Memorandum submitted by Mr Hugh Fraser
(CRED 30)
I wish to submit evidence to the Parliamentary
EFRA committee hearing on climate change, A citizens agenda. I
am not able to attend the committee hearing. Thank you for this
opportunity to submit written evidence.
As a journalist I first published material on
aspects of environment 30 years ago. I have over the past two
years thoroughly researched climate change, including a dozen
of the best books on the subject. My affiliation with Climate
Concern UK, which has supported me enabled me to become a trained
presenter of a slide presentation on climate change which I offer
to schools and local amenity and civic groups.
I have circulated this submission among contacts
and have incorporated points and clarifications suggested by several
of these concerned citizens.
Evidence now suggests the challenge we face
as individual citizens is bringing about, over as short a timeframe
as possible, within 10 or 12 years maximum, a comprehensive change
in how we utilize carbon emitting fuels and energy derived there
from, reducing use, then improving energy efficiency.
I am with those who see a 90% cut from 1990
levels necessary by 2030, which is 23 years from now.
That timetable requires an annual cut of less
than 4%, year on year. If we can do it with inflation, we can
do it with carbon, if we get organised! Each year lost will result
in steeper declines later.
If for this submission we leave aside the emissions
from industry, business, health and leisure sectors and concentrate
on households, then having readily available a number of funded
resources would permit householders to achieve high rates of energy
saving and carbon reduction. These resources are:
— A "national wake-up call"—such
as Al Gore to address the nation with the PM introducing it and
committing on camera to doing whatever is necessary; so we all
know where we are all heading and why.
— A national debate on climate
change, its implications, our options and how we want to respond.
— All-party political consensus
on how Parliament and government can best assist and promote the
action needed.
— A national strategy on how we
are going to avert the worst consequences of climate change.
— An international agreement on
how we can best proceed toward a goal of survival for all, reduced
levels of materials consumption, continued prosperity for as many
as possible.
— An overall national plan, taking
in all sectors, pushing for change at a similar rate in each of
the sectors.
— A Well Funded Citizens Climate
Change Action Programme with sequence of Topics of Focus, each
to run for, say six months (in step with EC presidencies?), such
as Home Insulation and Draught proofing, Road Use and Transport
options; Home energy, renewables use and generation; aviation:
leisure and holiday travel.
For each Topic of Focus could there could be:
— massive advance public education
drives;
— local Action Plan meetings and
presentations;
— help in forming neighbourhood
groups for support, outreach and extension of CC education;
— same for groups around eg place
of employment, profession, church, sport/leisure activity;
— schools participation, own buildings
and student community outreach work;
— inter-group contests and rallies;
and
— certificates, badges and prizes
for participation on Climate Action courses.
A possible model for aspects of this might be
the Red Cross work on First Aid courses for the general public.
Funding is crucial to avoid hiatus of the sort
currently experienced by the Energy Saving Trust. Due to re classification
of VAT items, EST has had to make cutbacks, which has meant in
some areas the loss of post for their Community Liaison Officer,
according to one local (South London) activist who has reported
this to me. Gross Lapses of intent such as this must be eradicated!
Information, current with a regular update service,
on:
— the status quo (9.5 tonnes
CO2/person/year);
— where we need to get to (in
easy stages down to one tonne/person/year by 2030);
— what we are focussing on in
the current (six-month) timeframe;
— how we are doing towards our
next upcoming goal (by neighbourhood, borough, region and nationally);
— what we can do, or do more of,
or less of, to contribute to timely achievement of the next goal;
— what we have achieved in past
periods (by neighbourhood, borough, region and nationally);
— what we are going to be moving
onto next and how best to prepare.
Such a coherent, fully funded Citizens Climate
Change Action Programme would instil public confidence, provide
motivation for individual action and provide a call for action
from individuals prepared to take a stand in reaching out to others
within their immediate home neighbourhood area, their place of
employment or profession, church, sport/leisure activity group
.
I commend such a comprehensive programme of
action to the Committee for its consideration.
Mr Hugh Fraser
January 2007
|
