Leading the green revolution
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| Andy Parsons, of Swindon Climate Action Network, and council leader Roderick Bluh |
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TACKLING climate change by reducing carbon emissions is the central issue for Swindon Council.
That was the message from leader Roderick Bluh on the day that the Advertiser kicked off its Time To Change campaign.
Coun Bluh made the claim at the launch of the council's Climate Change Action Plan at the University of Bath in Swindon yesterday.
And he received 150 pledges calling for tough curbs on emissions from Andy Parsons, campaign co-ordinator for Swindon Climate Action Network.
At the launch Peter Madden, the chief executive of Forum For The Future, explained the action plan to community groups and council officials.
Coun Bluh (Con, Dorcan) said: "I'm pleased with the launch of the action plan because effectively I believe it's the number one issue.
"It has rocketed up on the political agenda in the last few months and this is the time to address it.
"It's a top priority because we want to install ourselves as one of the leading authorities in the country.
"I don't think we have got any time to waste on climate change because, as Al Gore's film shows, it is already happening."
The council action plan commits to reducing 1990 levels of carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent in the next four years.
Coun Bluh thinks that is an achievable figure.
He said: "Change has to be made by international and national governments, local authorities and people.
"But it has to start at the bottom and work up, because it is at local level that we can easily reduce our carbon emissions."
SCAN sent out pledges for residents to sign, vowing to cut their own emissions to prompt the Government into action.
Andy said: "We hope these pledges will go some way to showing politicians that people are taking practical action.
"Each person has looked at their own carbon footprint and committed to making several changes before they signed the pledge, so now it is the turn of Government."
SCAN was set up a year ago with the help of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Andy and SCAN events co-ordinator Deb Joffe run a web forum and speak to Swindon residents every day about climate change.
Deb said: "One of the messages we get from people is they feel government is asking them to do everything and not taking a strong lead.
"They would agree to change their behaviour but that stops them committing."
Andy has visited the Arctic to conduct research into the effects of climate change, and believes that urgent action is needed.
He said: "We welcome the council's commitment to cutting emissions but we really have to look at a more radical target.
"That is why the pledge calls for a three per cent reduction in emissions every year, so that we have a concrete achievement every year.
"There will be cold winters when more fuel will be used, but when it is at normal temperature there should be a larger reduction to compensate."
Read all about our Time To Change campaign and find out how you can help save the planet.
8:59am Wednesday 15th November 2006
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CommentPosted by: Kevin fisher on 4:10pm Wed 15 Nov 06
Interesting and worthwhile campaign by both the advertiser and the council. We all need to learn how to adopt a more sustainable life style and there is a great place to receive that education. It is called Lower Shaw Farm, but wait a minute the council want to shut that down and build more houses. Just where is the logic in this madness?
Interesting and worthwhile campaign by both the advertiser and the council. We all need to learn how to adopt a more sustainable life style and there is a great place to receive that education. It is called Lower Shaw Farm, but wait a minute the council want to shut that down and build more houses. Just where is the logic in this madness?
Posted by: David Smith on 8:37am Thu 16 Nov 06
More blah, blah, blah from Bluh.
Cut to the chase... how much is it all going to cost us?
More blah, blah, blah from Bluh.
Cut to the chase... how much is it all going to cost us?
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