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GOVERNMENT SURVEY SHOWS MOUNTING GREEN CONCERNS
09 Oct 2002
Friends of the Earth has called on the Government to do more to protect
the environment after a new survey - published today by the Department
of the Environment (DEFRA) - revealed that public concern about the
environment is increasing. According to the survey 25% of respondents
placed the environment alongside health, education and crime as one
of the most important issues facing the Government.
Friends of the Earth Director Charles Secrett said:
“The Government must do much more to protect the environment.
Despite all the rhetoric about putting the environment at the heart
of its policies, the reality is that they only tinker with sustainability
at the margins. The next twelve months are a crucial period, with decisions
to be made on airports,GM crops and the future of the nuclear industry.
Will they listen to public concern, or over-ride it in the interests
of their big-business friends?”
Areas the Government must seriously address include:
- Nuclear power There are growing concerns that the Government
is considering the building of a new generation of nuclear power stations.
The current energy review is being led by pro-nuclear energy minister,
Brian Wilson.
- Airports The Government is consulting over proposals to
increase airport capacity in the UK. The aviation industry is the
fastest growing source of climate change emissions. Building new airports
or expanding existing ones will bring more noise and air pollution
and will destroy homes and wildlife habitats. Despite this the Government
says that it is “committed to ensuring that the long-term
development of aviation is sustainable”.
- Recycling The UK only recycles around 11 per cent of its
domestic waste – one of the worst records in Europe. The UK Government
should make it mandatory for every household to be supplied with a
doorstep recycling collection scheme.
- GM crops Within a year the Government is expected to decide
whether or not to allow GM crops to be commercially grown. If it does
it will inevitably lead to the GM contamination of our food, and remove
people’s right to choose.
- Traffic levels Road traffic is still growing in the UK.
On 6th June 1997 John Prescott said “I will have failed if
in five years time there are not many more people using public transport
and far fewer journeys by car. It’s a tall order, but I urge
you to hold me to it".
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
