Gary Haq: Tory blueprint for a green revolution

Climate change poses the greatest environmental threat to the region. Action will therefore be required to address our contribution to the problem as well as ensuring we are able to cope with the impact of extreme weather events and a rise in temperature.

A green revolution in Yorkshire would require a reduction in our dependency on coal and a huge increase in renewable energy and energy efficiency. About 27 per cent of the country's carbon dioxide emissions are the result of domestic energy use. Mr Cameron should follow the example of Kirklees Council's award-winning Warm Zone scheme.

This home insulation scheme targeted at 170,000 homes has resulted in the average household saving 200 on fuel bills each year while reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by over one tonne. He should roll-out similar schemes across the region and provide cavity wall and loft insulation, energy efficient glazing, draught proofing, improved boilers and low energy light bulbs free to every home. All new buildings in the region should meet stringent energy performance standards. And we should move away from using energy and resource intensive materials such as steel and concrete to straw bale and timber. To see an example of sustainable construction in practice, Mr Cameron should take a look at York's Eco-Depot – a timber framed building with straw bale cladding all sourced in Yorkshire.

There is great potential in the region to use renewable sources of energy. As the saying goes "Where there's muck there's brass" – the region's sewage could be used to produce biogas. Wind power could be harnessed by constructing Danish style offshore wind farms along the region's coastline while water turbines in major rivers and streams could be used to provide hydropower.

These measures, together with the introduction of community-based low carbon technologies such as solar water heating, solar electricity, ground heat pumps, micro-wind turbines and combined heat and power, could allow a Yorkshire "smart grid" to be developed and reduce the region's dependency on energy from the National Grid.

The region has already experienced its share of flooding due to torrential rain. This has resulted in serious disruption to roads, schools, offices and caravan parks and has caused great distress and millions of pounds in flood damage. Mr Cameron should invest in flood and coastal defences to ensure all flood prone towns and villages in the region are adequately protected. In addition, there should be a major tree-planting programme throughout the region to increase the uptake of rainfall and prevent future flooding.

The creation of new woodlands will also have the added benefit of providing fuel wood and wildlife habitats.

We also need to see a revolution in the way we grow our food. Greater incentives should be available to adopt sustainable agricultural practices such as permaculture – an ecologically harmonious efficient and productive approach that stresses the value of diverse crops.

Support should also be given to promote small-scale local food production, which not only increases food security, but also reduces food miles.

Mr Cameron should visit Todmorden's Incredible Edible initiative to see how public attitudes to local food production have been revolutionised. The whole community – including businesses, schools and farmers – have been "growing their own". Public flowerbeds have been transformed into community herb gardens and vegetable patches. The initiative has increased the amount of local food grown and eaten in the town.

Our urban environment desperately needs to be made safer, cleaner and more people friendly. Mr Cameron should promote car free cities, walking and cycling and convert car parks to green spaces.

In order to maintain local distinctiveness, he should limit the number of supermarkets and chain stores allowed to open on our high streets and promote local businesses instead. Reducing pollution,

improving the character and feel of our local environment will result in happier and healthier residents.

A green revolution in Yorkshire cannot take place without its foot troops. Mr Cameron should provide funding for a region-wide "Green Home Front" to encourage residents, businesses, public bodies, community organisations and schools to work together to make their communities greener. Only by harnessing people power can we revolutionise the way we live and ensure a transition to a new greener age.

If Mr Cameron succeeds in becoming Prime Minister, he will need to deliver on his promise to put environmental policies at the heart of government. In doing so he should remember the words of his predecessor, Margaret Thatcher, who said: "No generation has a freehold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy – with a full repairing lease."

TOMORROW: Education and the rural economy