Articles wanted and/or discussion topics

One Response to Articles wanted and/or discussion topics

1. Mark Hodgson says:

   31 August 2015 at 07:54

   Given that this site is based in Scotland, this article from the BBC website, which I spotted today, might be worthy of discussion here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-34102208
   “Party leaders in Scotland make climate change pledge
   The leaders of Scotland’s five main political parties have promised to set out plans on how they will tackle climate change and reduce emissions.
   An agreement was brokered by WWF Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election next year.
   The organisation said the leaders had committed to providing “comprehensive plans” on climate change in their manifestos.
   International talks on the issue will take place in Paris in December.
   The SNP, Scottish Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Green party have all signed the pledge.
   It commits them to outlining plans in their manifestos to:
   Improve energy efficiency through a “national infrastructure project”
   Create a low carbon transport system
   Reduce emissions from Scotland’s food sector
   Continue the work of Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund
   They have also promised to ensure their manifestos are “consistent” with the ambitions of Scotland’s Climate Change Act.
   The act requires Scotland to reduce its annual climate change emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
   Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said it was “great to know” that Scotland was a country where politicians had “long moved on” from debating whether climate change was actually happening.
   “In the run up to next May’s election voters will be keen to learn how each of the political parties will use their plans for tackling climate change to create jobs, improve health and reduce inequality,” he said.
   Party leaders’ reaction
   First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, SNP: “The SNP has put climate change considerations at the heart of decision making in government. Building on our record, the SNP in government will continue to support individuals, communities and industry as, together, we further reduce carbon emissions and make Scotland the best place possible to live and work.”
   Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Labour Party: “I believe in environmental justice, that the struggles for sustainability and socialism cannot be separated. That’s why I have appointed an environmental justice spokesperson to my front bench team that has a wide policy brief, bringing together our climate change and energy policies.”
   Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservatives: “Climate change is a threat to our environment, our security and our economic prosperity. As we approach next year’s Holyrood elections, we will set out our own plans for how we tackle climate change in a manner that boosts business and creates jobs.”
   Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrats: “Our 2016 manifesto will have social justice at its heart. Liberal Democrats want a country where people stand for and with their neighbours. At the core of our vision will be a radical agenda to tackle climate change in way which is credible, affordable and sustainable.”
   Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens: “Scotland is in an amazing position to show real leadership on climate change. We can cut emissions, transform our economy and create high quality, lasting jobs by investing in energy efficient housing, renewable power and more localised economies.”
   My observations are that whatever the rights and wrongs of the debate about climate change, it’s sad to see so many politicians being steamrollered by a vocal pressure group; and it’s sad to see such a denial of democracy, given the lack of choice that this presents to the votes.
   The other thought I have is in relation to this quote from the article:
   “”In the run up to next May’s election voters will be keen to learn how each of the political parties will use their plans for tackling climate change to create jobs, improve health and reduce inequality,” he said”
   It will indeed be interesting, given that the higher energy costs that result from these policies are destructive of jobs, and the higher taxes and energy bills they produce, combined with the subsidies they rely on, effectively increase inequality by transferring money from the poor to the rich.

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