media release
everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 26 organisations, ONE voice)
Political parties given election warning on climate
Environmental coalition aims to mobilise half a million
supporters
16 February 2005
A 26-strong coalition of Scotland's leading environmental
organisations today (16 February 2005) launched a major new campaign
that aims to put
the environment, and specifically climate change, firmly on the political
agenda in the run up to the General Election. Campaigning together as
the everyone coalition, the groups plan to mobilise their collective
half a million supporters to challenge politicians to step up action
to cut global climate change. [1]
The everyone campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK,
the umbrella body for Scotland's environmental organisations. [2] Using
the slogan 'cut climate change, turn the heat up on your MP' the groups
unveiled a series of election demands they wish politicians to take action
on.
everyone coalition spokesperson, Fred Edwards, said:
"The world’s climate is already changing and the threats are growing day by day. Here in Scotland we are already seeing dramatic changes in our weather such as flooding and landslides. We can expect this and much more when climate change really takes hold. We are looking to convince our politicians to step up action to cut global climate change. This year's General Election and G8 Summit provide a key opportunity to convince politicians to act.
"Our campaign is about encouraging voters to send a clear message to all parties that it is time to step up action to cut climate change. We have set out a series of actions that should be taken to reduce climate pollution. We will be watching closely to see which parties are prepared to rise to the challenge.
"We need our politicians to step up action on industry, aviation, energy and homes. We need our elected representatives to deliver year-on-year progress toward a cut of at least 20 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, and put us on a path to a 60 per cent cut by 2050. We need to cut climate change. To do so we need the public to turn up the heat on their MP."
The everyone campaign is demanding that politicians come forward with policies that will deliver year-on-year progress toward a cut of at least 20 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, and put us on a path to a 60 per cent cut by 2050. The campaign groups also set out six key areas where action could be taken to cut emissions:
-
introduce domestic and commercial energy efficiency targets to achieve a 40% improvement by 2020
-
make the price of all transport journeys more fairly reflect their cost to the environment
-
ensure all new large public buildings include Combined Heat and Power and/or renewables
-
set tough emissions trading targets for power companies and industry
-
double research and development investment in the full range of renewable energy technologies
- create a UK task force to take forward action to address climate change.
Photo credit: Callum Bennetts for everyone coalition; click on images for hi-res versions.
NOTES
TO EDITORS:
[1] The everyone campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK.
• The campaign is providing user-friendly information packs and has launched a campaigning website: http://www.everyonecan.org with briefings and information on contacting MPs.
• Campaign leaflets 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 Edinburgh,
Aberdeen and Perth (dates tbc).
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
******PHOTO OPPORTUNITY******
The groups also unveiled a campaign website and promotional materials. The groups were joined at the launch by suited office workers wearing sub aqua gear (mask, flippers and breathing apparatus) with signs saying: ‘severe flood warning: time to cut climate change’ and ‘severe weather warning: time to cut climate change’.
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For more information:
FoE: Lang Banks/ Michelle Lowe on 0131 554 9977
WWF Scotland: Helen McDade 01887 820449