People need more than a report to take action

Often looking at the news can feel like the whole world is run based on ‘reports’. One report says we need to stop eating chocolate, another will say it cures cancer. 

It’s never very clear who commissions these reports or if they’re helpful - how many people really read beyond the executive summary? But they come about, create a day or two of fanfare with the media, allow various commentators to give their two pennies, and before too long there’s another report to digest.

Last week was no different for reports, as the IPCC, which stands for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published a shocking document that suggests the Earth is heating up much quicker than originally projected. 

In fact, it says that since 1970, global surface temperatures have risen faster than in any other 50-year period over the past 2,000 years. It’s no surprise that the head of the United Nations called this report a “code red for humanity” as, around the world, we’re expected to have more extreme heatwaves, droughts, and floods. 

An essential read

It is an essential read, however, most of us probably didn’t look at it. However, maybe this extreme weather we’ve been experiencing in the West is exactly what the doctor ordered. Previously, it’s always been hard for many to really connect with climate change because we don’t always see it. Most of us in the UK are often quite excited for some hot weather.

This time around, though, it’s been right on our doorstep. So, maybe now we’ll finally wake up. Because evidently the drumbeat of critical reports is not working. For example, about a month ago there was one saying the Amazon region was now producing more carbon than it sucked in. Shocking, but then people have since moved on.

With COP26 on the horizon, the UK needs to show the world that we’re not just going to put on autopilot and are in fact ready for change. But, I’m not sure we will take notice. The problem is there is no real reason for many to switch right now other than the environment – which many disregard. 

This quandary was highlighted in recent days by a BBC report that suggested only the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has an electric car (a Tesla Model 3). Meanwhile, both the Minister for COP26 drives a diesel and the spokesperson for it said she isn’t ready for an EV at all.

These are views reflective for most of the population. But there is good news! In the last month over 1 in 10 cars registered was an EV. This is around double what it was this time last year, and the high growth is likely to continue.

Good reasons

And there is a good reason for this. While many earlier adopters of EVs have been keen to save the environment, increasingly, those switching are doing so to save money. As running an EV can be significantly cheaper. Especially as fuel prices have hit fresh highs due to production shortages – it can now cost more than £40 to top up even a small car. By comparison, juicing an EV at home or even on the road can cost around £5 to £10.

This is what many people will care about over bad weather for the same reason many don’t eat healthy food – the cost to be green can put many off. However, as we quickly reach price parity between EVs and traditional fuelled cars, we’ll no doubt see even more people switch.

So, while the report this week by the climate scientists was greatly shocking, it probably isn’t going to cause people to act. A bit like how no farmer has ever sent their animals to slaughter and then immediately decided to become vegan. 

The report that the UN needs to hope for is one that says, ‘it is now cheaper to buy and run an electric car’. Because people always vote with their wallets. Even if they are on fire or underwater.