|
media release everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 25 organisations, ONE voice) Reminder to MSPs on the environment: Friday 2 May 2003
everyone spokesperson, George Baxter said: "Responsibility for the health and well being of our people and environment lies in your hands for the next four years. The impacts of the decisions you make or the issues you neglect will affect the environment we all depend upon now and in the future."
A System 3 poll in February showed that 86% of the Scots think the environment is an important political issue. This has been reflected by massive support for the everyone campaign and by the significant gains for parties such as the Scottish Greens. Throughout the campaign, all over Scotland, people have been quizzing their candidates on their commitments to the environment; via email, by letter and through hustings meetings that attracted hundreds of people.
Baxter added: "The success of the parties with the strongest green credentials has show that it is time for politics in Scotland to wake up to the environmental agenda.
"In any partnership negotiations between Labour and the Lib Dems, everyone will be looking to both parties to stick to their pledges. The Lib Dems in particular must uphold the environment commitments they set out in their manifesto.
"As the everyone assessment showed, the Scottish Lib Dems produced one of the strongest manifestos on the environment. It is vital that their commitment should not be weakened as part of this partnership. In the last coalition we saw Lib Dem priorities such as Strategic Environmental Assessment pushed out of the government's work programme - this must not happen again."
Scottish Environment LINK said it was looking forward to working with the new administration and all MSPs to improve Scotland's environmental credentials.
"There has been plenty of rhetoric, but now it is time for action. The environment is not an add on extra. Our health depends on access to clean air, water, safe food and open spaces. Key industries are dependent upon good stewardship of our resources and natural heritage.
"The environment must be considered throughout decision making. Sound environmental policies present a fantastic opportunity, with massive job potential in developing industries such as renewables and recycling, securing futures for us all."
1. the 'everyone' campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK. Some 26 organisations with nearly half a million supporters combined forces to push the environment up the political agenda in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections.
2. an opinion poll by System 3 published by the campaign on 26th February showed that the environment was likely to be a decisive issue for the majority of those voters:
3. Scottish Environment LINK is the liaison body for voluntary sector environmental organisations in Scotland. The members of the network are supported by around 500, 000 people.
4. The everyone assessment of manifestos can be accessed online at http://www.everyonecan.org
|