I VAGUELY recall a programme on TV, perhaps 40, 45 years ago, about the risk of climate change. We watched it like a horror movie, enthralled but unbelieving. What was being discussed seemed too far-fetched and terrifying to be true.

I recall images of starving people, huge waves of water crashing over land, whole forests immersed in water.

We were shocked and intrigued, but then the papers filled with reports from naysayers calling the scientists out as fake, starting in the process of muddying the waters, dismissing the argument.

Since then, life took over and at pace.

Everything became easier, faster and more abundant.

The full force of consumerism took hold and we were all swept along on an indulgent tsunami of greed.

Instead of shopping daily, we started shopping for the week.

Instead of carrying heavy baskets till full, we were given trolleys with wheels that we filled to abundance, buying far more than we needed.

Instead of cooking daily, we started buying ready meals – more expensive but filled with flavour enhancers, very tasty.

Instead of a walk to the chip shop for a treat, we started to call and get what we wanted brought straight to our door.

Instead of wondering about food from other countries, we fly directly and eat it in situ!

Instead of eating ‘fish on Friday’, we eat what we want when we want.

Whose fault is all this? We are all responsible. It doesn’t have to be like this.

Our actions and the choices we make can and will have a profound effect on the global environment in the future. We have the power to change and it’s in our pockets.

And if, like King Canute, our leaders sit at the seashore and command the elements to change, and do nothing, we have power here as well. We can vote them out.