Time to do what is right for the world

EARLIER this year when I proposed that Cheltenham should declare a climate emergency and seek carbon neutrality,

I knew public debate would be a key part of the process. It’s the biggest issue facing our town, our country and our planet.

That’s why I was delighted when so many people showed up to the climate emergency assembly at the Municipal Offices last week. While I was in the chair for the meeting, it was completely non-political and it was brilliant to see a broad debate with a wider range of voices than are usually present in public discussion. We covered everything from the importance of switching car trips onto foot, bicycle and bus, to the importance of tree-planting, and issues around food consumption.

One theme emerged loud and clear: local action will have to be backed by money and the government will need to do its bit by devolving powers and funding. Cheltenham can certainly contribute by encouraging sustainable transport, planting trees and sourcing food sustainably.

But if national policy set by MPS continues to be carbon-intensive and support for green energy sources is absent, much of this good work will be undone.

The borough council officer in charge of writing the report responding to the climate emergency was there to hear all the ideas, and there were telling contributions from Vision 21 and Extinction Rebellion.

We can expect a report back later this year setting a challenging action plan.

As a starting point, I’d like to see the town looking at ambitious plans to reduce pollution and improve air quality. On a closely related matter, we should be looking at a huge tree-planting programme. We’ll need to continue an open and inclusive public debate as we implement the various necessary schemes. It won’t always be easy and there won’t be unanimous support for everything that is suggested. But we mustn’t be put off by the fact we’ll have to make difficult choices. Nor should we accept intransigence from the government. Now is the time to do what we know is right.