Comment

New Ground 68
Spring 2005

Who cares about the environment?

Evidence suggests that ignoring environmental issues could cost Labour votes. Problems relating to traffic congestion, lack of green spaces and air pollution top local concerns in quality of life surveys. Public awareness of the future threats from climate change is higher than ever before. The recent upsurge of extreme and erratic weather events are beginning to have a significant effect on local economies and on the FTSE 100 insurance companies.

Environmental protection and social justice should underpin our modern day understanding of sustainable development. It is widely understood that the poor tend to suffer disproportionately from the effects of environmental problems. This is illustrated by the effects of climate change which subject the poorest and most vulnerable to climate related hazards such as flooding and droughts.

In the UK, there are linkages between distributive justice and environmental problems. For instance, industrial sites are disproportionately located in deprived areas whilst children living in these areas are five times more likely to be killed by a car than those children living in affluent areas.

As Labour moves into a third term, its commitment to the environment is likely to be tested in two key areas - energy production and sustainable communities.

Ministers need to consider whether it is right that the anti-wind attitudes of a vocal minority should over-ride national and international efforts to encourage renewable electricity generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fact is we need more wind power if the Government is to meet its target to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2010.

The question of nuclear power was left open in the most recent Energy Act. Some commentators have started suggesting that a decision has to be made early in the third term given that many present nuclear power plants are due for decommissioning in the next ten years. Yet it is far from clear that a compelling case can be made given the inherent safety and cost issues of nuclear. Given the time and money required to develop new nuclear plants, a similar investment in other low carbon solutions such as wave or solar would ensure their economic viability and operational effectiveness. Getting these other technologies to the same stage of successful delivery as wind would make the UK a market leader and create significant export potential.

The second area that is already proving controversial is in relation to sustainable communities. The Sustainable Communities Plan announced that 200,000 new homes would be built in the growth areas of the Greater South East. The Plan rightly encourages brownfield over greenfield development and high density housing, but it has been criticised for not addressing other quality of life issues that unsustainable development could intensify such as traffic congestion and water shortages.

The challenge for Labour will be to develop a clearer narrative on sustainable communities. No one can deny the importance of affordable housing for those on the lowest incomes but planning cannot be thought of just in terms of housing numbers. We need to aspire to create the kinds of communities that promote social cohesion and sustainable consumption patterns.

More and more voters are begining to understand locally and globally that managing and using our environment together is the key to a better quality of life. As SERA members we all must consider how we can help Labour, in government we hope, understand how best to manage the environment of the UK sustainably.

Julie Foley Co Chair and Hywel Lloyd Co Chair (& Labour's candidate for the Cities of London & Westminster)