Last week’s hustings focused on climate and nature, but none of the six Welsh Conservative candidates showed up. I stepped in at the last minute. I felt a connection, especially knowing Extinction Rebellion was part of the West Wales Climate Coalition.
I’m passionate about democracy. Everyone has their opinions, and that’s great, but we should also face the facts. Sometimes, it feels like some ideas drift too far from reality.
One hot topic was whether Ceredigion Penfro should host companies that make military equipment. Many agree we need the high-paying tech jobs they bring. But why should we shy away from this responsibility? The world is dangerous right now, and we should be ready to defend our freedoms.
Another debate centered on economic growth. Looking back to 1948, healthcare has changed dramatically. Today, we spend a lot more, yet our GDP per capita isn’t impressive compared to other nations. Do we want to deny future generations the advances we’ve enjoyed? I believe we need growth not just for ourselves, but for those who will come after us.
What surprised me was that nobody brought up soil health at a climate meeting. Healthy soil is crucial for sustainable farming and tackling climate issues like carbon emissions. When I pointed out that ploughing releases carbon, I got called out. But it’s true.
Welsh farmers and scientists have a unique chance to be leaders in this. Those of us working on farms know that good practices can boost soil health and benefit the environment. If you resist this shift, you’re not helping.
As the world’s population could peak at around 10 billion by 2050 to 2080, we face big challenges: How do we feed everyone while preserving our environment? Avoiding these issues won’t help—strong education, sound science, and hard work will.
It’s also important to stand up for our freedoms. As we approach the next Senedd election, think about which candidates will provide real solutions for the climate crisis. History shows us that real change comes from well-rounded, thoughtful solutions rather than simply socialist ideas.
For further insights, check out reports from trusted sources like the World Bank on how GDP impacts healthcare and other sectors.
