High hopes and hard truths as politicians meet public on climate change

UPBEAT politics met public pragmatism when politicians and the people came together to discuss climate change.

The meeting highlighted the practical obstacles faced by Britain’s policy-makers in meeting the environmental challenge.

The event last weekend at Ormesby Hall, in Middlesbrough, was staged by the charity Hope For The Future, whose mission is to promote an open public-political discussion around climate.

Redcar and Cleveland MP Jacob Young was among those there and, expressing pride in the green Teesside revolution, was fairly typical of the positive messaging among politicians at the event…

However, when asked what they thought about the challenges involved in tackling climate change, local residents at the event were powerfully sobering.

Those who spoke to Climate Post highlighted issues including the expense, for everyday families, of green technology; the need for effective local democracy; and the problems of persuading other countries to take global action…

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston readily acknowledged the enormous challenges faced in tackling climate change, and told us that what’s needed is a mixture of high-sighted ambition and hard-nosed pragmatism…

Finally, former Redcar and Cleveland Mayor and Ormesby Lib-Dem councillor Carole Morgan said while local people are keen to protect their local natural environment, things are more complex when it comes to the ‘bigger picture’…