I wrote about the threat of global heating in my column only a few weeks ago. But given the conclusions of UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) earlier this week, I make no apology for returning to the topic.
The report’s findings have been described, quite rightly, as “a code red for humanity” by the UN Secretary General. As the scientists confirm, it is now clear beyond all reasonable doubt that human activity has already heated the planet, and is destined to make a dangerous situation far, far worse.
It’s a point that I have made on several occasions, including when I introduced the Bill in Parliament on Cheltenham’s behalf which commits our country to reach net zero by 2050. As I said then, climate change and antibiotic resistance remain the two greatest threats facing our world.
There is no time for delay and no room for excuses. COP26 (the Climate Change Conference being held in Glasgow in October) simply must be a success. We are not perfect in the UK of course, but we have already shown considerable leadership, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than any other G7 country, down around 45% on 1990 levels.
If the rest of the world were to announce in Glasgow that too will meet our commitments to phase out dirty, polluting coal from the energy mix by 2025 and hit net zero by 2050 humanity could look to the future once again with hope.
Here in the UK, I am determined that we should meet the massive challenge of home heating, which is a difficult nut to crack. It is positive news that the Government will soon be announcing a Heat and Buildings Strategy, so that great businesses like Cheltenham’s Renewable Design Company, can step in to deliver the technological solutions. That in turn will drive down costs.
Clarity of direction plus technology and innovation will drive our progress to Net Zero.
[Column published in the Gloucestershire Echo]