Now is time to bring in green measures
We are in a climate change crisis. Instead of promising tax cuts and cash handouts to “solve” the energy price hikes, this is the opportunity for our democratically elected government to put in place measures to address the climate crisis and potentially prevent such occurrences happening in the future – to
the benefit of all consumers, especially moving forwards!
Ensure heat pumps are available to every household. This could take the form of air source or ground source pumps at a cost (including installation) of £6,000£8,000 and £10,000-£18,000 respectively. The cost should be met in full but could be met via a significant grant and interest-free loan. The government must use the energy companies to roll out the installations.
The deadline of 2050 for net zero carbon emissions in all new-build properties must be brought forward to 2022 immediately. The cost of such measures is incidental in the total building cost, whereas retro-fitting is expensive and delays the inevitable.
Government must reverse the ban on petrol/diesel vehicles by 2030 – it is unrealistic given the terraced houses and flats a significant
proportion of the country live in! Instead, invest in a proper infrastructure for producing synthetic fuels and providing a network of hydrogen (also a by-product of producing synthetic fuels) refilling stations.
Ban all hard plastics in food packaging.
There must be compulsory sustainability teaching in all schools and encouragement for all members of the population to receive education. The general public has become complacent in its knowledge of where resources come from and it has also become too easy to raise the thermostat rather than put extra clothes on, drive to the shop/school 500 metres away, order ready meals etcetera.
Alan Barratt
South Gloucestershire
A change of government leadership must not mean any change in commitment to the estimated 92,510 people with dementia and their families in the South West.
The Alzheimer’s Society wants the remaining two candidates to commit to making dementia a priority for their new government.
Since the 2019 general election, the Conservative government has committed to double research funding through a ‘Dementia Moonshot’ and reform social care, putting people living with dementia in control of their care and reducing what they pay for it.
Earlier this year the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced a visionary ten-year plan for dementia, backed by proper funding, which could be truly transformational for the 900,000 people living with the condition in the UK.
We need to offer hope for everyone affected by dementia – urgent action and investment is needed to deliver on all these commitments.
Our next prime minister must implement these life-changing reforms.
Benjamin Dellow Alzheimer’s Society Regional Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer – South West