Letter: We Can Do More to Tackle the Climate Emergency, Even Without Government Help

Published on: 27 Jul, 2022
Updated on: 27 Jul, 2022

From: Sam Peters

Green Party spokesperson

In response to: Heatwave: The Dragon Asks Local Politicians Has Climate Change Action Stalled?

Quite simply, this government is doing nowhere near enough to tackle the climate emergency – in fact, it is going backwards.

We could create hundreds of thousands of green jobs, slash energy bills, end fuel poverty, and boost local economies by installing cheap, efficient renewables; insulating homes; and investing in energy efficiency.

Instead, “cutting the green crap” has cost billions, adding hundreds to every household’s energy bill annually. This government continues wasting billions more propping up polluting, expensive fossil fuels – and both prospective new prime ministers Sunak and Truss have pledged to make matters even worse.

While I recognise GBC is constrained by endless government funding cuts, we should be doing more. Greens on councils nationwide are leading the way on everything from home energy efficiency to rewilding to public transport.

Indeed, Waverley Borough Council, with Green councillor Steve Williams as Environment Lead, is surging ahead improving cycling and walking infrastructure, strengthening building regulations, building Passivehaus social housing, opposing local oil drilling in our countryside, and more.

Waverley’s climate plan was ranked fifth of all councils nationwide, so I hope closer integration with GBC can enable our council to better tackle the climate crisis and the related social, economic and health implications that affect us all.