• UNITED Nations scientists this week said there must be “rapid, deep and immediate” cuts in CO2 emissions to prevent our planet being hit by “unprecedented heatwaves, terrifying storms, and widespread water shortages”.

If emissions are not curbed by 2030 we will face a dangerous future; 20 per cent of the planet likely to be too hot for humans to live and billions of people around the world suffering drought, famine and flooding.

The scientists, from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change criticised leaders who “are saying one thing but doing another. Simply put, they are lying. And the results will be catastrophic.”

The IPCC’s criticism could easily be applied to Camden Council, which has made minimal reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and consumption since declaring a climate and ecological emergency in 2019.

This is why I am standing for election as an independent candidate in Haverstock ward, where I have lived for over 30 years.

Under the One Vote for the Planet banner I will press the council to prioritise action on the climate and ecological crises in every decision it makes.

The UK Climate Assembly of 2020 said that steps to reduce global warming must be underpinned by education, choice, fairness and political consensus.

The council has a significant role to play by rolling out a public information campaign, which Camden’s leadership promised would start in January 2020 but has yet to happen.

As well as tackling the causes of climate change, we must act together to enable our borough’s communities to survive the stresses that climate change will bring by protecting green space and mature trees, and planning new buildings in a responsible way. We must have policies that support family life and provide local employment.

On May 5 voters in Haverstock ward have the opportunity of using one of their three votes to vote for the planet and a habitable world. Find out more at the website. www.onevotefortheplanet.uk

ALICE BROWN
Independent candidate for Haverstock ward