11 June 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted just how trapped we are in the chaos of overlapping crises. We have been trained to address our societal issues in silos. But as Greens, we know everything is interconnected.
We need an all encompassing fully integrated answer. We need a solution that radically brings emissions down, while creating secure jobs, quality housing and delivering justice to those who have been abused by racist, oppressive and destructive systems.
We need a just and transformative Green Recovery. We demand it.
A truly Green Recovery means building an economy that protects both the planet and people. It means building resilient and regenerative communities, health care and food systems. It means not having to choose between keeping our houses warm and feeding our families. It means a roof over every head. And a social security system that lifts every single one of us up.
As Caroline Lucas outlined in her speech from her doorstep a few weeks ago, our framework for a Green Economy includes:
Last week, we called on the Government to take immediate action to protect BAME communities and start an independent public inquiry into why people of colour are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. We also led the call for a suspension of sales of weapons which are being used to violate human rights in the US.
We must not allow the events of the past days, weeks and months to become just another reminder of how broken our societies are. Inequality, injustice and suffering do not stop when the novelty of the news cycle wears off. Change comes when people take action and tip the balance of power.