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media release everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 26 organisations, ONE voice) General Election Announced: Coalition calls for action on climate from all candidates Tuesday 5 April 2005
Sign up for action updates via: http://www.everyonecan.org
A 26-strong coalition of Scotland's leading environmental organisations today (Tuesday 5 April) called on parties to put the environment, and specifically climate change, firmly on the political agenda between now and election day on 5 May. Campaigning together as the everyone coalition, the groups plan to mobilise their collective half a million supporters to challenge candidates to pledge 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 candidate' the groups are seeking pledges from parties to deliver year-on-year cuts in climate emissions.
Speaking on behalf of a coalition of 26 Scottish environment groups campaigning for action to tackle climate change President of Scottish Environment LINK, 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 need to see increased action from our politicians to cut global climate change. We need to see year-on-year cuts in climate pollution.
"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."
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
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 briefings and information on contacting candidates.
• 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).
[2] 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
For more information:
FoE: Lang Banks/ Michelle Lowe on 0131 554 9977
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