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We The Curious boss urges Sunak to address delays to net zero action
The chief executive of We The Curious has urged Rishi Sunak not to grant new licenses for oil and gas in the North Sea.
Donna Speed has published an open letter to the prime minister which also appeals against the government’s decision to delay actions on net zero.
It comes as the science centre on Millennium Square is now taking bookings for school trips from April 2024 after being closed since April 2022 following a serious fire on its roof.
is needed now More than ever
“We cannot in good conscience support the government’s move to grant new oil and gas licences and to roll back our country’s net zero strategy,” wrote Speed.
“The development of those oil fields goes against everything we must do to slow down and reverse the damage that has been done via fossil fuel consumption.
“It has been laid out very clearly by the IEA, ‘no new investments in oil, gas and coal from now’, and yet the government has continued to go against the advice of scientific experts.
“Before we go further into the evidence, we invite you to imagine what our future could look like:
“It’s 2045. Fresh air, energy security from renewable sources, and clean waterways and coastlines for everyone to enjoy.
“We are now living within our planetary boundaries, and nature and people are thriving.
“Our economy, based upon science and green technology, is strong and sustainable. We celebrate achieving a just transition to net zero, five years before we committed to, and we become global leaders in the transition.
“Isn’t that the future that we wish for our planet?
“To reach that goal, we need clear decisive leadership now, that immediately moves us away from our reliance on fossil fuels and invests in a robust net zero strategy.
“We appreciate that there is a complex economic landscape but any roll-back on this strategy will mean that there will be an increased burden for future generations with the crisis having deepened further.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Campaigners gather in Bristol to oppose Rosebank
- We The Curious staff to move back into fire-damaged building
- How is Bristol leading the clean energy transition?
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