It is not only air temperatures that are rising. The oceans — home to up to 80 per cent of all life on Earth — are warming dangerously too.
The average global sea temperature has broken the all-time record, set in 2016, of 20.96 degrees Celsius, according to the EU’s Copernicus climate change service. This matters, because hotter oceans drive marine life to search for cooler waters, unbalancing delicate food chains. But this is not only a threat to fish.
Warmer waters accelerate the melting of sea ice, leading to a rise in sea levels. They also possess a reduced ability to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to more of the greenhouse gas remaining in the atmosphere.
From land to sea, human-induced climate change is stressing our planet beyond safe limits. The only rational course of action is to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero. Instead of retreating from climate policies and feeding a culture war, ministers ought to double down on their pursuit of clean energy and jobs.
Ulez can be a win-win
That transition is a global effort but one with hyper-local benefits, mostly notably when it comes to air quality. Older petrol and diesel cars spew out toxins that damage our internal organs, particularly those of young people. Electric vehicles are far cleaner.
That is why the Standard has consistently supported the extension to the Ultra-low emission zone. At the same time, we have long called for a more generous vehicle scrappage scheme to support those making the switch.
We therefore welcome Sadiq Khan’s announcement of a further £50m, and the widening of the scheme to all Londoners. However, even this injection of funds is highly unlikely to prove sufficient. That is why central government ought to stop looking for ways to hamper the Mayor and instead put up the cash to make the Ulez work.
There is a win-win on the table if all sides want to take the credit for clean air rather than allocate the blame for higher costs.
Holiday messages
Everyone, even politicians, deserves a holiday. And where they go tells us a lot about their political priorities. The climate-conscious or those with an eye on the cost of living often stay in the UK. Others less atuned to such considerations jet off to their foreign properties.
We hope all our politicians enjoy a good rest, before gearing up for the inevitable 12 months of general election campaigning.
