Boris Johnson said in his book “Lend Me Your Ears”, “there are no disasters in life, only opportunities”. I wonder if he still thinks this in light of his government’s dubious prioritisation of public health during the COVID pandemic? Nevertheless, its important not to completely disassociate with such a sense of optimism. For while post-Brexit COVID is a threat to us all physically, mentally and economically, and in particular to the poor, the pandemic also serves as a huge wake-up call and opportunity on the key subject of climate change. It is key because it is likely to be and ought to be the subject on which the next election is fought and won.
The Paris Agreement of 2015 saw the world commit to trying to limit global temperature rise to between 1.5C and 2C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the 21st century. However, the BBC recently reported that before COVID the world was not on target and that only the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of international lockdowns in the COVID pandemic has set an emission rate by which that temperature rise limit set in Paris is achievable. Lockdown is no way to live, but also neither is the manmade destruction of the world by excessive emission rates comprehendible for our children and our childrens’ children. It strikes me there is a choice to be made, and to be made now, about how we live our lives, and in that sense COVID presents an opportunity for the human race to make an adjustment in attitude. We must develop this idea of the “new normal” so that we do indeed “build back better”, and if we can do this, it might just be that we can learn to feel in control of our lives again, rather than being controlled by the pandemic and its consequences. No longer must Britain’s electorate be satisfied to receive and give lip service to the idea of sustainability and ecological conservation. It must take a leaf of sentiment out of the likes of climate change activist groups like Extinction Rebellion, and make it a grand chorus of its own.
Boris Johnson’s supposed hero Winston Churchill once said “when you have a lot to do, it is important to start somewhere”. Without question, the Glasgow UN Climate Change Conference later this year will be a fundamental building block to renewing worldwide commitment to greenhouse gas emission reduction in the face of the pandemic. In particular, the subject of air pollution is paramount, since the causes of climate change are synonymous with the causes of air pollution, namely transport, fossil fuel power, industry and burning crops. As a society we need to truly embrace the idea of electric cars, renewable energy, green business geared to net zero emissions and carbon capturing technology to provide a double shot in the arm for the prevention of global warming as well as air pollution. Below are some ideas to improve air pollution and reduce global warming as we move out of the pandemic and beyond.
Electric Cars: Lockdown has reminded society of the basic truth that without sacrifice, no gain can be enjoyed. So it is with the environment, and in the interests of expediting the nation’s transfer to clean electric and hydrogen-powered cars increased taxes on the use of conventional cars, which should also be banned for recreational use, should be introduced. People should be encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport recreationally. Where once the New Routemaster bus had its day, the new era of the hydrogen-powered bus should be ushered in.
Renewable Energy and Nuclear Power: All buildings should be powered by energy from wind and solar power. As this becomes a realistic accessibility for the public, taxes should be introduced on buildings still powered by fossil fuel energy. Ways of making nuclear power more affordable should also be explored as an alternative to fossil fuel driven power.
Green Business and Carbon Capturing Technology: Governmental incentives to ensure the investments and activities of businesses steer increasingly clear of fossil fuel power should be introduced. Carbon capture and storage should be employed to capture emissions from crops and trees being burned for their energy. Where this can cause problems for biodiversity and food production it should be coupled with an adequate national tree planting project.
These are just a few suggestions as to a way of developing the “new normal”, where life out of lockdown can be combined with control over emission reduction. Boris Johnson often speaks of boosting biodiversity, for example in a recent pledge to protect 30% of UK land, but in fact in doing this, only intends to enhance the UK’s natural beauty, rather than champion the protection of rare plants and insects and other wildlife. Additionally, skillful diplomacy will be needed, especially after Brexit, to ensure international cooperation on climate change, and it really is something the government should be seeking in their post-Brexit international trade deals. An effective political opposition in post-Brexit Britain should make sure the government does not marginalise climate change in its management of the COVID economic crisis, especially in any desperation to firm up those trade deals. Climate change marginalisation might be tempting for the government given the expense of some of the emission reduction technologies involved, such as nuclear power plants and carbon capturing technology.
Finally, it should be said that perhaps the biggest change towards net zero emissions can come from the little things we can individually adjust in our own lives. Governmental policies to discourage meat eating and the consumption of dairy produce could be introduced, as well rules to reduce how much we fly until zero-emission aviation is developed. Until then it is our responsibility as individuals to think how we can reduce our carbon footprint in the wake of the COVID pandemic so that the human race can exist more symbiotically with nature. We should not stop simply at the avoidance of plastic and the minimisation of waste.
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