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September 2020 September 2020

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE DORSET COUNCIL- WEST PURBECK REPORT

MORE HOT DOG DAYS!!!! Draft Climate and Ecological

What was I saying last month about it Emergency Strategy
not being hot enough? What was I
thinking, I take it back. It’s been hot This has now been published, and a
enough this month. The Tomatoes are target date for carbon neutrality set at
ripening fast and the house stinks of 2040. Dorset Council (DC) has published
Tomato and Chili chutney. My owner the first draft of their Climate and
has grown magnificent tomatoes ‘Big Ecological Emergency strategy which is
Boys,’ ‘Money Maker,’ and Sungold. available online.
Thanks to Andy Smith from Since the Council declared a Climate
Briantspuddle who provided the plants. It is a pity, there are no village shows to and Ecological Emergency back in May
show chutney’ vegetables and Flower arrangements. My owner was very taken 2019, teams of councillors and officers have been working hard via dedicated
with her special odd shaped Big Boy but he has gone to a chutney pot in heaven sector Task & Finish groups to devise this strategy, which will provide the direction,
now. scope and ambition of the Council’s action plan to address climate change
Things are starting again. There is to be a flower club meeting in September but across Dorset. This strategy brings together a considerable amount of work and
this has involved a change of venue to Winterborne Whitechurch. There will be recommends areas for action that will deliver a realistic and achievable
quite a bit of reorganizing. The speaker on the stage, maximum of 30 people, approach to ensuring Dorset Council (DC) is carbon-neutral by 2040, a full
socially distanced, wearing masks, sanitizer, cleaning and no refreshments but it decade ahead of the UK government’s 2050 target for the whole country.
was felt they must make a start to finding the new normal. For me, it’s back to Recommendations from the strategy document include (but are not limited to):
being left at home alone.

It has been so hot. I have been brushed and taken to the stream for a cool off. If
I lie down I can get most of me under Maximise renewable energy opportunities of all DC buildings; convert all off-grid
water. There are lots of Mums and DC buildings to heat pumps or biomass, convert heating of all on-grid buildings to
children down by the bridge in the hydrogen-ready hybrid heat pumps, install largest possible capacity solar arrays
Stream. I don’t think they like being on every building.
disturbed Construct large renewable energy installation on Council-owned land to meet
by a hot Council’s demand.
d o g
wanting a Ensure Dorset Council supports sustainable development by prioritising social and
cool off. environmental well-being as well as economic value.
My dog
w a l k e r Carry out internal waste audits across our operations and create waste reduction
takes me plans.
to Sue Increase biodiversity on identified areas of Council land and increase area of
Steggals garden where I can have exclusive use of Council owned or managed land for ecological & carbon sequestration
the stream there. outcomes.
At the ice cream van I was treated to ‘old sock’ Change as many vehicles within Council fleet as possible to ultra-low-carbon
flavour dog Ice cream. Very nice but I prefer vanilla. replacements. Provide electric vehicle charging points and other ultra-low-
That’s my owner’s favourite. She laughs as she meets emission fuel alternatives across the Council property estate.

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