The terrible eve
nts in the Philippines have prompted thousands to send money, and that is good. But really the best way to help these people, and so many millions like them facing the effects of climate change, is for each and every one of us to take stock of our living habits and reduce our fossil fuel consumption.
Wales Green Party Leader, Pippa Bartolotti said, “People really do have the power to help those in such desperate need in the Philippines. In fact people have the power to help those facing hardships caused by climate change everywhere. It starts at home by decreasing fossil fuel consumption such as switching off lights and car sharing. It starts by looking at your own energy provider and making sure they are 100% green.”
Cheap and abundant fossil fuels have cemented bad energy habits, especially in rich countries. Most methods of producing, distributing and using energy are massively inefficient. These inefficiencies run across all production and use of energy, from the power plants to the everyday use of cars, heating, air travel and stand-by power. In a detailed study, the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that from 3% (Switzerland) to an alarming 13% (Australia) of all residential electricity used in OECD countries was standby.
Pippa Bartolotti added, “Now is the time to stop taking energy for granted. We could close 24 coal-fired power stations by just unplugging chargers and switching off domestic appliances instead of putting them on stand-by. Sending money to the Philppines will not stop climate change, burning less fossil fuels will. The future of many people is in our hands.”
Science tells us that climate change will mean more intense tropical storms. As the Earth warms up, that would include the oceans. The energy that is stored in the waters off the Philippines will increase the intensity of typhoons and more destructive storms will be the new norm. The Philippine Government’s representative to the UN climate talks in Warsaw is currently on hunger strike until agreement on a climate pathway can be reached.
The UK Government has yet to take a stance on the international regulation of carbon dioxide emissions. In light of the recent IPCC report, The Green Party urges the government to extend its concern for environmental protection beyond national perimeters