CHIPPENHAM and the country is just 12 years away from a climate disaster that will see ‘severe consequences’ according to a speaker at a meeting on Monday.

Change expert Nikki Jones, warned of how greenhouse gases from carbon emissions was behind the potential doomsday scenario and that drastic action needed to take place.

She was speaking at the Climate Emergency Talk in Chippenham Town Hall on March 18 in which there was a call to declare a climate emergency in the town.

Nikki is a researcher, writer and journalist on oil, gas and energy. The meeting was chaired by Nick Murry of Zero Chippenham, who said he will soon be putting a motion before the town council to declare a the climate emergency.

At the meeting Cllr Ruth Lloyd dressed as a polar bear greeted members of the public as they arrived.

Cllr Nick Murry, who chaired the meeting said: “Town councillors and members of the public gathered to hear climate change speaker Nikki Jones, Pete West of Wessex Community Energy and other speakers talk about the challenge and solutions to the climate crisis, now being called a climate emergency by many.”

He said there was a need to overcome society’s addiction to fossil fuels and explained how the International Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming, published last October, had essentially “moved the goal posts.”

In fact he said a temperature rise of more than 1.5 degrees was no longer considered safe, and would require more urgent action.

Delving into the science and describing the scientific consensus behind climate change, Nikki Jones explained that the world has just 12 years to radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or we will face severe adverse consequences.

Renewable energy expert, Alex Lockton spoke about the practical action being taken by local group Zero Chippenham, working in partnership with Wessex Community Energy towards practical solutions to reduce Chippenham’s carbon footprint.

In a moving speech, Poppy Jabelman, a sixth form student from Sheldon School, addressed the Council members present saying that “In twelve years it will be too late. The time to act is now.”

Speaking about the recent school climate strikes, she said “It is simply unfair that thousands of students must take to the streets and scream for your attention. The youth has spoken.”