Focusing on the Big Picture

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF

The climate emergency has the potential to bring us together - we share the same home and all have a vested interest in its ongoing ability to support life. Unfortunately, we currently seem to be experiencing increased division and polarisation in our society.

The Welsh Government recently published the findings of its Roads Review. Its recommendations were welcomed by many and praised as “world-leading”. However, it has also generated significant opposition.

Whilst our views on the review may differ, most of us can hopefully agree that:

• We need to reduce carbon emissions/ air pollution

• This is unlikely to be achievable without significant “modal shift” from cars towards public transport and active travel

Whether we like it or not, scientific evidence indicates this is one of the things we need to do. The review’s recommendation that future road investment should support modal shift and reduce carbon emissions therefore seems reasonable. Deputy Climate Change Minister, Lee Waters’ assertion that we can’t tackle the climate crisis by continuing to do the same things is correct.

Characterisation of the review as an attack on motorists is neither accurate nor helpful; many of us who drive also use public transport, walk and cycle and will potentially benefit from reallocation of resources. We’re not being told to never use cars; we’re being asked to try to reduce journeys or use other forms of transport where possible. If we’re successful, then when we do have to drive we should enjoy decreased congestion.

It’s been highlighted that many planned improvements to public transport have yet to happen. This is true, but funding these whilst continuing to spend just as much on roads is unlikely to be affordable. The roads review isn’t proposing stopping all spending on roads - some road schemes are still going ahead, whilst others may do so in amended form. It’s simply saying that road schemes should only proceed if this can be shown to be consistent with tackling the climate crisis and achieving net zero.

Polling suggests most of us agree that we need to do more to tackle the climate and ecological emergency. An element of division seems to creep in when it comes to our willingness to accept what meeting this aspiration actually involves. The solutions won’t necessarily be easy or comfortable, but we need to try to avoid creating division and focus on why taking real action is in everyone’s interest.