Anyone who has witnessed the wind getting up before a storm must appreciate the raw power of nature.

Take the sea, a millpond one day, the next a raging mass of destructive energy.

The human being is supposed to be the most intelligent creature on earth, yet has developed an arrogance that means it believes nature can be subdued.

Natural disasters, which seem to be becoming ever more commonplace, should remind all that we are subject to a greater force.

It is the arrogance of the human being that has in large part led to man-made climate change. A refusal to live at one, respecting nature, in the way so many civilisations have done stretching back in time.

So in order to tackle climate change seriously, there needs to be a realignment of human beings' relationship with the planet.

Climate change has gone so far now that drastic action is needed. It is no good making tokenistic gestures toward living a more sustainable life.

There is a need for fundamental change.

The plastics revolution points the way. The urgency of the situation has spurred dramatic action. People are looking to completely cut plastic out of their lives. The mindset has moved from 'it's ok to use plastic, if it's recycled', to not using plastic at all.

This type of approach needs to be taken up in the wider battle against climate change. People need to get back to living a simpler way of life that is not so destructive to the planet.

This means stopping using fossil fuels, moving to renewable energy sources.

More trees need to be planted to restore our woodlands and cut the carbon dioxide levels.

There needs to be a drastic reduction in the use of damaging modes of transport to get around.

The Mayor of London has set a target of 80 per cent of journeys being by foot, cycle or public transport by 2041. He wants to see London’s transport emissions down to zero by 2051.

Electric cars and other non-emission creating technologies can help contribute to such a goal, as can better pedestrian and cycling networks.

Londoners could also adopt the LOAF (Local Organic Animal Friendly) principles regarding what they consume.

Wanstead councillors are committed to creating an environmental charter for our area. This would seek to create the first part of a framework for living in a more sustainable, earth-friendly way.

Wanstead is already a green area but more can be done, particularly to address issues like pollution and emissions.

On Thursday October 25, there will be a public meeting at Wanstead library, when people will have the chance to hear some of the ideas for an environmental charter, as well as why we need to act now to address the ongoing environmental destruction. Speakers will include Shirley Rodrigues, London’s deputy mayor for the environment and energy, Cllr John Howard, Redbridge Council cabinet member for civic pride, Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer, Samantha Mason, author of Just Transition and Energy Democracy, Susie Knox from Wild Wanstead, and me. All are welcome to contribute to this vital debate and help shape the new environmental charter.

  • Paul Donovan is a Redbridge councillor for Wanstead village and blogger. See paulfdonovan.blogspot.com