MP answers questions about climate crisis
An invitation was sent and accepted by Andrew Griffith, our prospective new MP since the boundary changes. The date was set for 24th May. It turned out to be perfect timing as the election was announced earlier that week.
He came to answer questions on this life or death emergency that the Climate Crisis presents to us.
About 100 people attended the meeting which was chaired by Rupert Grey, local resident and chair of the Nekton Foundation, a not- for- profit research foundation and a UK registered charity established to accelerate the scientific exploration and protection of the oceans.
Andrew Griffith is clearly used to meeting constituents, and is known for making the effort to meet local people, even if they, as in this instance, didn’t all see things as he does.
The questions were far reaching……
Until recently, Britain was the World leader in responding to the Climate Crisis. We were the first country in the World to pass climate change legislation in 2008, and we were the first major economy to pass net zero emissions law in 2019. Between 1990 and 2016 we reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 41%. These are impressive achievements. However, three years ago the Conservative government had an abrupt change of direction and a reversal of policy, with a watering down of targets, coupled with the granting of oil licences, without raising carbon tax. There was a reduction of subsidies for renewables, and increase of subsidies for the fossil fuel industry - £2bn in 2021 for new extraction and mining. This is completely inconsistent with your Government’s stated intent to put net zero at the heart of its policy decisions. The question was WHY? What has gone wrong?
Why does the Government not insist on carbon neutral new housing with solar/heat pumps/ grey water storage – and separate drainage systems for sewage and rain water?
Why, in the Government is there little enthusiasm for Community Energy? Why is the National Grid not geared up for this?
Investment in renewables is a once in a century economic opportunity, and the best chance we have of preserving our climate, and of putting Britain on its feet in economic terms. YET the Government is cutting down on its support for investment in renewable energy, onshore wind, carbon capture, carbon tax, and energy efficiency.
As Lord Nicholas Stern, who attended the meeting, put in his review, “This is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen”. We are missing the one chance we have to row back from the climate crisis. The Stern Review’s main conclusion is that the benefits of strong, early action on climate change far outweigh the costs of not acting. The Review points to the potential impacts of climate change on water resources, food production, health, and the environment.
Andrew was asked if he agreed that this opportunity to rebuild Britain’s economic status and wealth, and to lead the way for other nations, should be seized?
There was a clear sense in the room of both learning and listening, that hearts and minds had been challenged, and that brought even more into focus, the real urgency of the Climate Crisis and the survival of all life on earth.
Also, there was a sense that there is an absolute need to put the Climate Crisis as our top priority when voting on 4th July. Let us make our votes count.
