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media release
everyone campaign
NEXT EXECUTIVE MUST TAKE BIG
GREEN STEPS FORWARD
Scottish environment charities present
their visual petition at Glasgow Science Centre
27 April 2007
Media invited to attend launch of exhibition: 11am Friday 27 April, Glasgow
Science Centre
The everyone campaign, backed by weather forecaster Heather Reid, has
so far collected nearly two thousand green footprints from people all
over Scotland, in support of its election campaign. This Friday-Sunday,
these will be displayed at the Glasgow Science Centre, where visitors
will also have a chance to add their voice to the cause by colouring
in or painting their footprint.
Heather Reid, who is backing everyone in promoting the importance of
the environment, said:
‘Tackling Climate Change poses one of the world’s biggest
challenges. Future generations are relying on all of us to be more considerate
of our environment.’
The creatively coloured array of footprints were contributed by a wide
cross section of Scots in all walks of life - for example 250 have been
contributed by Firr Hill High School, Edinburgh.
Everyone, an initiative by Scottish Environment LINK, a network of charities
representing over 500,000 members, is a campaign for better policies
on climate change, green networks, management of Scotland’s nature
and sustainable food. This year’s ‘Vote with your feet’ campaign
is also urging people to vote and to consider environmental policies
when they do.
Fred Edwards, President of Scottish Environment Link said:
‘Whatever the complexion of the government following the election,
they need to understand that the environment has to be the context for
all other decisions. Politics and economics are negotiable, the environment
is not.’
Notes to editors
Media are invited to attend the launch of this event at 11 am on Friday
27th April in the Climate Change Theatre, Glasgow Science Centre.
The LINK president, Fred Edwards will give a short talk and there will
be a photo opportunity.
The everyone campaign calls for action on four areas of environment policy:
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.
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.
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
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.
About LINK
Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland's voluntary environment
organisations - 36 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental
interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally
sustainable society. The everyone campaign is supported by 24 Scottish
environment groups within LINK as well as other partner organisations.
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