News / climate change
Bristol’s new mural exposes the government’s failure on climate change
A new mural in Bristol has exposed how the government’s policies around pollution are undermining the UK’s climate credentials.
Created by local artists, the mural highlights how the government’s anti-climate proposals are at odds with its so-called “world-beating” climate ambition.
The Zero Carbon Campaign, which revealed the mural based at Temple Gate, highlights the expansion of Bristol airport and urges the UK government to meet its net-zero commitment through fair and widespread carbon pricing and the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies.
“It’s time to stop airlines’ taxpayer-funded free ride,” says Alethea Warrington of the climate action charity Possible.
“Around the world, people are already paying the price of fires, droughts and storms as the climate heats up. Yet air travel, which is the world’s most polluting form of transport, pays a lower rate of tax than someone filling up at the pump to drive to work or buying a bike.”
“If the UK is going to live up to its role as a climate leader we need to make polluters pay, not give them tax breaks – and make sure that they stop polluting. To tackle the harm aviation causes to the climate, we need a fair, progressive tax such as a frequent flyer levy, along with a tax on emissions.”
The mural was painted by the artist Holy Moly. Credit: Holy Moly
Similar murals have been revealed at other locations across the UK, also based on local issues such as waste incineration in London, the failure of the Green Homes Grant in Cardiff and of oil and gas exploration in Brighton.
The mural will be displayed at Temple Gate sites for two weeks from June 7.
Main photo: Holy Moly
Read more: New report warns climate change will hit Bristol’s disadvantaged communities hardest
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