Wrexham’s possible new MPs tells you what they think and could do on climate change

Candidates looking for your support have been invited to share their views on a range of issues.

As part of our election coverage ahead of the poll on Thursday we asked all candidates a range of questions, with a theme based collection from all candidates below. You can also read individual answers to all the questions here on our Election 24 page, plus links to party manifesto, supplied bios for candidates and links to find out where exactly your polling station is!

Question: How do you think climate change will affect Wrexham in the future, and what as a local MP can you do on the matter?

“Climate Change” used to be a possible future risk. Remember that? I’m devastated to concede, the future is here, and the risk has occurred. We have to deal with the impacts that we see, and we simply must realise the importance of preventing further decline for the sake of ourselves, our families, and our future generations.

Wrexham, Wales, and the UK is at risk in a number of ways: Adverse weather conditions of floods and droughts; the air quality we breath; the water that runs through our constituency; the increase risk of infections with warmer temperatures; the vulnerability of the elderly and frail; the unpredictable supply and cost of food and power from elsewhere in the world.

It is such a relief that climate change is finally on the agenda of most of the parties’ manifestos. As is so often the case, The Green Party stands on the right side of history have stressed the importance of the climate emergency for so long.

We need strong clear action to mitigate against further decline; and also adapt to cope with the changes that are already here.

We’re already feeling the effects of climate change, with flooding regularly affecting the Wrexham area and this is only likely to get worse in the coming years.

We need to make urgent changes. The Lib Dems have a plan to make homes warmer and cheaper to heat with a ten-year emergency upgrade programme, starting with free insulation and heat pumps for those on low incomes.

We want to invest in renewable power so that 90% of the UK’s electricity is generated from renewables by 2030 and we’d remove the Conservatives’ unnecessary restrictions on new solar and wind power, and supporting investment and innovation in tidal and wave power in particular.

Taken together, these measures can help the UK to reach Net Zero by 2045.

The climate and nature crisis is the greatest long term challenge that we face. We have already seen the impacts of this in Wrexham with more regular extreme weather events such as heatwaves and flooding. We must act urgently to tackle this before it worsens. A major part of this will be the move to net zero as quickly as possible – by generating clean power from renewables. Labour will set up GB Energy, a publicly owned company that will invest in clean energy generation across the UK whilst at the same time reducing people’s energy bills; create highly skilled, highly paid jobs; and increase our energy security. We must also make homes more energy efficient with a programme of insulation and other measures. Locally we can work together on local power generation schemes from which local communities will benefit directly.

Climate change will affect the whole world in the future – we’re already starting to see the extreme weather events and nature emergencies caused by it across the globe –
flooding, droughts, forest fires to name a few. We need to be implementing plans for renewable energy sources; community owned to take control of our own resources and in turn lowering energy bills as well. We need to focus on preservation of our natural areas and reverse nature loss as a priority; already 1 in 6 species in Wales are threatened with extinction! Plaid Cymru is committed to reaching net-zero targets in Wales by 2035 and reversing biodiversity decline by 2030.

No response to our Q&A has been received.

Again, environmental policies and Farming are DEVOLVED issues and managed by the Welsh LABOUR Government in Cardiff. Our green spaces are our pride and joy in Wrexham and environmental measures, combating climate change and securing our environment for the next generation starts at a local level. Over the past five years, I’ve helped to raise thousands of pounds to support sustainable local projects and worked with groups, such as Holt Community Gardeners, Wrexham Litter Pickers, Erlas Gardens and Rossett Food Cupboard. It’s crucial to safeguard our environment for future generations, but we must balance environmental strategies with economic realities. Green policies should not financially overburden families and small businesses (as per question 2).
This balance is evident with our Welsh Farmers, who are suffering due to Welsh Labour Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme; which mandates that 20% of farming land be used for re-wilding. This is economically impacting our farmers and increasing food prices. It’s a balance that Labour is failing to deliver.
Wrexham needs a strong advocate to challenge the Welsh Labour Government, while promoting pragmatic, sustainable environmental strategies. I will continue to be that robust voice for our community.

With all the information available I don’t believe that C02 is an major issue, Net zero will only make people colder and poorer.

You can read more Q&A answers here on our Election 24 page along with more election information – remember to GO VOTE ON THURSDAY!

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