Column | Dan Norris, Metro Mayor – 26/09/2023

Good politicians can ‘make the weather’. So goes the old adage.

It speaks to how good politics, and good politicians, can take the decisions necessary to grip the big issues of the day, and improve society.

But sadly, this metaphor has acquired a literal sense, as the impact of the climate emergency we all face becomes clearer by the day.

Our weather is changing. Think of last year’s ‘False Autumn’, which spelt disaster for our trees, and animals who rely on them. Or our recent washout summer.

And it’s just the start. Experts say wetter winters, and more intense heatwaves will become more frequent due to climate change. Think of the heat-health alert earlier this month, with temperatures ramping up to 29C in places like Radstock and Keynsham.
‘Unusual’ weather will become the norm.

One of the things that concerns me is the impact that will have on our West of England economy, and the million-plus people I represent as Metro Mayor.

It’s why I’m afraid I wasn’t surprised at this month’s GDP stats, with this summer’s rainy weather apparently causing a big slump in the economy, particularly in retail and construction.

The truth is we must get on top of this urgent problem and build a climate-resilient economy – here in Bath, and across our great region.

Otherwise, we are sleepwalking into climate chaos, and economic chaos.

Under my leadership, my Mayoral Combined Authority is getting on with the serious business of investing in climate resilience, in the absence of leadership from government.

It’s why I’m working with the Met Office on a brand-new, region-wide climate adaptation plan after ministers’ own one lacked the regional ambition necessary to take the tough choices we need to make to create a climate-resilient West of England economy.

That means actions like planting even more trees like our new Great Avon Wood near Pensford, the biggest new woodland in our region ever funded by my Mayoral Combined Authority, as well as keeping streets cooler and retrofitting shops to keep them cosy.

It also means more solar panels, like the one I saw at Middle Ground Growers in Bath who’ve won one of my Bee Bold Awards, and the ones people can get more cheaply thanks to my Solar Together scheme.

Readers can still take part at www.solartogether.co.uk/west-of-england

This is also stuff we’re already doing through my £60 million Green Recovery Fund, and other green programmes I’ve launched these last two years.

And, of course, it’s about transport, which is why we need to encourage more people out of cars, especially for shorter everyday journeys. So, if it’s your Birthday coming up, do apply for your free Birthday Bus pass at www.birthdaybus.co.uk!

We launched the scheme in Bath and ever since thousands of local people have been enjoying bus journeys without limit for free throughout the whole month of their birthday.

These are steps locals can get behind wherever they live.

Words are easy. It is action that is required. So, let’s brace for further storms ahead, and keep the West’s economy thriving. We can make the weather – together.