The leader of the Green Party has called for fossil fuel companies to finance firefighting helicopters in response to recent fires in Britain. At a press conference on Wednesday, Zack Polanski urged this action, describing the situation as “the biggest threat to this country since the Second World War.”
Polanski also appealed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to show courage and honesty by halting new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, particularly at the Jackdaw and Rosebank sites off Scotland’s coast.
Devastation
Joining Polanski in central London, BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham advocated for making irresponsible journalism a criminal offense and implementing a wildfire warning system.
Numerous fires have recently erupted across the UK, including significant ones in Dunwich Heath, Suffolk; Headon Warren, Isle of Wight; Llanwonno, Rhondda Valleys, South Wales; and the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
Polanski criticized the government for failing to issue emergency briefings or develop a new plan to safeguard citizens during these crises, stating, “the sheer scale of the devastation is hard to comprehend.” He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent future disasters.
Firefighting
He advocated for a comprehensive wildfire prevention strategy and a well-resourced fire service capable of combating fires, including access to firefighting helicopters. He criticized the reliance on charities to contract private firms for fire response and proposed funding these resources through taxes on fossil fuel companies benefiting from these disasters.
Currently, England’s fire and rescue services reportedly lack direct access to firefighting aircraft. Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, has previously supported investing in specialized wildfire resources, including aerial firefighting.
Scary
Polanski also called for public ownership of water companies, highlighting financial losses to shareholders while water leaks persist during drought conditions. Addressing Burnham, he reiterated the need for honesty and bravery in adhering to the party’s stance against new North Sea drilling.
He argued that the recent events demonstrate the necessity of these changes, framing the situation as an existential threat.
Packham questioned the absence of a public system to alert and prepare citizens for wildfires, noting that while such a system exists for fire services, it is not public due to perceived unreliability. He criticized the inability to ban disposable barbecues as an example of inaction.
Actions
Packham also urged a shift to a plant-based diet, identifying animal agriculture as a major cause of biodiversity loss. He stressed the need to combat misinformation with positive campaigns to help the public discern truth before encountering falsehoods.
He warned against the pervasive impact of repeated lies becoming accepted truths, particularly challenging the notion that net-zero targets are unaffordable. He suggested that irresponsible journalism should be criminalized.
Following the press conference, a Labour Party spokesperson commented, “Actions speak louder than words.”
This Author
Will Meakin-Durrant is a member of the Press Association political staff.
