Need to speed up, not slow down the transition to net zero

There has been much talk about net zero emission targets over recent weeks. It has been a accepted that net zero has to be achieved in order to combat climate change. The question is how quickly the country can attain this target. Some aim for 2030, others push back to 2050. The reality is that net zero has to be achieved as quickly as possible, the world is in a climate and biodiversity crisis. It is not some sort of lifestyle choice that can be put off until it can be afforded. It is unfortunate that a number of politicians have been elected around the world to positions of power who are in total denial on climate. Not least among these is US President Donald Trump. At home, his British equivalents are Reform UK. They also campaign against net zero. This despite the scientific data that says otherwise and the very real changing world around us. The extreme weather conditions bringing floods and droughts plus the dramatic impact on food production. Unfortunately, there seems to be a growing campaign against net zero, led by Reform and much of the Tory Party. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair seems a recent convert. The campaign resembles much of the nonsense we were sold about Brexit. There needs to be a push back against this onslaught. The Labour government has done some excellent things to advance the efforts to attain net zero. The expansion of the renewable energy sector, encouraging different forms of energy generation. The government seems to see the potential in the lucrative green economy. A way to get sustainable growth, as well as save the planet Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has pointed out the expansion of these sustainable forms of energy makes the country less dependent on outside sources.The impact of the war in Ukraine on energy and food prices shows how important this can be. So, the challenge moving forward is how much quicker net zero can be attained. That is a challenge locally as well. Things need to move more quickly. Now is not the time to advance more quickly over the cliff edge of environmental destruction. Why is so much time being wasted even discussing something that is vital to human survival? So much time was previously wasted discussing whether climate and biodiversity destruction were happening. This cannot happen again, we must accelerate the transformation to net zero, not hide in denial.