Sunak can halt fuel poverty

I WOULD like to respond to the letters sent in last week re the climate crisis and the energy crisis. Both need to be acted on with the same urgency.

Fuel poverty could immediately be eased if the chancellor were to impose a windfall tax on the fossil fuel companies who have made record profits over the last winter. [Shell and BP a combined profit of £24 billion, and in the first three months of this year alone, £11 billion].

Next, the cost of domestic energy usage could be significantly reduced by rolling out a nationwide insulation programme. What energy is then used could be provided by investing in renewables.

Solar and wind-power are getting increasingly cheaper. Gas and oil prices are not going to get any cheaper, because even North Sea fossil fuels are sold on the open global market and we have to wean ourselves off these [as well as Russian fuel].

Finally, people can, as they can afford it, make their homes even more heat-efficient by installing loft insulation, draught-proofing, solar panels and say heat pumps, hopefully with more help from the Government.

As for the climate crisis, forget 2050, it is the next three or four years and the 2030 target that count, and the above measures would also help greatly to reduce carbon emissions and kick-start the green economy.

Yes, we have to all start making changes to our lives and this is happening, but it is down to us to persuade the Government and local authorities to make the necessary huge changes.

How do we do this? Find out as much as possible about the scientific facts. Join influential organisations like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth who are not afraid to speak the truth to the rich and powerful, and do so.

Write to your MP, either as individuals or through these groups.

Locally, speak to your parish, town, district and county councillors, and join the Climate Coalition or the Derbyshire Climate Coalition – the umbrella group for many climate groups across Derbyshire, who have been engaged in talks about home insulation, retrofitting and funding community energy initiatives, a

Local Electricity Bill and much more

You can do this as an individual, school, business, faith group, community organisation or any nonparty political organisation.

As we come out of Covid, look out for events like the family-friendly Belper Goes Green Eco and Arts Festival 2022 taking place from June 10 to 12. Above all, however busy you are, take action.

Christine Curwen

Ashbourne