We're in an emergency, and we know what to do

What does the word “emergency” mean to you?

In April 2019, London City Council declared a Climate Emergency, responding to the UN Special Report on Global Warming. The UN is calling for a 45% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 in order to avoid the kind of catastrophic climate change that would threaten our entire civilization.

Any interpretation of the word “emergency” recognizes that it means action, now. However, London’s existing master plans for transportation do not guide us toward the necessary 45% reduction. According to a new research study just completed by a subcommittee of the Cycling Advisory Committee (CAC), following London’s existing transportation master plan will result in us producing about 150% of the greenhouse gases required by the target – that is, exceeding the target by half!

About half of London’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. The CAC subcommittee made its calculations based on the assumption that all public transit would be electrified by 2030 and that an increasing number of personal vehicles would also be electrified. Even assuming that 100% of London’s personal vehicles are electrified by 2030, we will still exceed our 2030 target.

The only way we can meet our Climate Emergency target is to increase cycling and walking in addition to improving public transit service and increasing the share of electrified vehicles. Based on the experience of many other cities across the world, we know that the only way to increase cycling is to make it safer. For the cost of 2-3 typical road-widening projects, London could create a network of safe cycling infrastructure for the entire city. But London is still planning its transportation plans around the private automobile, at great cost to both the climate and city budgets.

We know that when we build for cars and traffic we get cars and traffic. London needs to start building for cycling and walking, and it needs to start now. Because it’s an emergency.

If you want to support this prescient report there are two clear actions for you to take:

1) Show up at council on Tuesday October 29th at 4:00pm (take the elevator to the third floor gallery)

2) Contact your city councillor by phone or email. We’ve drafted a template letter if you want to use it, but please know personalized letters or phone calls are the best - tell them why this is important to you and your family.

3) Record a short video message of support.

You can read the presentation or the report for more information.