John Gummer MP for Suffolk Coastal recently chaired a large meeting at the Suffolk Show Ground encouraging Suffolk to become the greenest county.

Here at Thornham we try to demonstrate sustainable lifestyles.  We recently held a day at the Centre where we invited local residents to come and learn about the problems which climate change may bring and what they can do about it.

We learnt that at Thornham we are starting to notice the effects of a warming climate.  Trees are coming into leaf earlier and our veteran oaks are retaining their foliage well into December.  This year we recorded White Admiral butterflies for the first time - a species that is responding to warmer summers by extending its range northwards.

Climate change will give us challenges for the future management of our habitats.  Birds and insects can respond to a warming climate by moving northwards to remain in optimum conditions. Plants are far less mobile and need extensive and connected habitats if they are to survive.  We need to start planning for this now.  Tree planting on the Estate also needs to reflect the likely climate in 50 or 100 years time when the trees are reaching maturity.  For example by 2050 conditions may no longer be suitable for beech to be grown as timber in eastern England.

For more details of Suffolk - the greenest county see

http://www.greensuffolk.org/