Climate Change Starts Here in Tonbridge

Climate change starts here in Tonbridge

WATCHING 16 year old Greta Thunberg speak about the climate emergency facing our world is
inspiring and frightening at once. In her speech to MPs she said, “The problem is that basically
nothing is being done to halt – or even slow – climate and ecological breakdown, despite all the
beautiful words and promises ... the only thing that we need to look at is the emission curve. And
I’m sorry, but it’s still rising. That curve is the only thing we should look at. Every time we make a
decision we should ask ourselves; how will this decision affect that curve?”

Here in Tonbridge we are seeing our own young people echo Greta’s words and actions, as well as
even more direct action like the heroic Litter Kickers who spend hours picking up litter after school
and on weekends to reduce the impact of plastic waste on our local environment.

In Tonbridge, we should apply Greta’s advice to examine every decision and consider how it impacts
on the environment. For example, on a personal level, we can reduce plastic waste and other litter
by using re-usable bottles and cups, and by putting our litter in the bin or taking it home to recycle.
One of our local Green Party activists promoted the Refill scheme in Tonbridge that allows the public
to fill up their water bottles at many shops and cafes around the town, instead of buying more
disposable ones.

At a community level, we can change habits like reducing unnecessary car journeys by deciding to
walk or cycle where possible, to reduce air pollution in the town centre where it currently exceeds
safe limits. This will soon be made even safer by the introduction of 20 mph speed limits throughout
the town beyond the high street, something the Green Party has been campaigning for years.
The results of all this positive action won’t just be good for the planet, which would be reason
enough. We’ll all enjoy the benefits, including cleaner air and a more pleasant environment. But
people can only really take effective personal and community action if the political set-up allows and
supports change. We must hold our council to account, for example, to make better decisions on
planning that factor in traffic and parking issues, and prioritising home building in the right places -
on brownfield sites in the town first.

Our council is made up of 54 elected members, 48 of which are Conservative. The danger of such a
huge majority is complacency - without anyone to hold them to account, councillors can make easy
or short-term choices. They may even begin to take the support of residents for granted, and fail to
take their views into account.

Tackling climate change is a big issue but every single step counts, including those people take
tomorrow, 2nd May, to the polling station to put a cross on a piece of paper.