Tower and Town, June 2023 (view the full edition)Citizens Climate LobbyI went to an excellent talk given by Judy Hindley with Jane Renwick on the work being done by Citizens Climate Lobby UK* to promote Climate Income - a policy that prices fossil fuels at source. A steadily rising price is imposed on all fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) as they are produced or imported, and the proceeds distributed to citizens in equal shares. Such a scheme has been adopted by the Liberal government in Canada and also in Austria and Switzerland. This policy offers a very positive solution to the Climate crisis facing our planet today. It is evident that our current policies are inadequate and we have now missed the targets set to reduce emissions by the bi-partisan Climate Act 2008. We are living at a time of Climate Crisis and CO2 emissions are at the core of the problem. Climate income addresses our dependence on fossil fuels, in every area of life. It is the fairest, most effective way of meeting our targets whilst protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. It would be good for the economy and is highly redistributive. If enacted immediately, it would cut emissions by 50% by 2030, grow jobs, protect the poorest, promote every kind of green behaviour and green alternative, and cut the health costs of pollution. Our MP, Danny Kruger, has mentioned this policy in the Houses of Parliament. We need to get more MPs cognisant of it and publicising it. It is supported by the largest number of economists in history, including all living Nobel prize-winners, as well as environmentalists such as Jonathan Porritt, founder of Friends of the Earth. Judy and her team at CCL Devizes are very willing to discuss this with interested parties and can be contacted at judy@citizensclimatelobby.uk. We need to spread the word at this time of doom and gloom. You can come and hear more at the third of 3 meetings being held in The Friends Meeting House on June 14th at 7.30pm. *Citizens' Climate Lobby, an international organization that generates the political will to end climate change through a network of relationships. Rachel Rosedale |