Green campaigner Jill Bruce, the lead climate ambassador for the Essex Federation of Women’s Institutes, challenges you to take on her Climate Crisis Quiz.

Q1. Is the climate crisis real, or not real?

a) Not real, it was a hoax invented by China to wind up Donald Trump. When Trump leaves office, China will stop posting all that fake news about forest fires and floods around the world.

b) Real, but nothing to worry about. It’s not going to be a problem for hundreds of years.

c) Real and getting worse faster than expected. We need stronger policies in the UK and around the world now.

Q2. Is the climate crisis manmade?

a) No, it’s entirely made by women, all that unnecessary vacuuming, ironing and hair drying.

b) No, it’s just natural variation. Some years have always been hotter than others.

c) Yes, burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests has created the climate crisis

Q3. How soon do we need to stop deforestation and burning fossil fuels to keep warming at a safe level?

a) I like it warm. Let’s keep on heating the planet.

b) That’s something for the great grandchildren to worry about.

c) Less than ten years before we reach a tipping point when humans can no longer stop storms, floods, heatwaves and droughts becoming ever more frequent and severe, destroying our homes and crops.

Q4. Why should we try to reach net zero carbon emissions if other countries aren’t?

a) There’s no point in trying. Let’s go for broke and see what happens.

b) We started the industrial revolution which created the problem. We have the technology and could easily lead the green revolution to solve it.

c) Many other countries are trying to reach net zero carbon emissions. China has pledged to by 2060, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Spain France, New Zealand by 2050. Joe Biden has promised this is a priority for America when he takes office on January 20. Some countries have already achieved net zero

Q5. Is it all down to the politicians to sort it out? Do I need to change my way of life?

a) I hear they are cutting down forests to grow soy and palm oil, so I’m just going to eat meat and nothing else from now on.

b) If it’s down to the politicians then we are all doomed.

c) Every one of us can make the difference, just by eating more vegetables and less meat and dairy, (it takes up to 17kg soy to produce 1 kg of beef), switching to a renewable only electricity tariff, walking more and driving less.

Q6. What do you think of the flooding we are getting in the summer as well as the winter now?

a) Brilliant fun. I love splashing in muddy puddles.

b) It’s not great for people whose homes get flooded, or for wildlife and farmers.

c) An example of the increasing severe weather events we are going to have to learn to live with.

Q7. The Met Office say long hot summers like 2018 will soon become normal in the UK. Will you:

a) Keep flying to the Mediterranean, but book an air-conditioned hotel.

b) Fly somewhere cold for your summer holiday.

c) Explore the beautiful parts of the UK, preferably by train

Q8. Is the Government doing enough? What else would you like to see them do?

a) Mop up the floods.

b) They did put out a ten-point plan a few weeks ago, but it all seemed to be a wishlist without any real commitment to action.

c) Set out policies for immediate action on the climate crisis in the New Year. For example, make all new homes zero carbon, so that they are healthier, more comfortable and cheaper to live in.

Q9. What is COP26?

a) A long-running police series.

b) The latest Government cop out?

c) Our turn to host the UN Conference of Parties, the United Nations conference on how 200 countries around the world are going to tackle climate change, being held in Glasgow in November 2021.

If you answered:

Mostly “a” - It’s possible you’re getting your news from unreliable sources. Stick with the Gazette and ignore social media, except as comic entertainment.

Mostly “b” - The world is changing faster than you’ve noticed. If you start looking and listening out for climate news, it will help you get ready for the changes that are coming your way.

Mostly “c” - Brilliant result! You can see the problem and you know the solutions. Please help by talking to friends and family about what we could all do to help. Happy New Year!