of 'quick climate fixes', such as wildlife gardening and home composting.

In addition, a team of volunteer climate champions has been assembled to locate homes, gardens, businesses and other premises where visitors can see climate-friendly living in action.

The climate champions will also support communities who want to run their own Climate Friendly Fortnight events.

Jane Laurie said: "We're keen to get as many people as possible to realise that if the climate can change, we can change too, and that many of the most effective changes are cheaper, easier and more effective than they might have thought."

To find out how to get involved with Climate Friendly Fortnight, or order a campaign action pack, telephone Jane Laurie on 07818 045 198 or email: climate@swwt.org.uk

You can also visit the website, linked from this page.