22nd November 2006

An anonymous letter writer is "bored to screaming point by the needless coverage in the media about global warming" (29/11/06). Out of interest I looked back through The Citizen and find all too few mentions in the last weeks - yet this is the greatest threat to our planet. 

Photo left: Climate change march

This topic shouldn't be boring. There are so many positive ways people are starting to tackle climate change: witness Woking Borough who have reduced their own energy consumption by 49% in 13 years and achieved a massive reduction of 77% in CO2 emissions. And Essex Council saving £1 million per year by switching some lighting off at night. As Stroud District Council's Environmental strategy proposals show, people want to be engaged.

Disillusionment comes when we see the failure of our Government to act. The Climate Change Bill is grossly inadequate and under Labour our emissions are rising instead of falling. The letter writer is spot on when he or she says that it is for Government and big business to be leading the way. Why should we accept advice when the Government isn't even following that advice?

The truth is that every little to tackle climate change does help. It is also true that if we are to create more prosperous, socially just, peaceful, safer communities then we cannot avoid taking action. Those actions also send a message to our Government that we want them to act. We must keep up the pressure - and if necessary bore everyone rigid by filling our papers every day with this issue demanding action from our Government. Our future as a species depends on it.

Cllr Martin Whiteside, Hillside, Claypits Lane, Thrupp, Stroud
Stroud Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson