News information
- 17th
January 2007:
From the Manx NFU & Isle of Man Friends of the Earth
Are empty shelves a taste of things to come?
The bad weather experienced over the last week has shown just how important food security is to the Isle of Man. With strong winds and high seas the boat has been unable to travel, and many people have been faced by empty shelves as they've struggled to shop.
Howard Quayle, president of the Manx National Farmers' Union, says, "The Manx NFU has always believed passionately that local food production is essential to the food security of the Isle of Man. With the Steam Packet not sailing shelves have been emptying, and people have been forced to search for basic things to eat.
"The Manx NFU is working hard to find ways in which Manx farming can thrive in the future to ensure the food security of every Manx person. With climate change set to make the situation worse it has never been more important for Manx people to support local producers to ensure the future of our food supply."
Isle of Man Friends of Earth agrees: Phil Corlett, FoE's co-ordinator, said, "Climate change is already hitting the Isle of Man's economy, but the high seas we're experiencing now are positively light in terms of what's predicted for the future. The Met. Office says that this winter's winds are the worst and most sustained on record - but within a generation a few days without the boat might become weeks or months."
The climate has always changed, and temperature fluctuations have been recorded throughout the planet's history. However the vast acceleration of this cycle of global warming has a proven and scientifically accepted link to human activity - in particular to CO2 emissions.
CO2 is active in our atmosphere for 30-40 years, so we are now suffering the effect of CO2 released in the 1960s and 70s. CO2 emissions have increased dramatically since then, so we know the situation will get worse. While talks are being held around the world to find ways of cutting emissions, we will not feel the benefit of those cuts until around 2040.
Howard Quayle said, "Everyone should be making a personal commitment to lowering their own CO2 emissions - known as their carbon footprint. One easy way to reduce emissions is to buy local, therefore reducing the food miles between farmers and retailer. But that isn't enough. A reduction in CO2 emissions today will not be felt for a long time - and in the meantime our weather will worsen, the winds will get stronger, and the seas will be rougher.
"As an Island nation we must protect ourselves against the weather - and this means that food production and the variety of food available on the Island must both increase.
"Manx farmers are working hard to achieve this - but we ask local people to choose our products - in order to ensure that Isle of Man farming and Isle of Man food exists in the years to come."
END
PLEASE CONTACT: Howard Quayle on 496 038
Any problems please call ffinlo Costain on 490 327
NOTE 1:
HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT THE ISLAND:
On the Isle of Man we should expect:
An increase in the number of excessively hot days.
Heavier monsoon-like rain.
High winds, storms and gales.
This could lead to:
Extreme flooding and storm damage
Severe soil erosion from dry conditions and high winds
Widespread risk of fire (Bradda mountain has already been devastated by a fire that lasted five days in 2004)
Heat related illness and deaths
From the Manx NFU & Isle of Man Friends of the Earth
Are empty shelves a taste of things to come?
The bad weather experienced over the last week has shown just how important food security is to the Isle of Man. With strong winds and high seas the boat has been unable to travel, and many people have been faced by empty shelves as they've struggled to shop.
Howard Quayle, president of the Manx National Farmers' Union, says, "The Manx NFU has always believed passionately that local food production is essential to the food security of the Isle of Man. With the Steam Packet not sailing shelves have been emptying, and people have been forced to search for basic things to eat.
"The Manx NFU is working hard to find ways in which Manx farming can thrive in the future to ensure the food security of every Manx person. With climate change set to make the situation worse it has never been more important for Manx people to support local producers to ensure the future of our food supply."
Isle of Man Friends of Earth agrees: Phil Corlett, FoE's co-ordinator, said, "Climate change is already hitting the Isle of Man's economy, but the high seas we're experiencing now are positively light in terms of what's predicted for the future. The Met. Office says that this winter's winds are the worst and most sustained on record - but within a generation a few days without the boat might become weeks or months."
The climate has always changed, and temperature fluctuations have been recorded throughout the planet's history. However the vast acceleration of this cycle of global warming has a proven and scientifically accepted link to human activity - in particular to CO2 emissions.
CO2 is active in our atmosphere for 30-40 years, so we are now suffering the effect of CO2 released in the 1960s and 70s. CO2 emissions have increased dramatically since then, so we know the situation will get worse. While talks are being held around the world to find ways of cutting emissions, we will not feel the benefit of those cuts until around 2040.
Howard Quayle said, "Everyone should be making a personal commitment to lowering their own CO2 emissions - known as their carbon footprint. One easy way to reduce emissions is to buy local, therefore reducing the food miles between farmers and retailer. But that isn't enough. A reduction in CO2 emissions today will not be felt for a long time - and in the meantime our weather will worsen, the winds will get stronger, and the seas will be rougher.
"As an Island nation we must protect ourselves against the weather - and this means that food production and the variety of food available on the Island must both increase.
"Manx farmers are working hard to achieve this - but we ask local people to choose our products - in order to ensure that Isle of Man farming and Isle of Man food exists in the years to come."
END
PLEASE CONTACT: Howard Quayle on 496 038
Any problems please call ffinlo Costain on 490 327
NOTE 1:
HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT THE ISLAND:
On the Isle of Man we should expect:
An increase in the number of excessively hot days.
Heavier monsoon-like rain.
High winds, storms and gales.
This could lead to:
Extreme flooding and storm damage
Severe soil erosion from dry conditions and high winds
Widespread risk of fire (Bradda mountain has already been devastated by a fire that lasted five days in 2004)
Heat related illness and deaths
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