We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world and yet this summer we are facing both an energy and a water crisis. A decent home that provides refuge from both extreme heat and cold and access to food and clean water are basic human rights and yet we are facing a winter where 45% of a pensioners income could be spent on their energy bill and food banks are already running out of food. This makes me very angry but I am also heartened by the many grass roots campaigns that are rising up .
In this cost of living crisis, all workers deserve a pay rise. The rise in food and energy prices we are seeing is not caused by workers, and they shouldn’t have to pay for this cost of living crisis.
More people need to have the confidence to get together with their colleagues and demand a better deal at work. That is why I will be supporting the RMT strikes this Saturday. Essential workers like these carried on through the Covid epidemic alongside many other workers and yet the government refuses to negotiate. A well functioning and well staffed railway system is an essential part of greening our transport network and moving away from private cars. In Wales the government has committed to no compulsory redundancies and protecting staffing levels, why can’t the same apply to the rest of the UK?
Water and Energy are public goods.
The national mood is changing, with 66% of people supporting bringing our energy and water and transport systems into public ownership. As I write the first welcome drops of rain are falling but not enough to ease the drought we are now facing in the South East. This comes at the same time as we learn that water companies are still allowing 25% of our water to be lost to leaks, and sewage continues to be dumped in our rivers and seas. Just wait to see the sewage alerts the minute we get heavy rainfall.
Grass Roots Action
It is easy to feel helpless in the face of all this bad news but taking part in grass roots campaigns or helping make small practical changes together is a proven way to increase our wellbeing.
Like Clean Water Action who use citizen science to independently test our bathing water or Strandliners who audit litter as they pick to see which companies are the biggest offenders litter wise. A survey by Surfers against Sewage in 2020 showed that Coke and Pepsico were responsible for 25% of all beach litter found.
Opportunities to save money and live lightly on the planet
Children are going back to school very soon, an expensive time for parents. Emmaus has a free second hand uniform shop and choosing refillable tubs and bottles for lunch boxes also saves money and waste.