'Costs and benefits' in tackling climate change
Updated on 10 December 2009
In a special edition of Channel 4 News, Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband tells Jon Snow and a panel of members of the public that in addition to the costs, there are potential benefits to climate change in the shape of green industries and energy security.
Despite the row over leaked emails, allegations of scientists manipulating figures and problems in Denmark with draft figures, here Mr Miliband's department has done an effective job of warning us of the perils of global warming should it go unchecked.
But how much has the government told us about the cost to every household in Britain and the personal sacrifices we'll all have to make if Britain is to become a low carbon economy?
In a discussion with members of the public at Channel 4 News, Mr Miliband said: "We've said that as a result of making a transition of our energy system to lower carbon it will be a cost of something like 8 per cent additionally on bills by about 2020.
"So there are costs to making the transition. It will mean big changes in our energy, big changes in relation to our homes, because we'll need more insulation in our homes, we'll need to change the way we get energy in our homes, and it will mean changes to the transport system as well.
"I think the important point to say is that there are costs, but there are benefits as well. Because if Britain can be part of a Copenhagen agreement we can see jobs flow into this country in the new green industries, we can see more energy security because if we have low carbon energy like windpower it is likely to be homegrown energy.
"And I think we can improve people's quality of life. So there are definitely costs, and I'm very open about that. I think there are benefits as well. Quite apart from the most important benefit which is avoiding the environmental disaster that would result if we don't tackle climate change."
The Twitter debate
We asked viewers to tweet their views on the debate as it unfolded on television. Below is a chronological selection of their responses.
@thedancingflea: A good straight answer from Ed Miliband re. the cost of transition: 8% increase on bills by 2020.
@tigerreuseit: people can handle the truth!
@mpb: Ed Miliband – I’d like to see schools teaching more “life skills”, including energy conservation. How to influence this?
@billyboyjohal: interesting stuff about climate change. Need to be radical – forget incentives. That sounds like marketing talk.
@thedancingflea: I do wonder how many times Ed Miliband will have to answer the Vestas question.
@TheWaterboarder: isn’t all this new green legislation the West’s way to stymie the carbon-heavy burgeoning economies fo China and India?
@ArmyCrow: why isn’t money being spent on feasible new technology such as fusion using sea water, rather than nuclear or coal?
@gerryjoiner: seems to me the minister is more interested in media appearances than really tackling the problem.
@karaadora: tell Miliband to put his legs togther. Not a view I appreciate on television.
@NickSherrard: the people on this panel verge on the fascist – why would the minister have the right to tell people what to eat?
@davidchivall: if people continue to fly and consumer as we are, then our kids won’t have opportunities we had.
@TheWaterboarder: stop eating meat? If meat were banned we’d have to eat soya – which is one of the most carbon-heavy crops in the world!
@rakeshk4u: why have they expanded flights from London City Airport from 76,000 to 120,000 flights? Most flights are short-haul.
@davidchivall: I’m impressed Jon Snow can remember everyone’s names.
@josswinn: interesting how audience seem to want gov to tell them what to do through legislation on climate change.
@lonevoice12: Miliband and co., lead by example, give up your limos, first class air travel. You guys are full of bull!!
@garytomwilliams: basically Ed Miliband should be listening to that Channel 4 News audience. We are crying out for radical…
@n00diz00diz: where were the climate sceptics?
@oxfamgb: been watching Channel 4 News debate with Ed Miliband. Do send them your views on what Ed needs to get from #COP15.
@oxfamgb: We think #cop15 needs to deliver 40% emissions cuts by 2020 and $200bn p.a. of climate finance.
@lonevoice12: Just look at the carbon footprint you guys at Copenhagen have left! You guys need to lead by example, not by “persuasion”!
