Sun 20 Oct 2019, 13:13 PM | Posted by editor
LETTER from Mark Langabeer, Newton Abbot Labour Party
Panorama reporter, Justin Rowlett investigated whether as individuals we can reach the Government target of zero carbon emissions by 2050. He asks a family of four, who emit around 45 tons of carbon annually, to undertake a trial in reducing their carbon footprint. According to Professor Mike Berners-Lee from Lancaster University, the average household emits around 52 tons and major changes in diet, transport and housing are required.
Chris Stark, an advisor on climate change, argues that there needs to be a reduction in meat and dairy consumption. Plant diet and alternatives like insects could provide a solution. Also, 10 million tons of food a year is wasted, with 70% from households. Much of this waste could be turned into methane for heating homes. Stark believes that Government subsidies are required to change farming practices. Currently, three-quarters of state funding goes towards the production of livestock.
Transport is a major contributor in global warming. The Government have announced that all new cars will be electric by 2040. Currently, 2.2% of all new cars are electric and cost around £30,000. Around 27,000 public charging points exist and it’s estimated that there needs to be eight times this number to meet targets. Low carbon public transport and an increase in bus services are also needed. At present there are no technical alternatives in aviation. It was noted that two-thirds of flights are by 15% of the population and the climate change advisors believe that a tax should be applied.
Stark believes that the biggest challenge is housing. Most of Britain’s 29 million are in need of insulation panels and heating systems that are solar powered, if Britain is to reach net zero by 2050.Currently, 47% of electricity is supplied by fossil fuels, a principal emitter of carbon. Berners-Lee revisits the family and reports that if they continued with the trial for one year, they would reduce their emissions by 13million tons. Impressive, but nowhere near net zero.
Rowlett concludes that individuals can play a role. However, only state action can reduce the causes of global warming. The Tories believe in the market and a small state. They won’t take the necessary action to reduce the impact of climate change. Only with the labour movement in Britain and internationally, committed to public ownership and planning, can the catastrophic effects of global warming be averted.
