Threads Through Sheffield

“These foresight scenarios are based on plausible future changes in social values and governance systems.”(Hillman, M. ‘How We Can Save the Planet’, Penguin Group, London, 2004) p47

“Sheffield a city on the move…” can be heard in the opening scenes of the cult 1997 film: The Full Monty, where a 1970’s council promotional video is applauding the great steps into the future the South Yorkshire city was making. Little did they know how literal this is turning out to be…”Global climate change is also leading to changes in the seasonal behaviour and geographical location of fauna and flora. The change in temperature is equivalent to the UK moving south at 20 metres a day.”(Hillman, M. ‘How We Can Save the Planet’, Penguin Group, London, 2004)Rose Migration - Sheffield to Milan in 100 yearsThe map is a doctored google earth image which illustrates how far Sheffield would move if travelling at 20 metres a day.100 years can be considered quite some time, especially when you think where human kind was 100 years ago in 1908. None the less, the environment is changing on a daily basis and we must face the fact that we are directly and indirectly responsible for the last 100 years substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions, but more importantly, also for the next 100 years and beyond of emissions.Even though some environmental disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis can happen in an instant, changes to climate happen relatively slowly which means that any ‘answer’ to climate change won’t be seen over night as some greenhouse gases take hundreds of years to naturally disappear from our atmosphere. Unfortunately the chain of events that has led to this current state started over 100 years ago in the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, but carries on today in ever more energy intensive lifestyles. Further demands on the 21st Century Western lifestyle may mean a city like Sheffield may have Milan’s climate sooner than we think, if a collective response isn’t implemented immediately.

I have just found a scrap of paper in my pocket with the words: “Full Circle, Natalie Taylor” scribbled on it. Not remembering why or when I wrote this note to myself, I did what any other 21st Century person would do…. and googled. And it all came back to me.