IT HAS been positive to see the coverage in the Argus about the threat of climate change and its impact on our city: maps showing streets likely to be underwater; news on air quality, and on closing school streets to cars.

As many will be aware, the Greens successfully called on the city council to declare a climate emergency, because the need for a city-wide response to the climate crisis could not be more pressing.

Come 2020 we will have 10 years left to limit our carbon emissions to keep the globe at a safe temperature.

Meeting the challenge of climate change requires a bold, community-focused approach.

So I have been dismayed to hear the city's own Labour lead on the environment talk this week about progressing a Park and Ride in the city.

Park and Ride is no solution - it shifts toxic car emissions from one part of our city to another, and will not cut congestion, reduce air pollution or make bike or pedestrian travel options either safer or more attractive.

It's also difficult and costly to implement - any car park would be in the National Park which means it would probably fall foul of their tough planning rules. This is why for decades, successive Labour and Tory councils have promised Brighton and Hove voters Park and Ride, yet never delivered it.

Despite this truth, the Labour Party just can't let go of their fantasy of a 'big solution.'

In an Argus column, leader of the council, Nancy Platts, also said an 'electric car revolution' is on its way.

We must acknowledge for many, a car is the only readily available mode of transport. Yet an RAC survey found that most people would ditch their car, if public transport was cheaper and more available.

We could make progress here. There are 100,000 cars in the city, can that continue? Are electric vehicles the only answer? The response is probably no.

Let's be clear: piecemeal solutions will not meet the challenge of climate crisis.

If we agree there is an emergency, we need to create the conditions needed for people to make positive changes.

Whether it's a boost to public transport, walking and cycling, action on air pollution, or a Green New Deal to create jobs in renewable energy sectors, there are important and ambitious ways forward. We need our leaders to set the tone and look at city-wide solutions - not put energy into promoting ineffective sticking plasters.

Councillor Pete West, Green Opposition Lead on Environment Transport Sustainability Committee

Councillor Hannah Clare, Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide

Deputy Convenor (External Relations) of the Green Group

Green Group Spokesperson on Children Young People and Skills Committee & Youth Service Lead