Left Unity resolution to WMCA to combat climate crisis

 

Here is the submission from Birmingham and West Midlands Left Unity to the WMCA on what it should be doing to combat climate change. "As internationalists and socialists who are concerned for the future of humanity and, in fact, all of nature, we note: 1) Abnormally and record high temperatures in western N America, with wildfires out of control, and more recently as seen in Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. 2) Disturbed weather patterns and extreme weather events since Wednesday have killed over a hundred in western Europe, with a similar number missing. 3) Extreme weather and further eco damage will continue to have a detrimental impact upon specific groups experiencing health and other socially related issues. 4) Since 1988, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has consistently warned of such events from the burning of finite fossil fuels that is changing dangerously, the chemical composition of the atmosphere that allows life on earth. 5) Therefore, we appeal to the WMCA to act as though they are taking the climate emergency seriously by now moving to a rapid reduction of fossil fuel use that includes minimising fossil fuel travel and spending and, in every other way minimising our impact on ailing life support systems.  This should be done by: a) Replacing waste incineration with organic digestion. b) Introducing Fare Free Public Transport. c) Introducing rapid and massive home and building insulation. d) Scrapping new road building schemes.  e) Scrapping HS2.  f) Ending aviation expansion. g) Fostering alternative and diverse modes of travel, including walking, cycling, and scootering, rather than having an over-reliance on carbon-thirsty private transport. h) Supporting the expansion of electric charging points to aid reduction of fossil fuel use. i) Supporting divestment from fossil fuels by the WMCA. j) Public transport needs to be frequent, ubiquitous, and accessible, as well as free at the point of use. 6) We approve of the 60 mph speed limit ("for air quality") on the M5 in Oldbury and West Bromwich and we wish this to be extended to cover all of the motorway and road network in our region that is currently 70 mph."