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The climate crisis cost myth 

The climate crisis is devastating people and nature across the globe and we’re running out of time to create a safer future for generations to come. So many of the world’s biggest challenges, from tackling poverty to preventing wildlife extinctions, are made more difficult by climate change. 

The current cost of living crisis is front of mind for millions of people across the UK. Inflation, energy price hikes and food price increases are squeezing many households’ pockets. In the short term, people desperately need support to help afford everyday basics like food and heating. 

But what about the long term? All too often our leaders will say that acting on climate change is something we can’t afford to do right now. The truth is – action on climate change is the financially sensible thing to do and could make life more sustainable, affordable, healthier and safer for everyone. We know that delaying action only increases the cost for future generations. We need our leaders to step up and take action to deliver on their climate promises and help people find a way out of the economic crisis.

© Global Warming Images / WWF

A healthier, fairer, greener future 

Right now, the soaring price of gas means that many millions of people are struggling to pay their energy bills. It doesn’t have to be this way. Innovative technologies already exist that can not only create a world free of manmade climate change, but improve our standard of living too: 

  • Cheaper, warmer, carbon neutral homes: Running our homes on renewable energy with no big fossil fuel costs, and better insulation would mean cheaper energy bills in the long run. 
  • Affordable and healthier food: The food system is the second biggest contributor to climate change (after energy). Reducing food waste, increasing sustainable farming, and a global increase in eating more plants relative to animal protein, would lead to healthier, more affordable food for us all. 
  • Better transport: We need to improve access to public transport and car sharing schemes. And wider use of electric vehicles, as their prices continue to come down and are cheaper to run, would help to avoid volatile fossil fuel prices. 
  • Health benefits: With lower emissions and increased nature the air will be much cleaner. This, together with eating healthier, sustainable diets, would lead to health benefits for all, and would reduce pressure on the NHS. 
  • Better wellbeing: Increases in nature such as trees and saltmarshes to absorb carbon would provide more natural spaces and more wildlife for us to enjoy. 

Tackling climate change will restore nature, protect people, reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events. It will also benefit us all in our everyday lives – and boost the UK economy as a whole.  

© Alffoto

How do we make it happen?

Leadership. We need rapid action from industry and governments to create the systemic change that’s required. All countries produce a ‘Nationally Determined Contribution’, which states the nation’s climate change plans. Each year there is a global meeting to discuss progress and next steps – the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP). 

The UK government has put in law that we will be net zero (carbon neutral) by 2050. But we are not currently on track to meet that. We don’t just need strong plans and empty promises, we need action. The UK Government legally needs to update its Net Zero Strategy and we need to see a plan that tackles the climate and nature crises whilst addressing the cost of living.

© Shutterstock / foxbat / WWF

Here's what we can all do to help protect our planet and save money: 

  • Reduce our food waste; 
  • Consider eating more planet-based food;  
  • Reduce our energy use by heating the person, not the home, switching off appliances when not in use, and switching to a green energy provider. We have a useful ‘Better home, cooler planet’ report that can help guide you on how to reduce your bills and increase your house value;
  • There are some really handy energy saving tips from the Money Saving Expert that can help save you money in the winter. 
  • Take public transport where possible; 
  • And most of all tell your MP that we want to see our government take action to meet their target of making the UK net zero (carbon neutral) by 2050.