Welsh Government urged to make televised briefing on the climate and nature emergency

Stephen Price

As wildfires continued to burn across parts of Wales overnight, a Senedd petition has been created calling for the Welsh Government to organise a prime-time televised briefing on the climate and nature emergency, delivered by independent experts.

The petition states: “The scientific evidence is clear that climate change and nature loss present an escalating threat to Wales. However, the public debate is increasingly shaped by misinformation.

“We therefore call on the Welsh Government to take steps to organise a prime time televised briefing on the climate and nature emergency, delivered by independent experts, setting out:

“- the true scale and immediacy of the threats facing Wales;

“- the choices that the nation faces if it is to mitigate these threats.”

Publicising the petition online, campaigner Adam Johannes shared: “We are already living with the climate emergency. Farmers are facing drought. Communities are dealing with heatwaves, floods and wildfires. Wildlife is disappearing. But most of us still not being given the full picture.

“We are watching the unraveling of the natural world that has sheltered human civilization for centuries, while public life is filled with distraction, euphemism and denial. Governments continue to talk about (and water down) targets and strategies even as the emergency accelerates.

“That’s why I’m joining the call for the Welsh Government to organise a prime-time televised briefing on the climate and nature emergency, delivered by independent experts.

“We deserve clear, honest information the scale of the danger, speed and consequences of what is unfolding, and of the choices we now all must face together. If we’re going to protect our communities and the people we love, we need to understand what is happening and what can still be done.”

Cobra meeting

The petition comes amid reports that Andy Burnham will chair a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee on Wednesday in response to extreme heat, which has caused widespread wildfires and plunged many parts of the country into drought.

The Prime Minister will meet with ministers, officials and agencies as high temperatures continue across the UK on Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures of 33C forecast, and up to 38C on Thursday.

Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Home Office, and Department for Health will attend. The Environment Agency will also be present.

It will be the second Cobra meeting this year on heatwaves, after one took place amid high temperatures in June.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the Government understood firefighters, farmers and NHS staff were all facing challenges connected to the weather.

On Tuesday a firefighter union chief warned the country faces a “national emergency” amid ongoing wildfires.

The Met Office said the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record, as parts of the country face their fifth heatwave this summer.

Rare amber “extreme heat” warnings have been issued by the forecaster for London and parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire from 9am to midnight on Thursday.

The Government urged the public to pay attention to UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts, and advised people should drink plenty of fluids and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at high risk.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of COBR – the government emergency committee – this afternoon on the UK’s ongoing response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought.

“We know how challenging this summer is proving, particularly for firefighters tackling wildfires, farmers working in drought conditions, and NHS staff in busy A&E units.

“We will continue to take the action needed to keep communities safe, protect water supplies and safeguard the environment.”

Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued.

“High pressure is now becoming dominant and temperatures will build day by day. Southerly and south-easterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe which helps develop this further notable heat in what has been a hot and dry summer so far for many in the south of the UK.”

It comes as Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), warned the UK faces a national emergency “right now” with fires across the country.

Firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone, while July was the busiest month on record for wildfires with 458 incidents, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said.

Mr Wright told Times Radio: “In many parts of the country, firefighters do not have the new modern equipment to deal with these.

“They do not have the new modern personal protective equipment, the lightweight fire kit that we wear, the right helmets, lightweight helmets, breathable uniforms to make sure they’re better protected, their health is protected when they’re out dealing with these incidents for hours and hours on end.”

The Government said it had announced £97 million in new funding to upgrade national firefighting capabilities, including off-road vehicles and specialist equipment.

Nearly three quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought, after a record dry July and very dry start to August has combined with high temperatures to put pressure on water resources.

Record-breaking heatwaves in May and June led to the deaths of more than 2,800 people, while parts of the country were hit with further heatwaves last month as England and Wales endured their driest July since records began in 1836.

The Environment Agency said 71.3% of England is now experiencing “flash drought”, as a dry start to August followed the country’s driest July on record.

Flash drought is one which develops very quickly because of a combination of very low rainfall and high temperatures.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I want to thank NHS staff who are once again stepping up to cope with the extra pressures that hot weather brings.

“Extreme heat can be dangerous, so staying aware of warnings and alerts in place can make a real difference.”

View the petition calling for the Welsh Government to take steps to organise a government-led televised briefing on the climate and nature emergency here.

The Welsh Government has been asked to respond.

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