When does a local emergency become so prevalent and widespread that it loses all affective and emotional force? Across the UK we have more than 230 local climate emergencies, and reached peak declaration around July.  Everyone's doing it, and, given what climate science and the evidence of our own individual senses are telling us, for very good reasons.

However, the trouble is words uttered without action are seen – fairly or otherwise – as utterances lacking in conviction.  In this battle, we don't have time to substitute symbols and hopeful yet empty promises for policy.