MANY people look at climate change as something which is happening elsewhere, an issue which has little effect on us in Cornwall.

They say there is little we can do to avert the dangers that rising sea levels and floods can bring to us.

However, a new group spearheaded by Truro Cathedral, is saying that something can be done, and quickly.

The Footsteps to Copenhagen Project, is asking everyone to sign a document they are calling the Cornish Declaration.

The Cornish Declaration is being launched at Truro Cathedral at a special event on October 9, when a number of specialist speakers will give their views and lead discussions on how climate change will affect Cornwall.

The project has a Wellington boot as its symbol to warn people of rising sea levels and the danger of flooding.

The West Briton is among the organisations supporting the efforts to get people engaged and switched on.

Just last week Cornwall Council pledged its support for the Cornish Declaration on climate change and are calling on the prime minister to put pressure on world leaders at the Copenhagen climate summit in December to agree decisive measures to cut carbon emissions.

Councillors endorsed the Cornish Declaration which calls on the Government to forge an agreement among all nations to limit the increase in temperature of the planet to below two degrees Celsius. The declaration encourages people and organisations to support action to ensure that Cornwall is part of a planet which lives within its means so that families and communities survive to enjoy the county and beauty of Cornwall.

This includes making specific pledges that strive to restore the balance between nature and society and lead sustainable lives.

The group has looked at climate change and what we in Cornwall can do about it.

"Most scientists now agree one thing; we are at the beginning of a crisis," says Luci Scholes, who is coordinating the project.

"We know we can do something about this crisis if we start acting now."

Fifty representatives of organisations from local authorities, charities, churches, political parties and educational establishments agreed to support these objectives.

A planning group was set up consisting of Canon Philip Lambert (Truro Cathedral), Claire Eason-Bassett (Event Cornwall), Oliver Baines (Groundswell/Transition Ladock), Howard Curnow (Cornwall Wildlife Trust), Bert Biscoe (Cornwall & Truro City councillor), Phyllis Reddock (WI), Robin Sellwood (Transition Truro/Truro Cathedral), Sarah Wetherill (Transition Truro), Lindsay Southcombe (FOE/Green Party), Jemma Roberts (Coast).

The Footsteps to Copenhagen Project aims to raise awareness amongst local people of the United Nations climate change negotiations to be held in December in Copenhagen, and deliver a message from the people of Cornwall to our Government about the need to make the necessary commitment

Many events are being planned to highlight The Cornish Declaration.

After the Cathedral event on October 9 there will be marches and a cycle rally, from Penzance to Saltash, between October 24 and 31.

The activities will lead up to the delivery of the declaration and pledges to No 10, Downing Street, on December 5, Climate Chaos Coalition Day.

The organisers want as many people and organisations as possible to sign on line by November 30. http://www.trurocathedral.org.uk/hot-topics

From this week people can sign up to carbon cutting pledges in the cathedral. The declaration sums up how we will strive to make less of an impact on our resources, which in turn affect the climate.

Pledges will be easy one-phone-call or one-step tasks that will lead to a great carbon cutting exercise.

"This is a really exciting opportunity for individuals to make an impact on some of the most important decisions the United Nations will ever make," says Mrs Scholes.

The West Briton will be keeping you updated with stories on the effects of climate change, and what people in Cornwall are doing about it.