Stephen McCabe and Inverclyde's Contribution to the Planet

With COP26 happening on our very own doorstep, each person of influence now has a responsibility and duty to help convince people to live a greener lifestyle. Stephen McCabe, a Labour member of the Inverclyde Council is one of those people who could help to make a difference in his constituency.  Whether it is something as dramatic as stopping the use of cars all together, or just remembering to use our recycle bins, McCabe is confident that Inverclyde can play its part in helping to save our planet.

Inverclyde. Photo by Kieran Gallagher

Although helping to change the climate is not the "top priority" according to McCabe, it is something that the council are always plugging away at in the background. McCabe believes that things like poverty and drug abuse are still the main causes for concern in Inverclyde but thinks that living a greener lifestyle could help overcome some of these problems. 

He said: "I wouldn't say that it's our top priority as there are so many things we hope to overcome, none more so than providing a clean life for the people of Inverclyde, with no poverty or drug and alcohol problems, but in my opinion, living a more climate friendly lifestyle could help people struggling in more ways than one. If we all pull together and help the planet, it will open up so many opportunities for people who may be struggling right now, as well as securing better lives for generations to come."

Over the past few years Inverclyde has doubled down on its plan to help stop climate change.  The Council achieved significant reductions from all sources of carbon other than waste. Moreover, despite the changes to how carbon emissions from landfilled waste are calculated, the Council has reduced its carbon emissions by 13.7% over the period 2007 to 2016. Now it has a plan in place which looks at not only reducing carbon emissions but how the council can adapt to current and future climate change. A small but key adaptation to roads of Inverclyde has now been put in place with the addition of cycle lanes on main roads throughout Greenock.

Overlooking Inverclyde. Photo by Kieran Gallagher

McCabe does not underestimate the challenge of trying to convert Inverclyde and its people to a much greener lifestyle, but he is determined to get people to engage with climate change.

He said: "I know there will always be people who disagree with scientists and politicians as was evident with the Covid-19 pandemic, but for the majority of people, we are heading in the right direction and things are looking up. It is now our duty to make sure that these standards do not slip, and we must lead our lives in the way that we hope that the people of our town will follow."