PROBLEM

To mark the launch of 'Feeling the Heat', Channel 4 News have commissioned a poll from ICM. It's thrown up some interesting data.

• 62% in favour of an aviation tax to combat climate change, but only 33% supporting a rise in petrol duty.
• 79% in favour of wind farms. 39% in favour of nuclear power.
• 45% of people say they'd be prepared to take fewer foreign holidays.
• 93% say they'd recycle all their rubbish.

They ask: “So what explains this gap between attitudes and behaviour, and are politicians right to be so cautious about advocating measures which might restrict our freedom to drive, fly or tip?”

Erm, well a complete collapse of political will or imagination is a good start to answer this question.

Full poll details here:


Friends of the Earth Scotland today (THURSDAY 23 June) called on people in Scotland and across the world to send a message to the G8 leaders that time is running out to tackle climate change, by backing the international alarm for climate justice. The 'climate alarm' will take place two weeks from today at 13:45pm (local time) on Thursday 7th July 2005 and is supported in countries in Europe, North America, Africa, South America and Asia.

During the G8 Summit in Gleneagles the international environment group is looking for individuals and groups in Scotland, and throughout the world, to sound warning bells to try to wake the G8 leaders up to the fact that time is running out to tackle climate injustice. People around the world can register their support by visiting Climate Alarm here.

The time of 13:45 is symbolic because the G8 nations represent just 13% of the world's people, but account for 45% of the world's emissions of climate-changing pollutants.

Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland said:

"Rising sea levels, extreme weather and shortages of food and water will affect billions of poor people before this century ends. But most of the emissions come from rich countries. The G8 nations represent 13% of the world's people but are responsible for 45& of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. That's climate injustice.

"The G8 leaders are unlikely to venture far from Gleneagles when they meet there in July. But we can make sure they hear our demands. People all over Scotland and throughout the world will be sounding an alarm for climate justice at 13:45 on Thursday 7th July. Join in. Let everyone know you care, and help make world leaders take responsibility for the problems they have caused. Sound a climate alarm."

I don't know what the church bell-ringing will do but as a spectacle is does have a certain post-Millenial apocalyptic appeal.

1 comment

You seen this too?

http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/nation/g8_alternatives_paper.pdf

left by Dave Mac on 22 June 2005