Climate Change Action

Dear Editor,

Yesterday Sarah Cassidy reported on research carried out by Age UK into the health effects of cold homes. Nearly thirty thousand deaths a year due to poor housing and high energy bills in the UK. This is a disgrace.

It is also disappointing that the amazing Spread the Warmth campaign being fought by Age UK to rectify this situation seems to have garnered very little in the way of support from Green NGO's. Surely this is a clear climate change mitigation and health synergy where there should be cooperation? It is reported that £1.4bn is spent by the NHS each year dealing with cold related illnesses. By comparison the governments flagship home insulation scheme had a budget of just £1.1bn over three years from 2008 to 2011.

I sincerely hope that Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and others join this drive to improve housing standards. Energy bills would be cut, carbon targets would be that much closer to being met, and in the medium term related NHS expenditure would decrease. Surely even this coallition govornment could be convinced to go for a win-win-win policy?

Yours faithfully,
Calvin Jone