1. Rotary and the Environment Our environment, locally, nationally and globally is facing critical challenges that affect us all. For example:  The effects of Global Warming, both natural and manmade.  Energy Security in the UK and the use of new energy resources  Water shortages and the impact on crop yields,  Increased incidence of flooding  Destruction of natural habitats and their faunas,  Increased pollution from chemicals and human waste. Rotary can take a lead on all these issues The District Environment Officer Every district in RIBI has appointed a district environment officer, DEO, whose responsibilities and activities include: Acting as the specialist advisor on environmental and sustainability activities and a point of liaison with the District by the RIBI Environmental Sustainability Group. Provide advice and guidance to the District Team and all clubs in the wider District in the development of environmental programmes and projects Work as part of the District Community Services Committee (Resource Group) and ensure personal involvement in District Assemblies. Raise awareness in the district of the major environmental challenges by visiting clubs to talk about these challenges and also speaking at district meetings. Encourage Clubs, through visits, to develop and incorporate environmental and sustainability projects into their programme. Promote the RIBI Environment Awards scheme and encourage the establishment of similar schemes at Club and District level Encourage Rotarians to minimise their personal environmental footprints Support the RIBI Environmental Sustainability Group projects, participate in meetings and share good practice with other District Environment Officers To find out more or book a talk. Contact: Dr. Bob Thurlby DEO D1260 RIBI Email: bob@thurlby.me.ukbob@thurlby.me.uk Tel (m): 07531782527

2. Invite your District Environment Officer to speak at a club meeting; he has produced a set of short talks, many of which are based on his own professional and personal experiences, which are aimed at raising awareness about nature these challenges and separating the facts from the myths. Learn More About the Major Environmental Challenges Climate Change and Global Warming How real is the threat of increased carbon dioxide levels causing dramatic changes to our climate and can we do anything about it? Or is it all scare stories? This talk attempts to sort fact from the fiction. Wind Power Wind mills……… Can they solve our looming energy crisis and will they reduce our carbon emissions? Or are they an expensive waste of money. Fracking What is fracking? How does the technology work and can it solve our energy crisis? But what are the risks and can they be managed? Sharks and Shark Finning How do you feel about chopping off the fins of 250 million sharks each year and what is the impact of doing this? As an experienced diver your DEO will give his views and tell you about diving with sharks and living to tell the tale! Sand Dams Sand Dams are a cheap, simple low tech and effective way of improving water supply in arid climates So what are they, how do they work and how can your club, like other clubs, sponsor them? Cowspiracy Is this the latest issue for the green lobby? In a new DVD they claim that eating beef will destroy the planet because cows produce methane, a much more harmful greenhouse than CO 2. Their solution is that we all become vegan. This talk reviews the evidence and separates science from mythology. Elephant Rescue 50,000 mature elephants each year are being killed for their ivory, with their babies left starve to death. I have helped a charity who rescue these orphans by adopting one. This talk graphically describes elephant poaching and its results and how we as Rotarians can do something to help stop it. The short answer is “lots and lots of things”. You may think that for example not leaving your TV on standby or walking to your local shop as opposed to driving will make much difference and you are right, it won’t! But if everyone starts doing then the overall impact becomes significant. Here are some tried and tested ideas to get you started. What Can Individuals and Clubs to Help Improve the Environment? Individually Switch off appliances when not in use and do not leave them on standby Know which appliances use most power and use them less – tumble driers are a good place to start. Reduce the thermostat setting on your central heating by 1 0 C Recycle as much as possible Fit water saving devices on toilets and taps Maintain your car regularly and drive economically – better still use the car less and walk more. Minimise food miles. Insulate, insulate, insulate!! Rotary Clubs Learn about environmental issues so you can talk about them objectively and factually. Spread the word throughout your community to individuals and through other local organisations. Identify projects that will improve your local environment Tree planting Litter picking Community gardens Rotary spring clean Rotary lend-a-hand Initiate recycling projects – especially with local schools