Researchers from Bournemouth University have recently put forward solutions for environmental breakdown.
Professor Rick Stafford and his team studied past scientific proposals and came up with a combination of what is called the ‘New Green Deal’ and ‘Nature-Based Solutions’ as a way of solving the problem.
It is Hoped, the research will influence ‘think tanks’ and finally find its way to influence government policy.
The ‘New Green Deal’, an idea from the USA, is a solution put forward and adopted by some political parties in the UK. It looks at eradicating fossil fuels and creating tens of thousands of green jobs as well as promoting more space on the roads to for cycling, walking and public transport.
However, the current UK government has been severely criticised by Professor Rick Stafford and environmental pressure groups. Professor Stafford said: “Largely the current government policies are entirely inadequate to address the environmental threats we currently face.”
He added that the Labour party’s idea of a ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ would make a big difference and praised the Green party saying they have the strongest policies.
Rebecca Newsom, head of politics for GreenPeace UK said of the Governments funding for the environment: “(There is a) gaping hole in funding needed” She added “We need long term policy commitments and funding in every sector of the economy, not just a down payment.”
Sue Chapman of ‘Friends of the Earth’ Bournemouth went further and criticised all the major parties. She said: The main parties are not facing up to the problem.”
All call for end to fossil fuels and for high carbon taxation and that action is urgent.
The government in a statement from DEFRA emphasised a more nature-based solution but gave more importance to the mental health of the nation rather than the environment.
They also insisted on economic growth as a priority something Professor Stafford condemns as bad for the environment and a block to the solution.
He said: “Nature-Based Solutions like planting trees with pursuit of economic growth diminishes the reduction of environmental breakdown.”
Spending on roads and the controversial HS2 railway is something all agree is a bad idea and can only lead to destruction of nature and more carbon emissions. Solutions such as offshore energy ahead of gas and oil are vital and the government must stop all support for fossil fuels.
It was suggested that it is better to have green taxes or removal of fossil fuel subsidies but the most effective strategywould be little change in economic growth.
Natural climate solutions were said to be extremely beneficial in preventing environmental breakdown and the single most important factor.
Professor Stafford stressed that nature-based solutions alone will have a detrimental effect as will the new green deal but together they provide a solution if are leaders listen.
GERALD GILBERT
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About me
I reside in Bournemouth and I am a qualified published journalist specialising in environmental and social issues although I am adaptable and can write general articles. I have a distinction to my name and I have appeared numerous times in my local paper and the national press. I am community minded and believe in the power of journalism to bring communities together. I therefore write regularly for a community website.
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