Poverty and Climate Campaigns Unite

Tackling climate change and reducing poverty are mutually compatible aims, according to a report out today.

Tackling climate change and reducing poverty are mutually compatible aims, according to a report out today. ‘Tackling Climate Change, Reducing Poverty' is the first report from a roundtable consortium that includes Oxfam and Friends of the Earth, and was convened by the new economics foundation.

"For too long now, groups tackling poverty and protecting the environment have been operated separately" begins the report. "The fact that climate change and poverty are connected, and must be tackled together, has not been sufficiently understood."

One in five people in the UK are unable to meet their basic living costs. In sub-standard housing, with poorer health and no insurance, climate change will have much more serious consequences on this demographic. Since the rich bear greater responsibility in creating it, there is a profound injustice at the heart of climate change.

Fortunately, poverty alleviation groups and climate change campaigners can work together. There are many areas where both the poor and the climate would reap the benefits. One of these is public transport. Investing in better public transport networks would prevent those on a lower income from becoming isolated as oil prices rise and carbon taxation makes transport more expensive. It would also mean fewer cars on the road, and thus fewer CO2 emissions.

Housing is another example, where insulation would save poor households money by reducing their energy bills, and lower emissions at the same time. Community gardens have multiple effects, providing cheap healthy food for low income families, while greening cities and reducing food miles. Renewable energy also presents a unique opportunity both to create jobs, and to re-train people to do them.

For more, or to read the report, visit neweconomics.org

Links:

Tackling Climate Change, Reducing Poverty report

'Tackling climate change, reducing poverty' report, downloadable from the new economics foundation.

Contact email: jeremy@makewealthhistory.org