Louise Hazan: Global heating is already costing us – we need to tackle it now

As Donald Trump rains bombs down on the people of Iran and the price of oil surges to $100 a barrel, fossil fuel apologists are trying to sell the lie that the climate transition is “too expensive”.

But what’s really costing us is our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels and the accelerating disaster of the climate crisis.

Climate breakdown hits all of us – but both here at home and across the world it harms the poorest and most vulnerable first and hardest. From flooded homes to failed harvests, from soaring food prices to spiralling insurance premiums, this is not about polar bears. It’s a cost of living crisis powered by fossil fuels.

Right now, this ongoing crisis is pouring ever-more expensive petrol on the already raging flames of inequality. After housing, the poorest households spend 41% of their earnings on basic bills. Energy. Food. Transport. Those who have the least face the biggest shocks.

But the solutions are staring us in the face.

Start with housing. The UK has the oldest and leakiest housing stock in Europe. Insulating homes would slash bills permanently, cut emissions, and create jobs in every community. That’s not a burden imposed by the need for climate action – it’s a win-win.

Or look at our antiquated energy system. Renewables are the cheapest source of electricity by far, but the price is still set by fossil fuels. Speeding up the transition to clean energy would break that link and bring bills down for good. And we have huge opportunities to create jobs that secure a future for oil and gas workers as fossil fuels in the North Sea run out. They’re crying out for a just transition. 

Food tells the same sorry story. Poorer households spend a far greater share of their money on groceries. And while British farmers are battling floods, droughts and unpredictable seasons, the UK imports nearly half its food. Unless we tackle global heating, food prices are projected to surge. How will households that are already stretched cope with a collapse in global food production? 

Insurance? Claims for weather damage are set to rise to £1.6bn for 2025 – more than double annual amounts between 2017 and 2021. We’re already paying for climate breakdown, but Starmer’s failure to tackle it means the bills landing on each and every one of us are chaotic and unfair.

And let’s be clear about justice. The UK has been fuelling the climate crisis and raking in the profits for more than 250 years. We invented the steam engine and pioneered mining, steel and industrial farming. And we built vast wealth on coal and colonial empire while exporting emissions around the globe. Our history comes with the responsibility to do our fair share in cutting emissions and to support the people who are most at risk.

Despite the disinformation from climate deniers, our message is simple: we’re paying the costs of the climate crisis already – now we need those who caused it to cough up to fix it.

There are countless ways to fund a rapid, just transition, but they require the government to make bold, moral decisions that benefit us all. How about stopping subsidies for companies whose business model depends on poisoning the planet? Imagine if billionaires stumped up for the real costs of their extravagant lifestyles? And what if polluters actually paid for the damage they cause?

The real question isn’t whether we can afford to act. It’s how much longer we can afford to delay.

It’s time for Starmer to step up and deliver on climate justice for all, now.

• Louise Hazan is the lead organiser at Tipping Point UK.