Public support for the green transition remains strong

Let's not have another Brexit - Story 71

Sir Tony Blair remains a big beast in UK politics. That says as much about the current crop of politicians as it does about his capabilities. In a foreword to a report from his eponymous institute, Sir Tony made a number of specific suggestions which together suggested politicians should change tack when addressing climate change.

There are three responses to this.

Read the report by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), The Climate Paradox: why we need to reset action on climate change: It said

• there an acceptance of limits on renewables

• there should be more focus on carbon capture

• we should acknowledge that fossil fuels remain part of the mix

• there was a bigger role for nuclear

• and suggested a rethink of COP summits.

Critically, as Observer pointed out in its editorial

Blair has no doubts about the "inconvenient truth" that climate change is one of the fundamental challenges of our times;

he points to the "inconvenient facts" that show things are not moving quickly enough to meet that challenge.

Then read the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) latest report. It makes grim reading.

Alternatively watch the CCC’s explainer on YouTube.

Finally, consider current public opinion in the UK. After all this was at the heart of the TBI report. As the Guardian pointed out,

As the 89 Percent Project, backed by the Guardian and other media organisations around the world, has underlined, global backing for a rapid green transition remains overwhelming.

In Britain, research by the More in Common polling group - below - has found strong approval for net zero targets, not least on the grounds of energy independence and national security

Keep in mind the perception gap or pluralistic ignorance that exists around climate change. This is a phenomenon in which people mistakenly believe that others predominantly hold an opinion different from their own. Often this result in the ‘silent majority’ moderating their public and private statements, including answers to pollsters.