Still the Elephant in the Room; Climate Change must be at the Top of the Political Agenda

The debacle regarding academics using selective data to 'prove' climate change is occurring, has not been helpful to the Green Movement and others concerned about climate change. The fiddling of research statistics has however proved highly useful to the usual suspects of climate change denial such as Nigel Lawson, Jeremy Clarkson, UKIP, Terry Wogan and the rest of that ilk. Evidence that it is ok to run the Bentley, and plunder the earth further, because the earth's temperature will correct itself, is always the best stance on climate change for some in big business, the rich, influential and powerful, so they can carry on as normal.

I do not pretend to be an expert regarding the science of climate change. Despite this particular cold winter, the significant changes in weather patterns since I was a boy, the impact of rising sea levels in many parts of the world, the melting ice shelves,and the extreme weather events such as the regular floods that seem to occur annually here in the UK, are enough evidence for me. I would love this not to be the case. I love cars and travel, but I have had to change my behaviour due to the real dangers we are threatened with and are beginning to experience. None of us wants to worry about the future for ourselves, our children and grand children, let alone the earth's flora and fauna which hold no responsibility for the mess we are now in.

I am disgusted by the academic shenanigans at East Anglia University. Academics, what ever their discipline, have a duty to collect the evidence to prove or disprove their hypotheses, and not to fiddle the evidence when it is convenient for them. However it is clear the vast, vast majority of the scientific community accept that climate change is occurring, and unless we do something about it very soon, it will be irreversible.

The UK government's own Stern Report summarises the scientific consensus, and states it is essential that action is taken if irreversible climate change is to be avoided. Many people had great hopes that the Copenhagen Summit would come up with a workable solution, but disputes about who needed to take most action, and who must pay scuppered a deal. Let us hope the international community come back together soon and realise the need for an urgent solution to the problems we face.

The UK government's own position is that despite the rise in concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere from 270 parts per million (ppm)in the 19th century to 440ppm CO2 equivalent today (including other greenhouse gases such as methane), we can aim to stabilise the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at 550ppm CO2. The current target is for an 80% reduction by 2050 or a 2.5% reduction a year. However the Stern report states that at this level there is still a 75-99% chance of global warming exceeding two degrees Celsius. The Green Party,among others, believe that if that happens there is a high chance of runaway and disastrous climate change. Subsequently we believe it is essential to lower this risk, and stabilise the level of carbon dioxide at around 450ppm. To achieve this, global emissions need to drop by about 60% by 2030, and in industrialised countries, who can afford and need to, by 90% by 2030 i.e. 10% per year.

We realise this is a 'big ask' but the alternative is unthinkable, but probable unless we take action.

The major political parties all agree something has to be done about climate change but their commitment is, I believe, only lukewarm. The issue of climate change to them remains in the second division of policy priorities. They believe we can tinker around the edges, that technology will provide the solutions, and that it is still possible to maintain our existing life styles.

The big political parties all maintain that economic policy must focus on restoring economic growth. They believe it is essential to continue to increase our 'Gross Domestic Product' if we are to progress, even if that is at the expense of developing nations. They fail to see the linkage between economic growth, by producing more and more, even if there is a finite amount of natural resources which will one day run out; destroying our earth's natural beauty and eco system in the process. They fail to understand that this position risks irreversible climate change.

Despite the warm words about developing what Greens would view as 'pseudo' or at best 'light' green policies, the big parties fall at the first hurdle-even with their compromised stance-after they have been lobbied by the large corporations such as the oil companies and the airlines, who maintain their demand for'business as usual'. Meanwhile these corporations try to convince us all, through their public relations departments, that they have gone 'green' as if they have had some form of epiphany.

It is not surprising in the face of such an unthinkable crisis; that the easy option is to justify the status quo. For many, aiming to maintain their privilege and current lifestyle, 'Climate Change Denial' is a more palatable, if 'ostrich like' position. If you are greedy, self centred or just plain frightened, better to ignore the truth and hope it just does not happen.

So what if climate change is a myth? Unlikely, the vast majority of us know. But let us face that argument head on. Despite the scientific consensus, even if we are wrong; decarbonising the economy would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in insulation and renewable energy manufacturing. Thousands of people, through the use of solar, wave and wind power would be released from fuel poverty. We would also still reduce the shock of Peak Oil (the time when oil production will soon 'peak' and then decrease), reduce the acidification of the oceans, and reduce our energy security problems (e.g. by not having to rely on imports of gas and coal from overseas). And if things do turn out that the deniers are wrong (the most likely scenario considering the evidence,) through our proposed actions, we will have saved millions from loosing their homes through rising sea levels, and prevented catastrophic climate disruption from droughts, floods, crop failures, disease and war. Whatever the validity of the climate change deniers arguments it makes complete sense to work now, before it is too late and too expensive, to decarbonise our economy.

So lastly how do we make a start?

The Green Party works on the principle that where possible it is essential to avoid unnecessary consumption and waste (and therefore use less resources and energy.) We have to ensure that we use what we need rather than what we think we want. We have to understand that continual conspicuous consumption does not ever give us any sense of lasting satisfaction, only the desire for more and more. Like a dog chasing its tail, we only ever get (metaphorically speaking) 'dizzy' as a result of the way we currently live! What we do purchase should last and be repairable, and government must do what it can to deter business from building in 'obsolescence' to products and services we have to consume.

We need to ensure there is tax to reduce consumption and waste. Carbon quotas and taxes will go along way to reduce this. Action to reduce carbon emissions needs to be built in to all areas of government policy and action. There needs to be proper 'joined up thinking' (to use that well worn and hackneyed phrase.) Decent reliable and inexpensive public transport must be developed to ensure the use of buses and trains is a real viable alternative from car use. An end to the constant chasing of economic growth is necessary. This will help us create an economically and ecologically sustainable society where people realise happiness and affluence is to be found in having 'enough' once they have a reasonable income, a comfortable and affordable home, good food, and decent health and education systems. We need to create a society with different values based on the chance to develop a sense of spiritual well being, and the value of community, friends and family over those of financial gain and the continual lust for more and more.

Some of you may have read those last sentences and thought that is a pipe dream or at best naive. It is not a pipe dream or naive but what is essential to all of us if we are to feel a sense of wholeness and true value. Importantly with a change of society's priorities to aim for the common good, rather than the benefit of a few, it is obtainable. However, first we have to reevaluate the way we live, turn around and face the 'elephant in the room' that is climate change. We have to face the facts and do something now about them if the human race and our natural world is to survive. We can then work towards a positive and sustainable future; that is possible, if we put our minds and actions towards it.