Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies spoke of the need for everyone to work together to ensure a cleaner, greener future at an environment event in Prestatyn last week.
Addressing the well-attended CYTUN (Churches Together in Wales) environment meeting at Festival Church in Prestatyn on Friday, hosted by John Draper, James said it is vital that everyone gets involved to ensure that we leave the world in a better state.
He spoke of all the work that is going on at UK Government level to achieve this, but stressed that the challenge is huge and goals will only be reached if everyone plays a part.
He said:
“The whole world is affected by environmental issues and it is important that we work together on this agenda.”
At the event, which was attended by Prestatyn High School students, James went on to talk about how the local area has been affected to date by environmental changes, referring to the floods of 2013 and 2020, the collapse of Llanerch Bridge and the recent storms.
He also spoke about the energy crisis which has left people facing extortionate gas and electricity bills.
He added:
“Climate change has the potential to be devastating and unpredictable, resulting in natural disasters, such as fires, floods and famine.
“While it is vital that world leaders come together and set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and reaching net zero, we all need to be involved.
“Global recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity for nations across the globe to build back greener.
“The UN COP 26 Climate Conference held in Glasgow last November has laid the groundwork for renewed international effort on a range of the most important climate issues.
“I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the conference which was lively and almost overwhelming in activity and size. I met with a number of organisations there including Living Streets, The Institute of Environmental Sciences, Community Rail Network, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, to discuss the Vale of Clwyd and wider environmental issues. The breadth of the different areas covered by these groups gives a flavour of how vast the scope of the issues discussed at the conference truly was.
“There were many positive outcomes and the UK Government has used its presidency to push hard for global agreements to be reached on "coal, cars, cash and trees". I very much welcome the historic climate agreement secured at COP26 to keep 1.5 degrees alive and protect our planet for future generations.”
In his speech, James referred to the fact that over 30 countries and some of the world’s largest car makers committed to make all new car sales zero-emission by 2040, and by 2035 in leading markets, and that the UK has committed to end the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
He therefore welcomes this week’s news that work has started on the installation of a county wide Electric Vehicle Public Charging Pilot in Denbighshire.
He said:
“I am delighted that Denbighshire County Council has secured a total of £57,400 grant funding from the UK Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles supported by the Energy Saving Trust, to support the delivery of an Electric Vehicle Public Charging Pilot. This will provide fast charging points in eight public car parks across Denbighshire for use by the public.”
The Public chargers will be installed at:
- Fern Avenue, Prestatyn
- Factory Ward Car Park, Denbigh,
- Bowling Green Car Park/ Lower High Street, St Asaph
- Market St Car Park, Llangollen
- Pavilion Car Park, National Pavilion, Llangollen
- Cae Ddol Car Park, Crispin Yard, Clwyd Street, Ruthin
- Craft Centre Car Park, Park Road, Ruthin
- Morley Road Car Park, Rhyl
Work on the pilot is expected to be completed by early summer.
Concluding his speech, James said:
“Climate change is real, it is happening now, and it affects every one of us.
“What we must not lose sight of is that there is still every chance that we can deliver on our targets of net-zero by 2050 and our global aim to restrict global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.
“We all have a role to play. There will be setbacks along the way and it will not be easy, but we must all take responsibility for achieving the goals we have set, Governments included.
“I will continue to press my Ministerial colleagues to go further and faster to achieve our climate targets and you can do your bit through local action and through the democratic process. Ask candidates who put themselves up for election what their views are, and support those with realistic and deliverable plans.”
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