Two thirds of British public want government action on the climate emergency
A new poll by Greenpeace has revealed that two thirds of the British public want government action on the climate emergency.
A new poll by Greenpeace has revealed that two thirds of the British public want government action on the climate emergency.
The Opinium Poll from the 23rd April also revealed that 63 per cent of the British public think that we are in a climate emergency with 64 per cent placing the blame with the government.
The Government has recently come under scrutiny for their role in climate change, and what they now need to do to fix this damage.
On Sunday, the Labour Party declared a ‘climate emergency’, with the Scottish National Party quickly following suit, on Wednesday they will force a vote in parliament to ensure other politicians listen.
John Sauven, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK, said: “Climate activists, young and old, have put the UK government under enormous pressure to officially recognise the climate emergency we are facing. There is a real feeling of hope in the air that after several decades of climate campaigning the message is beginning to sink in. What we need now is to translate that feeling into action.”
On the other end of the spectrum, 25 per cent of the British Public say that climate change is happening but believe there is nothing they can do about it personally. 21 per cent believe that climate change won’t have an effect on people in the UK for decades to come.
In addition to the poll, Greenpeace has also published a climate manifesto which lists 134 actions the government should take immediately to keep UK decarbonisation efforts in line with climate science.
The list of manifestos, thirty years in the making, includes reducing emissions in areas of transport, agriculture, industry, shipping and aviation.
One manifesto focuses on phasing out existing fossil fuel production, Greenpeace say there is ‘no excuse’ for opening up more fossil fuel reserves and it must be ‘kept in the ground’.
The transition to zero carbon mobility is also focused on, the manifesto states that the ban of all sales of petrol and diesel vehicles should be by 2030, not the set target of 2040.
The list will be sent out to MPs, think tanks, policy experts and other influencers in the climate sphere.
John Sauven added: “The government clearly needs help as they are not sure how to respond. So we have produced an action plan to show how, with a little bit of courage, the UK can help avert the climate crisis, and take responsibility for our historic emissions. The plan ensures the green transition is fair and democratic for all, with new jobs and economic benefits spread across the country.”
Read the manifesto here.
