The Earth's Corr: 11 things NI politicians can do to improve our lives and the climate

As I write this, I’ve no idea who the winners and losers of the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly Elections are.

Some 239 candidates from parties not quite as diverse are we are put their hats in the ring - but just 90 will take a seat in the next mandate.

And hopefully - for all our sakes - they’ll do a deal to get the Executive back up and running.

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Like every election in this wee place, which for better or - more often - worse, we’ve had the usual tripe.

But when it all boils down to it - it doesn’t really matter whether this is the election that sees us take a step closer to a border poll or sees off the NI Protocol.

That’s because if Stormont don’t do something and fast, all we’ll have left is an industrial waste land bereft of any life but us after years of abuse those in power have done nothing about.

Whether we’re united with the east or the south - the cost of living crisis, climate crisis, biodiversity crisis, never ending pollution problems, incessant dumping, razing and burning, toxic air and the health problems that go with it all are coming for us whether we prefer the colour green, orange or any others in the rainbow.

People on the Shankill are breathing the same toxic fumes as those on the Falls, while the ammonia wafting through our country air cares not if it pollutes the noses, waters or lands of Catholic or Protestants.

These are the issues we need the next Executive to hit the ground running with if they really care about us.

Neither a border poll or ending the NI protocol are issues that will put oil in the tank and food on the table right now.

It won’t matter a damn if we’re still tethered to GB or edging closer to RoI, if we’re all freezing because we can’t afford oil or gas with no forthcoming grants to insulate our homes and make the transition to clean and cheap energy a reality for all.

Nor does anyone care when they get cancer despite never having smoked or drunk and all they can see in front of them is months of waiting lists and a health service that can’t even treat the symptoms of a toxic environment, never mind acting to prevent them.

So when our new MLAs win their seats and we see who’s come out top, I hope they’ll keep those things in mind when deciding whether to go back into government or not and what they do when they get there.

I know Stormont only gets what Westminster gives it to spend.

But maybe this next mandate they’ll spend what they have ushering in a clean and healthy environment where all of us can thrive rather than supporting fossil fuels, propping up big business, stuffing their faces in the Stormont canteen at cost price, paying companies to cut benefits recipients and put disabled people through the mill while giving themselves yet more pay rises while children go hungry and the elderly freeze.

I’ve put together a handy list of 11 things politicians can do to truly improve all our lives:

1. Grants to insulate and draft proof every home in NI, install heat pumps and solar panels
2. A plan to make NI self sufficient in food terms and bring down the cost for households
3. Free public transport for under 21s
4. Move to an active travel first strategy and bring back the trains
5. Reinstate grants to help people buy electric cars and install chargers
6. Clean air and water strategies and an end to sewage pollution
7. Ban pesticides and introduce cutting schedule for public land that supports insects and wildlife
8. End all support for the fossil fuel industry and move it to renewables
9. New eco villages for all those on housing waiting lists and a ban on the sale of public land
10. Pay farmers to rewild a third of their land and grow veg
11. Last, but by no means least, an independent environment agency to hold polluters and environmental menaces to account

I know it’s an aspirational list, but by focusing on creating a healthier and happier society where people have homes that are fit to live in and money in their pockets will save a fortune in the long run.

No pollution means less sick people and more green space means better mental health and wellbeing.

We all know prevention is better than cure - and I’d say cheaper to boot.

It would also be nice to finally get a home we can all be proud of after everything this wee place has been through.

Do what you can to help birds thrive

Our wee birdies need all the help they can get (RSPB NI)

Many of our birds are now endangered and with a 9 day heatwave predicted by the Met Office, the RSPB is urging people to do what they can to help.

Birding season is well underway and our feathered friends are busy finding mates, building nests and bringing up their new broods.

That’s why it’s illegal to cut down and trees or shrubs at this time of year.

Here’s a list of things you can do to help birds in the days and weeks ahead:

1. Put up nest boxes or cups – swifts and house martins’ new status sadly means they’re in danger of extinction. They need suitable places to nest when they come back to the UK to breed and so putting up a nest box fit for these birds can really help.
2. Leave out a muddy puddle – as our days get warmer and the ground hardens, less mud is available for house martins to use to build their own mud cup nests. A simple way to help is leaving out a dish of soil and water mixed together – your very own muddy puddle – for these birds to make use of while we enjoy the sunshine.
3. Plant to attract insects – having an insect-friendly lawn, planters or even balcony box will help a range of pollinators and provide much-needed food for birds.
4. Put away the pesticide – using chemicals to kill dandelions and aphids also impacts on a whole range of insects in our gardens. In time, this affects the very things you were trying to protect – plants, soil and wildlife – for example reducing the available food for migratory birds.
5. Watch your step when out and about – lots of people don’t realise many birds nest on the ground. Little terns for example nest on shingle beaches, so putting dogs on leads and watching where you walk can help to reduce the risk of disturbing their nests.

We need to future proof our homes

All new homes should be insulated to within an inch of their lives (Getty)

I’ve been thinking about homes a lot of late - the many who don’t have one and the many that aren’t fit for modern day living.

Then there’s the throngs of them being thrown up all over what was once lovely greenspace when there’s plenty of waste land lying about.

I know someone who has a house that was finished by a developer in just 2020.

But here’s the kicker - we know we have a climate crisis on our hands and very little thought appears to have gone into making it as eco friendly as possible.

The woodburning stove doesn’t connect to the heating - so that’s wasted energy.

It’s got oil heating when we know electric heat pumps work and not a solar panel to be seen.

The home is double glazing, when we know much more could be done on that front to keep heat in and the insulation could be a lot better than it is.

I know the Department for Finance is looking in to how we can improve building regulations and future proof homes.

But I think it’s high time we made sure every new home being built in NI is as energy efficient and climate friendly as possible starting now.

Why not get the rules rolled out before a sod is even cut and make sure the materials are as green as possible too.

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