Local Liberal Democrats launch their plan to tackle Medway's environment

Today (22 April) is Earth Day, a time when each of us is asked to take stock on how they can do their part to tackle the climate emergency facing our planet. Yet there is only so much an individual can do, especially when the major contributions to Medway's carbon emissions are out of their control. A person cannot determine what kind housing is built, the kind of public transport is used or how their homes are powered. Medway Council may only contribute directly to a small percentage of Medway's carbon emissions, but they have the powers to help reduce over 30% those emissions. Therefore if we are going to meet our 2050 net zero target, we are going to need new ambitious policies.

That is why the Medway Liberal Democrats are using Earth Day to launch our bold 5-point plan to tackle climate change and meet our net zero targets. Broken down into the five most important issues, we have laid out detailed ways on how we would use the powers the council has to tackle this looming global disaster (see attached graphic). Our detailed environmental policy for Medway is at:

https://medwaylibdems.org.uk/en/page/5-point-environmental-plan

Stuart Bourne, spokesperson for the Medway Liberal Democrats said 'The climate emergency is the greatest threat facing our world, and I want to do all I can to protect my children and my grandchildren from its effects. Medway Council have the powers to help to stop it, yet their current plans are unambitious and are led by people who care more about looking green then being green. But our plans are bold and fresh, and we're not afraid to make them the number one priority of the council.'

We plan to announce more details of each of the five arms of our recovery plan over the coming weeks, and this only the first of many policies we will be releasing as we approach the 2023 local elections. Medway is in desperate need of fresh new ideas on how it can solve is many problems, and the Medway Liberal Democrats have them as well as the energy to make real change happen to our community.

ENDS

Additional Text for Editors:

For more information about our environmental policy for Medway visit: https://medwaylibdems.org.uk/en/page/5-point-environmental-plan

For more information about Earth Day 2022 visit: Earth Day: The Official Site | EARTHDAY.ORG

This is the moment to change it all - the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods.

For Earth Day 2022, we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It's going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens - everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.