WEST Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin writes for the Observer…
The staycation sunshine has felt like the Mediterranean at times and the accompanying thunderstorms here and on the Continent have also reminded us what climate change can look like.
The whole world needs to come together to agree to reduce carbon emissions so that we don’t find ourselves with even warmer weather.
The UK is playing a leading role by hosting the COP 26 United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow later this year and over recent months I have been talking to local people, local schools and local businesses to get their views and ideas about what we can do to act on this vital issue.
There are important steps you can take to reduce your energy usage and save money on your bills. Green home improvements like double glazing, better central heating systems and solar panels can all help reduce our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. Solar and wind power costs have fallen sharply, and UK’s carbon emissions have fallen 45 per cent since 1990 and are now lower than they have been since 1888.
I often hear from local people about how important they feel it is to make transport greener and to make it easier for people to get to and from work, schools and shops in an environmentally friendly way. We need to invest more in green transport – better electric charging networks for cars, better trains and maybe hydrogen powered buses. We also need to make it much easier and safer for people to ride or walk if they are able to and I welcome Worcestershire County Council’s plans to improve active travel corridors.
One of the positive legacies of last year’s lockdown was the increase in cycle usage and I would hope that trend continues. And as we watch the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games, I would hope that people are inspired by our national sporting heroes to go out and swim, ride, run or take up something new this summer.
We are blessed with wonderful countryside to exercise in and many great sporting facilities. I hope you will be inspired to get out and have a healthy late summer.
