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20 Mar 2001
Liberal
Democrat leader Charles Kennedy today promised that the environment would be
at the heart of the party's Election campaign. Friends of the Earth has welcomed
his speech, delivered to a Green Alliance meeting today, at the Royal Society
of Arts.
Strong points from Mr Kennedy's speech included:
An emphasis on “Green Justice". The poor are always worst affected by environmental problems, whether in developing countries (e.g. flooding in Mozambique) or at home in the UK (children from social classes D and E are five times more likely than children in social class A to be road accident victims, the worst polluting factories are heavily concentrated in low income areas, and up to eight million households live in “fuel poverty” in draughty, cold homes.
Some strong policy pledges, including progressive cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of 1.5% every year until 2050, a new Carbon Tax on greenhouse gas emissions, a target of 60% of energy to come from renewable sources by the end of the century and possible “sanctions” against the US for obstructive behaviour in world climate talks.
Commenting, Friends of the Earth Executive Director Charles Secrett said:
“This was a powerful green speech from Charles
Kennedy, which I warmly welcome.The challenge facing the Liberal Democrats now
is to force these issues to the top of the public agenda during the General
Election campaign. They can only do this if they mobilise the whole Party in
the way they did over education at the last Election.
Mr Kennedy and Mr Blair have both made important speeches
in the run-up to the General Election. When will Mr Hague follow suit? Surely
he cannot want to begin the campaign as the only Party leader who has not recognised
the political, social and economic importance of green issues. That would be
to turn his back on some of the most vital issues facing the country. Many voters
would not forgive such an abdication of responsibility.”
NOTES
FOE has compiled a database of major environmental threats by constituency (including planned roads,incinerators and GM trial sites. Contact FOE Press Office for details. FOE is calling on all three parties to support key “Green Cross” policies including a national doorstep recycling scheme, practical policies to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by 20% by 2010, strict liability for biotech companies for any damage caused by GM crops and a major programme of investment in public transport.
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
