Sometimes it seems that environmental challenges like global warming are so big we can’t possibly do anything about them as individuals.
Or we are so busy and stressed in our everyday lives that we don’t have time to think about it, or to take action. But tackling environmental issues – from climate change to energy use, waste to transport – is important for our future and in our daily lives we can all be doing something to reduce the harmful impact of our actions on the environment.
Here are my five key points for action:
*Bring the tube to Camberwell and Peckham: I strongly support extending the Bakerloo Line to Camberwell and Peckham. It would cut local traffic congestion especially along Walworth Road and Old Kent road.
*Recycling household waste: Recycling is easy in Southwark – your recycling, food and garden waste can be collected from your home or you can take it to the Council’s Reuse and Recycling Centre on Old Kent Road. In Southwark we’ve doubled our recycling rates since 2010 but we should aim to divert more than 95% of waste away from harmful landfill.
*Saving energy at home: When Labour was in government we set up the ‘Warm Front’ scheme to properly insulate homes but the Tory-Lib Dem Government scrapped it. The next Labour government will have a major push on home insulation with at least 5 million homes upgraded over 10 years, saving the average household more than £270 a year in energy bills.
*Safer cycling: Labour will make cycling safer in London and throughout the country. We have put forward a plan for tough new safety rules for HGVs. And in Southwark we want a ‘safe cycling hour’ with lorries banned from the roads at rush hour.
*Tackling environmental problems globally. The last Labour Government made progress in tackling climate change not just in the UK, but working with other governments in Europe and globally, and helping developing countries to develop more sustainably. 2015 is an important year for international action with a series of summits and conferences that can shape our future. Labour will seek a binding international agreement on climate change and global targets for cutting carbon emissions.
” … seek a binding international agreement”: It won’t happen. Even in the EU COP21 offering the member states are not bound. (Interesting isn’t it. The EU promises but the members don’t have to do it. It’s a good example of political double-speak.) The US and China will not be bound to anything substantive. This binding effort is a waste of everyone’s time. It is a bridge too far. But I do applaud your environmental concerns, work and optimism. Your time is too important.