UNITED KINGDOM: Academics warn that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s actions against environmental organizations could negatively impact his party’s performance in the upcoming general election. They argue that the public’s support for the UK’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050 is firmly established, with opinion polls showing 71% of the British population supporting policies to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
Prof. Joe Smith of the Royal Geographical Society believes Sunak is primarily targeting a specific constituency within his party, as younger people seek climate change action.
The conflict between the government and environmentalists escalated when Greenpeace activists covered Sunak’s North Yorkshire home with black fabric, opposing his proposal to increase UK North Sea oil and gas reserves.
Campaigners have previously targeted the houses of David Cameron and John Prescott in similar stunts. On this particular occasion, though, Conservative response was far more harsh. Ministers instructed federal staff to end any interactions with the group, which restricts the ability of government representatives to work with environmentalists on matters like deep-sea mining and marine protected areas.
According to the policy director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change Bob Ward, Greenpeace and other environmental organisations are being demonised, which appears to be the government’s latest extreme tactic to support the polluters rather than the polluted.
The majority of people agree with the objectives of environmental organisations and favour safer weather, clean air, and rivers and beaches free of sewage.
The environmental movement is focusing on utilizing the political commitment to achieve net zero. Smith suggests that established green organizations should be more cautious and focused on their aims, as they may be intimidated by Extinction Rebellion’s actions. The environmental movement should have more ownership over the public dialogue on creating a better tomorrow, involving researchers, businesses, media, and other cultural organizations, as per Smith.
Sunak’s anti-green rhetoric may suggest significant differences in environmental issues in the country. Smith was sceptical 30 years ago about convincing the public that climate change is real, driven by humans, and urgent action is needed. However, all of this has been accomplished, which is quite encouraging, he added.
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