8. Short Debate: The impact of climate change on mental health

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:12 pm on 9 June 2021.

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Photo of Luke Fletcher Luke Fletcher Plaid Cymru 6:12, 9 June 2021

I think one important thing to mention when we talk about mental health and the climate emergency—and, of course, I’m very grateful to Delyth for bringing this short debate forward—is, of course, job security. Tackling climate change has to be a priority, and that, for me, is where the idea of a just transition comes in. It means moving our economy to a more sustainable one, in a way that's fair for all workers, no matter what industry they work in. Many people's livelihoods and wider communities are tied to the polluting industries like steel, oil, and factories more generally, and some of these industries are going to have to drastically change—some shrink and others potentially disappear entirely—which will ultimately change the lives of workers and their communities for generations to come. And let's remember, of course, that we've seen the impact of an unjust transition through the closure of the pits by Thatcher, for example, the effects of which we're still dealing with today. So, one thing I think will go a long way is the establishment of a just transition commission, similar to Scotland, to oversee the changes the Government make with regard to the shift to net zero, to ensure no-one is left behind, no matter what industry they work in. I'd hope the Government would agree with me on this.