Climate
change
Loss of our wildlife and habitats
Destruction of our landscape
Pollution of our seas
Our health and wellbeing
The policies of our governments leave massive footprints on the environment.
What can we do as individuals to change that and to improve quality of life across Scotland?
We can talk to politicians as one loud voice, rather than a lot of little ones. We can remind them who put them in power in the first place. We can persuade them that unless they change the way we treat the planet, we’ll change them – by voting for someone else.
The upcoming Scottish Elections in May 2007 are our opportunity to tell politicians in Scotland that they must act NOW to safeguard our environment and improve quality of life in Scotland.
We are asking political parties and potential politicians to commit to our 4 steps to improve the environment in Scotland:
GREEN NETWORKS FOR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE
Scottish executive transport spending should be diverted to deliver an investment programme which ensures that every school and major public centre is accessible via pollution-free, safe cycling and walking networks by 2017. These networks should be linked into a series of well managed wildlife-rich greenspaces, creating green routes between town and country.
Why?
Cycling and walking networks will reduce traffic congestion and pollution, provide quality local environments with opportunities for outdoor recreation and sport, and create social cohesion, enhancing people’s quality of life. Greenspaces will provide natural living space for species and the creation of green networks will allow plants and animals to move through the landscape, improving their chances of survival.
TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE AND FUEL POVERTY
By 2010, the Scottish executive should ensure that 40.000 houses a year are built or renovated using super insulation so that they have little or no heating bills and can meet part of their own energy needs using green technologies. (Such as solar panels, mini wind turbines, biomass boilers, heat pumps and micro or combined heat and power.) A programme should also be introduced to ensure that these technologies are installed into all public buildings.
Why?
Scientists agree that at least a 60% cut in CO2 emissions will be needed by 2050 if dangerous climate change is to be avoided. Failure to meet this target will contribute to extreme weather, placing 77.000 properties in Scotland under threat from flooding and affecting 2 billion people worldwide. Energy used in our homes accounts for 25% of energy use and carbon emissions, so cutting CO2 from this sector is vital to stop climate change.
Fuel poverty – not being able to afford to heat your home, is caused by poor energy efficiency, low income and high fuel prices. 100.000 children in Scotland and 25% of households in rural Scotland are thought to be in fuel poverty. As fuel prices go up, this will only get worse. Insulation and green technologies would help slash heating costs and protect people from rising energy prices, allowing them to heat their homes properly.
BETTER PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SCOTLAND’S NATURE
Better protection and management of Scotland's seas, landscapes, wildlife and habitats through a Marine Bill for Scotland, new legislation for protecting landscape and increased funding to help halt the loss of species and habitats in Scotland by 2010
Why?
The health of Scotland’s seas is failing. Important habitats and species at sea and on land are disappearing. Parts of our beautiful landscape are often destroyed and degraded. If we are to safeguard our environment for future generations, we need to take action now. A thriving, wild-life rich environment enhances our quality of life and, as we are increasingly realising, promotes physical health and mental well-being.
HEALTHY SUSTAINABLE FOOD IN SCOTLAND’S SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS
The Food for Life initiative, piloted successfully in schools in East Ayrshire and the Highlands, should be rolled out across Scotland for all public procurement so that unprocessed, locally sourced, organic food is provided in all Scotland’s schools and hospitals by 2017.
Why?
The Food for Life initiative will improve the quality of meals provided in Scotland’s schools and hospitals, whilst also supporting local food economies by building connections between food producers and local communities. The programme is designed to raise awareness and appreciation of good food and a healthy diet, fighting the epidemic of obesity among children and adults in Scotland.