Ms Grant speaking this morning after reading an article in a national newspaper about the heat wave afflicting Western Europe fuelled by the climate crisis and how low-income families are often the most disproportionately affected and women are always at the sharp end of the hardships.Ms Grant said this was not surprising because the working class, have always suffered the effects, of the capitalist system, whose greed in the pursuit of profit,has always placed wealth above the health and wellbeing of people.
Asad Rehman, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth, points out that vulnerable or marginalised groups often endure the most of climate crisis-based hardship globally. In built -up cities, socioeconomic aspects of this disparity can be most acute. The lack of green open spaces and trees, mean poorer communities in densely packed flats and houses tend to suffer the most. Rehman cites a study that found tree shade reduced maximum surface temperatures by 19C, while grass reduced them by 24C.
Ms Grant argues that instead of a brand-new civic centre or other vanity projects resources should be used to provide more green spaces like parks and play areas that contribute not only to reducing our carbon footprint but also provide a healthier and cleaner environment.
Ms Grant finished by saying children had to be sent home from school because of the extreme heat, and parents had in many cases miss work to accommodate childcare, which added to an increased financial burden on low-income households. It is time we took the initiative on climate change. The Workers Party have submitted many responses to departmental proposals on climate change. Yet, nothing much ever changes, our government knows that the capitalist system that puts profit margins before the health of our citizens and planet, and the damage that over production causes. But they are bought in to the capitalist system and will not challenge or demand changes that benefit our economy and our society.
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CLANRYE NEWS 