The Big Ask Climate Debate - Tony Juniper's response to your comments 1 November 2006
< Read Tony Blair's reponse to your comments
As so many of the contributors to this debate have, I want to start by thanking you for starting this debate.
I have found it fascinating and inspiring to read so many responses, with so many ideas, and so much passion.
I suspect anyone working on climate change occasionally has rather dark moments filled with doubts we will ever find solutions.
By contrast this has been one of those uplifting moments, when my optimism in our ability to tackle it has been reinforced.
So apart from cheering me up, what have I learned from the debate?
No shortage of solutions
Well, it is certainly obvious from the posts that there is no shortage of solutions out there.
We have had lots of suggestions of how to save energy in homes, work and transport and how we can generate the energy we need more cleanly.
People also realise that cutting emissions starts right down in the planning and design of our communities, so that public transport is easier to access, and work, shops and leisure facilities are provided near to where people live. Many of the posts pointed out the absurd ways we currently waste energy.
People have identified the need to produce heat renewably, as well as the renewable electricity that people usually think about, but which in reality only accounts for a third of our energy use. Really exciting proposals that have been perhaps neglected by the political process - like large-scale concentrating solar power systems sited in deserts - have also had an airing.
Absence of political will
So if it is not solutions we are short of, why is it that so many responses express frustration at slow rate of progress to date? Largely because so far the political will to seriously tackle this problem just hasn't been there.
One reason for this is the view of many in Government that there isn't the "political space" to attempt robust solutions. I think this debate shows that there has been a dramatic change in the public mood and it is now politicians who are lagging behind.
The challenge posed by aviation is always going to be difficult.
But there was a far greater understanding than the public are often given credit for about the problem of rapidly expanding aircraft emissions, and a broad acceptance that this problem needs to be nipped in the bud before it gets out of control.
A couple of posts also correctly identified this isn't about stopping the poor flying off on holiday - most low cost flights are used by pretty well-off frequent flyers.
It is now common ground that more needs to be done. But "more" is a pretty flexible word. A tiny bit more is not going to be enough - we need a huge increase in effort to deliver cuts of at least 3% a year in carbon emissions.
Which is where the debate on annual targets comes in.
Obviously I was pleased to see annual targets had a lot of support overall, but I was especially encouraged by the support from NHS workers and others who already have to work to annual targets.
I was particularly impressed by the village in Cornwall which is making really bold attempts to make the necessary carbon cuts in their community. They admitted their own annual target will not always be comfortable - but that it is the only way to keep things under review and on track.
Of course there were a few sceptical voices too.
However I can assure the 'sceptic' who wrote elsewhere "I have just scrolled through the comments. The game is obviously fixed. The few 'sceptical' comments that have been allowed through are those that show the 'sceptics' in the worst possible light."
We didn't, we published everything that was printable. I leave it to you to draw your own conclusions.
If I take one thing from this, it is that people are overwhelmingly ready to do their bit if they know other people - and crucially the Government - are going to as well.
I know David Miliband has picked up on this already with his "environmental contract" discussion. This is an exciting idea that if backed with practical examples could gain real traction on issues like climate change. I know also that there are many business leaders too who favour this approach and who see a role for government in putting in place the frameworks that will enable them to deliver
Government thus needs to act - but it also needs to be seen to act and to show leadership. A Climate Change Bill with annual targets of a cut of at least 3% a year will make sure we do, and will show we are.
Finally, Christina Chambreau echoed many other thoughts when she called for us to work together to find a solution. "I see what you mean, Tony Blair, about yearly targets causing ineffective short term improvements and what you, Tony Juniper, mean about the need for yearly targets. I bet the two of you could figure a way to have the usefulness of targets AND not react to them in a knee-jerk way."
This is the greatest threat we have ever faced and now more than ever before we need to work together. Thank you again Prime Minister for engaging so constructively on this issue. We look forward to continuing working with you and your colleagues to deliver the necessary solutions in the months and years ahead.
