I walked into the debate held in a room with day light coming in from two sides, yet all the lights were on. We sat at tables surrounded with a mountain of paper, much of it only printed on one side and none of it on recycled paper.

So my original optimism faded, thinking if the council can't act to protect our planet with simple gestures like using recycled paper, providing an affordable and reliable bus service, using locally produced building materials and hybrid cars, then what hope do we have trusting in them to tackle this huge issue?

The audience were all concerned and extremely enthusiastic in their minds of what was needed to be done, but instead of harnessing this, Councillors showed presentation after presentation of what could be done, what other people are doing, but not what we are actually doing here in Nottingham now.

We all need to work together to tackle the greatest threat the planet has ever faced. Lets hope the council now empowers and involves community groups, NGOs and residents of Nottingham in working with them to turn this rhetoric into reality.