Don't Forget Your Greens?

The UK's 'green Tories' (environmentally-concerned members of the ruling Conservative party) are said to be worried that the current Prime Minister's eventual replacement will be less concerned about climate change and loss of biodiversity than their predecessor (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/08/green-tories-fear-lurch-away-from-progress-on-climate-after-johnson). There is, of course, a strong probability that some candidates for the PM post, will see a 'watering down' environmental protections, as their vote winner. They will argue that 'green' concerns are costly, so abandoning them is a partial solution to the 'cost of living crisis'. The costs of not meeting our environmental commitments could, however, make the 'cost of living crisis' pale into insignificance. People should also remember that, whilst the current PM has been very active in making pledges (they provide photo opportunities!), actual remedial action has been largely lacking. Even worse, the UK has currently developed a considerable reputation for not sticking to its pledges. Any sensible replacement for the PM position would have to do better on environmental issues.