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Climate change

Protecting High Peak's Natural Beauty: A Summer of Wildfires and Climate Change

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As temperatures rise and dry conditions persist, the Peak District is becoming increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, threatening the natural beauty and wildlife of the region. Last month's devastating wildfire in the Goyt Valley, which engulfed an area the size of 325 football pitches, serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on our local environment. With visitor numbers increasing, the risk of human-started wildfires is higher than ever, and it's imperative that we take action to prevent them.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Goyt Valley wildfire, which occurred last month, engulfed an area roughly the size of 325 football pitches, causing long-term damage to the land and wildlife.
  • Climate change is driving increasingly frequent periods of warm and dry weather, making the Moorland around High Peak increasingly vulnerable to wildfires.
  • High Peak MP Jon Pearce has raised the issue of wildfires in the House of Commons, pressing the Government to look at how to better protect areas like High Peak from their devastating impacts.
  • Jon Pearce has been working with local retailers, with Sainsbury's and Morrisons agreeing to remove disposable barbecues from sale across High Peak this year, while Aldi, Lidl, and M&S have announced a nationwide ban.
  • Jon Pearce has launched a petition calling on other retailers in High Peak to stop selling disposable barbecues, urging people to add their names to protect the environment and preserve the natural beauty of High Peak.
  • The petition can be found at: https://www.jon4highpeak.com/petition-stop-selling-disposable-bbqs/.

Statistics:

  • The Goyt Valley wildfire engulfed an area of approximately 325 football pitches.
  • The risk of human-started wildfires is higher than ever, due to increasing visitor numbers and dry conditions.
  • Climate change is driving increasingly frequent periods of warm and dry weather, making the Moorland around High Peak vulnerable to wildfires.
  • Sainsbury's and Morrisons have agreed to remove disposable barbecues from sale across High Peak this year.
  • Aldi, Lidl, and M&S have announced a nationwide ban on disposable barbecues.

Sources:

  • Jon Pearce, High Peak MP, in a recent column and in the House of Commons.
  • https://www.jon4highpeak.com/petition-stop-selling-disposable-bbqs/.

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