BROMSGROVE District Council, which declared a climate emergency in 2019, has appointed Coun Dr Michael Thompson to be the Cabinet Member responsible for Climate Change.
He said: “Tackling climate change is a collective responsibility.
“No government and certainly no district council will do it alone.
“Bromsgrove District Council, however, is responsible for reducing its own carbon footprint as well supporting residents and businesses to do likewise.”
Coun Thompson warned against the authority ‘acting in haste’, especially when it came to using public funds.
“The council has declared a climate emergency but not a climate panic.
“There is a tendency in such times to virtue signal with expensive vanity projects.
“This is not what hard working people voted for, however, and not what we will be doing.
“We fully intend to seek the ideas of others but they must be effective and have a measurable effect in reducing our carbon footprint, protecting the environment and supporting the council’s role in tackling climate change. ”
Bromsgrove District Council leader Coun Karen May added she was looking forward to working with Coun Thompson on Climate Change which she said was not a political topic.
“There is no difference – across the political spectrum – in wanting to create a better world for future generations.
“The council has already declared a climate emergency and the creation of this cabinet post is indicative of how seriously we take it.
“Michael has a strong scientific background and has been a practising vegan for over 20 years.
“Before becoming a politician he was active in several climate action movements – with this blend of experience and scientific understanding, I can think of no better colleague to take on this role.”
But Labour’s Coun Harrison Rone-Clarke said more ‘bold, radical steps’ were needed to tackle climate change.
“Already, Germany is underwater, Texas is reeling from extreme weather, drought in California, a heatwave across Europe and so much more.”
He questioned whether a new cabinet position was needed and whether the ‘cabinet member for environmental services’ should have done more in her role.
Click here for what Bromsgrove District Council is already doing to address climate change.
