Cycling through the Glasgow rain, against the morning headwind towards the Gallowgate, it was clear that despite the gloom Storm Babet had let our city off lightly.

We avoided the kind of devastating flooding in places like Argyll or Angus, spared heart-breaking scenes still being played out on our TV sets and newspapers, of lives and memories being washed away overnight.

But the reality is that there are more storms on the horizon – and Glasgow is vulnerable to their ­effects.

Bold transformative changes are needed here to re-shape urban communities into sustainable, livable places that let people and nature flourish.

Seeing those effects of extreme weather and flooding across the country, we will all be aware of how serious the environmental crisis is, and the impact it’s having on our homes, infrastructure, the way we travel and almost every other aspect of our lives.

Looking back on my 20 years as Glasgow’s Scottish Green MSP affords me a real sense of perspective on some of the biggest issues of our age. In that time we have seen progress locally and nationally on tackling the climate emergency.

But the pace of change has been far, far too slow.

Here, for example, traffic pollution was on the agenda when I was first elected, but it’s only now that we finally see a Low Emissions Zone up and running.

If we are to meet Scotland’s target to tackle climate change by 2045, the next 20 years have to be afforded more urgency.

Fortunately, there are already some great and inspirational examples of climate leadership in Glasgow.

Glasgow’s Scottish Green councillors have fought for an ambitious net zero target of 2030. In Govanhill the Niddrie Road retrofit project is showing how Glasgow’s traditional sandstone tenements can massively cut their energy use (and bills!) so that climate action cuts fuel poverty too.

The new Stockingfield Bridge reconnects three communities previously cut off from each other - Ruchill, Maryhill and Gilshochil - creating better routes for walking, wheeling and cycling and helping to overcome the culture of car dominance within the city.

Every level of government needs to step up with answers about how we’ll fund the changes that the climate emergency demands. We need to show that a greener city can meet people’s everyday needs without destroying the rest of the world around us.

The UK Government is doing the opposite of what’s needed, downgrading climate action while giving the green light to the massive Rosebank oil and gas field. It won’t cut bills, it won’t benefit the country, and it’s an act of sheer climate vandalism.

So I’m pleased that Glasgow’s Scottish Green Councillors have successfully secured a commitment from Glasgow City Council to support the Stop Rosebank campaign.

A serious response to the climate emergency will put people’s wellbeing first, and create livelihoods that can last for the long term.

It will help create prosperity to meet people’s needs without trashing the planet or serving only the short term greed of the wealthiest.

The contrast between Westminster’s climate vandalism and the policies we are pursuing with the Scottish Greens in government here in Scotland could not be greater.

We have opposed new oil and gas licenses, removed peak rail fares and invested record amounts in walking, wheeling and cycling.

In Glasgow, more than 10.5 million journeys have been made by young people since free bus travel for under 22s was launched last January.

Glasgow can continue to be the Dear Green Place, but we need to ramp up the pace of change if we’re to turn our aspirations into a reality.