A letter to parliament

CLIMATE CHANGE BILL

I am writing to urge you to take rigorous, and if necessary unpopular, action to respond to the challenge of Climate Change.

As a nation we must reduce our consumption of, and dependence upon, carbon. I do not believe that Carbon Capture is a tenable option because it simply signals business as usual.

I believe that the challenges of Climate Change move far beyond partisan politics and I would urge consensual action.

In practical terms I suggest

[a] 2010 reducing national speed limits … built up areas to 20mph

… A roads to 50 mph

… Dual carriage / Motor Ways 60mph

2011 reducing Dual carriage / Motor Ways to 50mph

[b] Identification of wave power as the Scottish bench mark

[c] Encouragement of locally produced food and a return to seasonality in food

[d] Introduction of a 2p in the pound Climate Change levy with all funds being reinvested in public transport infrastructure

[e] Serious engagement with secondary school pupils to foster a climate aware ethos among young people – and to give these youngsters a real say in the future of their Scotland

[f] An assessment of the implications of sea level rise for homes, businesses and transport infrastructure.

[g] Government sponsored advertisements drawing attention to the issues of Climate Change

[h] An assessment of fishing, farming and general environmental management to promote sustainability

It seems to me that the first two decades of the 21^st Century will be the defining years as far as the nature of the final two decades of the 21^st Century and beyond are concerned.

More than any other group, Politicians will be judged by their efforts to tackle Climate Change.

Will you lead us to a point where the following will be our epitaph

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,

For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today