Albert Owen MP
Currie & Balerno News (Climate Change)
Climate Change is the greatest environmental threat the globe has ever faced. And it is now right at the top of the political agenda in Westminster and across the world. The scientific evidence that human activity around the world is changing our climate is overwhelming. Recently we saw some of the best scientific minds give the world a stark warning of the harm to the planet. The consequences would be devastating – an average temperature rise of between 2 and 5 degrees within the lifetime of our grand-children.
And the review which Gordon Brown commissioned from Sir Nicholas Stern last year warned of the cost to the environment and the economy of not taking action today.
In Britain, we may already be seeing more storms, floods, heat-waves and drought with rising sea levels flooding our coast line. But elsewhere in the world, it will inevitably mean more famine, disease, destruction and death.
This threat is one that we need to tackle in our homes and at local, national and international level.
We have pushed climate change to the top of the international agenda already.
We played a huge role in getting agreement at Kyoto and will easily meet our international targets. But that isn’t enough.
We are investing massively in new technology, in renewables and other clean energy – and spreading this knowledge to developing countries. Last month I opened a new wind farm near Stirling which marked the first time that renewable energy can provide enough electricity to supply half Scotland’s homes.
It’s not just the right thing to do. It also makes economic sense. For the Stern report underlines that, no matter what the cost of taking action now, the cost of delay will be many times more.
But this won’t be achieved through government action alone. We all, in our homes, our businesses and our schools can play a part.
Even little changes can make a big difference. Switching just three ordinary light bulbs with energy saving replacements in every household would cut family bills and save enough power to run street lighting across the country.
Turning the television off at source and unplugging mobile phone chargers when not in use may not seem like big actions but can make a big difference.
These simple daily actions and the long term strategy the Government is setting at national level and encouraging at international level, will help preserve our planet for our children and our children’s children.
