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media release
everyone -
Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters,
26 organisations,
ONE voice)
GROUPS ISSUE EUROPEAN ELECTION WARNING
Tuesday 30 March 2004
Environmental coalition aims to
mobilise half million supportersA 26-strong coalition of Scotland's
leading environmental organisations today launched (Tuesday 30 March)
a major
new campaign that aims to put the environment firmly on the political
agenda in the run up to June's European Parliament elections. Campaigning
together as the everyone coalition, the groups plan to mobilise their
collective half a million supporters to challenge prospective MEPs
on range of environmental issues. [1]
The everyone campaign
is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK, the umbrella body for
Scotland's environmental organisations. Following
the success of the everyone coalition's
Holyrood election campaign in 2003, the groups are combining forces
once again – this time ahead
of
the European elections on 10 June. [2] Using the slogan 'your environment,
your vote' the groups unveiled a series of election demands they wish
politicians to take action on. [3]
everyone coalition spokesperson, Fred Edwards, said:
"Some 95 per cent of Scots say that protection of the environment is personally
important to them yet less than a quarter say they are certain to vote
this June. Over 80 per cent of Scottish environmental legislation originates
in the European Parliament. Our campaign is about encouraging voters
to send a clear message to candidates of all parties: that they care
about the environment and want to know what politicians will to do about
it if they are elected. [4]
"When it comes to Europe, the environment is one of the few areas that
the public understands and are demanding further action on. This is
hardly surprising since as much as 90 per cent of Scottish environmental legislation
starts life there. By flying the flag for a better environment for
all,
we believe we are playing our part. Political parties need to demonstrate
their commitment to the environment if they do not wish to see voter
turnout fall even further.
"Over the years European environmental legislation has been good for Scotland's
environment, leading to cuts in pollution, increased recycling and
better protection for Scotland's landscape and biodiversity. Given the success
of our Holyrood election campaign we trust parties will be falling
over
themselves this time around to explain where they stand on these issues."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The everyone campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment
LINK. For more information go to http://www.everyonecan.org
- The campaign is providing user-friendly information
packs and has launched a campaigning website: http://www.everyonecan.org
with briefing
materials and information on contacting candidates.
- Campaign postcards and an
e-mail advert will be circulated widely to encourage people to get involved.
- LINK
groups are organising a series of election hustings meetings. Meetings
have been confirmed so far in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The everyone campaign is supported by: Association of
Regional and Island Archaeologists, Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation
Group, Biological
Recording in Scotland, Butterfly Conservation Scotland, Cairngorms
Campaign, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Hebridean Whale & Dolphin
Trust, John Muir Trust, Marine Conservation Society, Mountaineering
Council of Scotland,
The National Trust for Scotland, North East Mountain Trust, Plantlife,
Ramblers' Association Scotland, Reforesting Scotland, RSPB Scotland,
ruralScotland, Soil Association Scotland, Scottish Countryside Activities
Council, Scottish Countryside Rangers' Association, Scottish Wild
Land Group, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Sustrans Scotland , TRANSform
Scotland,
Woodland Trust Scotland and WWF Scotland
[2] Following last year's everyone Holyrood election campaign, the
Scottish Parliament saw an increase in the number of MSPs proclaiming
strong environmental
credentials. The Partnership Agreement signed between the Labour/LibDem
coalition also contained a very large number of environmental commitments.
[3] There are twelve campaign demand areas. They are: Landscape, Water,
Agriculture, Climate, Biodiversity, Waste, Participation, Toxics, Global,
Marine, Transport and Environmental Justice.
[4] A MORI poll (published in February) conducted on behalf of the UK
Office of the European Parliament revealed that just 22% of Scots say
they are certain to vote in the European elections on 10 June later this
year. At the last European election in 1999 less than 25% of voters turned
out, despite 34% of Scots indicating they were certain to vote six months
prior to the elections. In the same poll, 95% named "Protection
of the environment" as an issue which the European Parliament has
power or influence over that was important to them personally.
More details: John Edward, European Parliament Office in Scotland on
0131 557 7866
[5] Last year, as part of the everyone Holyrood election campaign,
an NFO System Three poll found that 86% of Scots voters consider
the environment
an important political issue. More importantly, 51% said the way
political parties commit to tackling environmental problems was likely
to affect
how they finally decide to vote.
******PHOTO OPPORTUNITY******
The groups also unveiled a campaign website
and promotional materials. A specially commissioned flag based on the
blue and gold European Union flag (but with each of the twelve stars
replaced by an environmental symbol) will now begin touring Scotland
in order to raise awareness of the campaign and the forthcoming elections.
See: http://www.everyonecan.org
******PHOTO OPPORTUNITY******
For more
information:
FoE Scotland: Lang Banks 0131 554 9977 or (pager) 07654 200937 WWF
Scotland: Helen McDade 01887 820449 or (mobile) 07780 957665
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