Talking Politics column with Coun Ashley Evans: Let’s take a ‘can do’ approach to climate change

Climate conscious broadsheets referred to summer fuel poverty, UK houses overheating, stretched emergency services and large numbers of UK residents dying of “heat-related conditions”.

But The Telegraph said we should give up on “net zero” and enjoy the UK’s new Mediterranean climate! Then they accuse environmental groups of using “climate catastrophism as a leftist weapon, to destroy capitalism”, whilst suggesting the big corporations should drill for more North Sea oil.

Populist politicians, like Reform UK’s Richard Tice, claim, amongst other things, that “there is a direct link between renewable energy support and higher household bills”, going on to assert scrapping support for renewables will lower bills. What planet are they living on?!

Clearly there is an urgent need to lower household bills for our communities, but this bogus and ineffective approach must not be used in an attempt to achieve this, as it will cause more problems than it solves.

Clearly, you don’t have to be a full-on “Green” to see this. As a party, we have recognised this through our political policy, and campaign activities since the early 1970s, when the Green Lib Dems evolved to focus on these issues within the national party.

The effect of this ambition can be seen through the actions of our MPs, our committed ward councillors and our links to the wider environmental movement.

Tice also claims that net zero policies would “bankrupt Britain” but, in doing so, he is ignoring the cost of doing nothing.

The OBR also warns that climate damage leads to reduced investment, depresses economic growth, creates more pollution and raises insurance costs. Conversely, action means cleaner air, warmer homes and better transport to say the least.

Populists encourage us to “stick our heads in the sand”, making things worse and accelerate the negative impacts of climate change.

But we recognise there is no “quick fix” or simple answers. Accepting this means we must adopt a creative and lateral thinking approach which develops a variety of ways to solve the problems, But first we must acknowledge that there is a problem.

Such action is not just the national government’s responsibility. Many local authorities are taking these issues seriously, adopting a “can do” approach, involving their communities in the process.

Council pension funds hold billions of pounds in fossil fuel companies. Waltham Forest has switched to green investments instead.

Lewes District Council keeps its climate ambition on track by setting short-term measurable goals for climate and nature-related targets. Setting interim goals to maintain momentum.

Wiltshire Council runs a fuel poverty support service and is retrofitting community housing.

Islington Council has created a joined-up network of services that aim to support vulnerable Londoners facing fuel poverty.

Come on Calderdale, we can do this too!