CAMPAIGNERS are calling for support in tackling the ‘unemployment crisis’ and ‘climate crisis’ in Delyn.
Over the weekend, six passionate people from Delyn formed a socially distanced ‘jobs queue’ in Tower Gardens, Holywell.
The retired teachers, carer, factory worker, council employee and unemployed man held placards calling for a ‘green new deal’.
New research shows that over 1,552 jobs could be created in Delyn across green infrastructure and care work in the next two years.
The data, compiled by Green New Deal UK, shows that Delyn is likely to suffer over 998 permanent job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, losses which could be ‘replaced entirely’ with jobs in new and existing industries. This includes jobs in sectors like solar energy, offshore wind, social care and energy efficiency - all of which are ‘essential to the UK meeting its national and international climate targets’.
Rob Owen, local organiser said: “The increasing numbers of people reliant now on food donations eg from St Peter's Church, Holywell, shows what need there is for good, fairly-paid jobs. Retrofitting (ie mainly insulating) houses all over Delyn would provide hundreds of jobs, whilst - importantly - cutting heating costs.
Rob Owen (left) and Pat Rogers - two of the organisers of the new Green New Deal Delyn hub - based in Holywell
“The proposed tidal lagoon between Mostyn and Talacre would also create jobs and in addition would benefit the local tourism industry.
“Delyn is mainly rural and with starting up grants from the Welsh government, many local food-growing and related enterprises could be created.
“Jobs along parts of the Dee Estuary coast to build effective flood defences against rising sea levels are also needed.”
Previous research from Green New Deal UK found that 1.2m green jobs could be created throughout Britain in the next two years at a cost of around £68bn.
Mrs Owen added: “Transition Holywell & District members want everyone to support Green New Deal UK because massive public engagement offers the best and maybe only hope for building enough pressure on politicians to force them to enact the radical changes needed – and to do it quickly enough.
“Research shows that you can tackle unemployment and create jobs whilst tackling climate change at the same time.
"We can’t afford not to do this. There’s an unemployment crisis and a climate crisis and a Green New Deal can create thousands of good green jobs right here in Delyn.
“We all know that climate change is going to have a huge impact everywhere and we can’t just go on fiddling while Rome burns.
Campaigning in Holywell
“The UK Government could invest in these green jobs right now to boost our economic recovery - but they are refusing to.
“If you compare what we are spending to France, Germany and the US, we are falling behind what is really needed to tackle unemployment and the recession, let alone sort out climate change.
"People want to work, but the jobs don't exist even though there is so much that needs doing. Jobs insulating houses, growing food locally, building more wind and solar energy; creating excellent, user-friendly public transport systems - and also investing in key worker jobs which keep our communities strong - like caring, healthcare and teaching - all these low carbon jobs are urgently needed.”
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