There was a recent lovely scene of a family, parents and two young children, out enjoying a sunny day.

It was a happy scene but what does the future hold for those children if we continue moving toward environmental Armageddon?

The world has been slow to recognise the damage being done to the environment, which has caused the extinction of hundreds of species and the advance of climate change.

The future for those children and indeed for all of us is not a pleasant one if we continue on the present route. Great swathes of the inhabitated landmass will disappear under water, food and water shortages will abound and war become more prevalent. There will be a real danger of a return to the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest.

Political decision makers took a long time to act on the environmental threats. The mass of scientists have been warning of the consequences of not addressing the dangers but too many found it easier to be wooed by climate change deniers - often funded by those in the fossil fuel industries, who stood to lose most from a low emissions policy.

World leaders appeared to recognise the enormity of the challenge at the UN Paris Agreement of 2015. Countries committed to reduce emissions, keeping warming below two degrees. Yet today scientists warn the world is heading toward a rise of four degrees over the next 30 years.

The environment is simply not taken seriously enough by politicians. Climate change and other processes destructive to the environment are what threaten our future on the planet. It is a real threat, yet still these concerns are put on the back burner, indulged in the economic good times and jettisoned at times of hardship.

There needs to be serious action, a change in our whole way of life. A possible return to a more village-like existence. An existence where we grow more of our own food. Less use of carbon emitting devices like cars and planes. Old polluting cars need to be taken off the roads – they are killing our children. There should be pollution monitors on all of our schools.

The Mayor of London has set out a target for 80 per cent of journeys to be by foot, cycle or public transport by 2041.

Buildings should not be being built now that do not have zero carbon emissions. Beyond this, older properties need to be fitted with the technology to make them carbon neutral.

We need to start putting back some of the trees and plants that have been removed. It was encouraging to see that 15,000 trees are going to be planted under the Mayor’s scheme in Redbridge, but this work needs to be spread and accelerated.

There is much that can be done, these are just a few ideas. What is for sure is that the crisis is mounting. The world is way past the point where doing a bit is enough. Everyone has to take responsibility for themselves and the community beyond if those children mentioned earlier and everyone else are to enjoy the future.

  • Paul Donovan is a Redbridge councillor for Wanstead village and blogger.

See paulfdonovan.blogspot.com