Ok, so, after the simply wonderful Olympics – and yet again the fantastic BBC coverage of it – reality hit us all the very next day.

On Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that it was now beyond any scientific doubt that human influence has warmed the atmosphere.

The only person for whom this provided some relief was former Conservative PM David Cameron, who found himself and his dealings with Greensill Capital relegated to second place in the TV headlines. By comparison to the threat to our planet, a chap making the odd million out of a collapsing company, while also lobbying on its behalf for Covid relief aid from the Chancellor, just seemed like another day in the Tory office. Which of course it was.

Simultaneously, at least there was the benefit of putting one of Cameron’s political heroes, ex-Chancellor Nigel Lawson, back in the box of mad frogs with all the other climate change deniers. No Nigel, even scientists from Russia, China and Saudi Arabia now concede that if you dig or pump fossil fuels out of the ground for a couple of centuries, ignite it and allow the emissions to escape unfiltered, then even as miraculous a planet as Earth is going to choke.

So bleak news, but the better news is the appetite of all sensible people to do their bit. At East Devon District Council one of the first actions I took as new Leader back in Spring 2020 was to change the Cabinet structure. We now have a portfolio holder for Climate Action, Cllr Marianne Rixson, brilliantly assisted by Cllr Denise Bickley. Their first action, working with our enthusiastic officers, was to make sure we recruited a new member of staff to oversee the council’s work in trying to mitigate climate change.

We also have a superb portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment, Cllr Geoff Jung, with another knowledgeable assistant, Cllr Eleanor Rylance. Their brief involves the fight in the here and now: how we try to electrify our vehicles as soon and as sustainably as possible, how to encourage the planting of thousands more trees across the district at various sites etc.

In all of this work we will be cooperating closely with our allies at County Hall and friends at other Devon district councils. And with our MPs too. I believe that both Simon Jupp and Neil Parish are utterly sincere in their own worries about this, and this is where more good news may be emerging. For as we recover from the pandemic, the government is committed to a Clean Growth agenda as part of its “Building Back Better” plan. I and all our councillors want to work closely with Simon and Neil on this.

This is all complex of course, but the evidence supports this approach. In a nationally published report this week it is claimed by analysts kMatrix that already the low carbon sector is worth £205.7 billion in the UK. Compare this to the worth of all manufacturing at £55.6 billion and construction at £132.4 billion.

This is really promising, but we will all have to do our bit. All those pleas to reduce energy use, insulate your homes, turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees, use the white goods less often, is now something we must all now do in our own homes.

For the young, the change is already in hand. None of my four children even own a car. They get around on bikes and public transport. Of course they may need to hire a vehicle for the odd weekend away, but they are quids in while drastically reducing their emissions.

So, it’s in our own hands now, and I would like to offer you a personal reassurance that the district council - which we are grateful you pay for through your council tax - will be with you every step of the way.