Transport Action Network Cymru [1] is urging people to vote for the climate at the polls on Thursday 5th May [2]. This follows the stark warnings in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report [3] about the need to take urgent action to reduce carbon emissions. Climate change will not only affect the planet we leave behind for our children, its economic costs this century could be up to 51% of global GDP [4].
The Welsh Government has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. With transport emissions currently representing a fifth of all emissions in Wales, changing the way we travel will be fundamental to avoid global temperature increases exceeding 1.5°C. While national leadership is crucial, so is local delivery. Without local representatives also taking action, the cost to voters now and in the future will be huge.
Paula Renzel, Welsh roads and climate campaigner for TAN Cymru said:
“While many people will be rightly concerned about the cost of living, failing to reduce emissions and tackling climate change could literally cost us the earth. We need to elect politicians who understand that investing in active travel and public transport, insulating homes and taking other measures will all help with the cost of living crisis. Doing nothing is not an option and will condemn us and future generations to higher prices forever.”
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