Climate Change
April 15th  2005

A very large number of scientists -- not paid for by the oil industry… - are saying climate change is on the cards.

This may well take the form of warming in many areas and cooling in others. It may well involve the melting of significant ice shelves at the poles, raising water levels, so flooding may be widespread in low-lying areas.


My thanks to Meliss for the chance to answer the following--


Will you support urgent government action on climate change if elected?

YES. I will be a THORN IN THEIR SIDE till they do it!  Not this pathetic toying with this major issue which was Britain's contribution to the Kyoto protocols--which Blair then reneged on--so much for some promises...


Will you pledge to:

Ensure rapid expansion of renewable energy. In particular, that government should fund power connections for offshore energy to facilitate the development of wind, wave and tidal power capacity.

YES, significant investment in all renewable energy sources is Green Party policy.

Tax gas-guzzlers off our roads. Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) should be significantly higher for gas-guzzlers like SUVs, which emit as much as four times more CO2 than fuel-efficient vehicles. Incentives should also be offered to those choosing to drive more fuel-efficient vehicles.

YES. Car fuel tax to increase to incorporate Road Fund Licence (tax disc) (as in Eire). Incentives for low emission fuels, eg LPG. Taxes to discourage long-distance transportation of goods. A variety of taxation and incentives will be used to promote this, and other policies, to ensure the environment -- and each one of us -- wins.

End fuel poverty and encourage energy efficiency. Much higher energy-efficiency standards should be set for social housing, and improved financial incentives and grants provided to encourage energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings. New buildings should be built to zero emission standards. These buildings should have solar panels as standard.

YES. Tax free (or cost-free) initial fuel allowance, especially for the poorest. Greens want to end standing charges by fuel suppliers so costs reflect the effects on the environment.


End all government subsidies for dirty fuel industries. All subsidies for oil, coal and nuclear power should be stopped, and this money invested instead in renewable energy schemes.

YES. GP policy to introduce a Resource Tax which will make fossil fuels relatively more expensive. The income will be used for investment in conservation and renewables.


Increase the cost of petrol and diesel. The government should make it clear that fuel duty will be raised every year to combat climate change. This will act as an incentive for uptake and development of non-fossil fuels. Revenue raised should be used to improve public transport.

YES. GP believes it is government responsibility to ensure public transport is just that--used, friendly, attractive, an economical option, truly favoured by people. Renationalisation of the railways is part of this. Buses, etc, to have low emission engines, and, in the long run to run on sustainable fuels.

Create a tax on aviation fuel and an increase in air passenger duty to reflect the true environmental impact of flying. These measures would help reduce air travel and make new runways unnecessary.

Green Party policy to tax aviation fuel (one plane can pollute as much as 1000 cars) and oppose any new airports or expansion of existing ones, with these benefits in mind.

We are reaching the point of no return on climate change and the next government will need to take decisive action to prevent the worst affects of climate change. You can show real leadership by taking the pledge today to support immediate government action on climate change.

By joining the Green Party I have pledged to this and much more.

Green Party policy is at www.greenparty.org.uk . You may find it very interesting.

Regards,
Martin

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Hull needs a Green MP.

Let's see what GREEN can DO!

Martin.

Contact us on 471467 for a poster or information.