Climate change demands action not words

GREEN MSP TELLS CONFERENCE THAT COUNCIL MUST DITCH CLIMATE-WRECKING PROJECTS

Addressing a conference on Monday (19 Feb), Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie will warn that although local authorities have signed a “declaration of intent” on climate change, several councils including Glasgow are supporting major climate-wrecking projects that should be scrapped if their rhetoric is to be taken seriously.

The ?Climate Change = Local Change? Conference, organised by NSCA Scotland, will bring together opinion formers to outline their views on what can be done at local level to tackle climate change.

Mr Harvie, Green spokesperson on Communities said:
“There is no doubt that greener policies at a local level will translate into a better quality of life and more efficient use of public money so local authorities are to be congratulated for making clear, on paper at least, their intention to join the battle against climate change.

“However, this must be backed by decisive action. Glasgow City Council needs to immediately pull the plug on climate-wrecking projects such as the M74 if they are to be taken seriously on this.

“The Executive must also be consistent. There is little point in ministers encouraging local authorities to be more climate-friendly but not making sure the right infrastructure and incentives are in place. Tougher action on reducing traffic, increasing micro-renewables, minimising waste and improving energy efficiency demand greater effort from national and local government.”

ENDS.

Notes:

Climate Change = Local Change Conference is organised by NSCA Scotland.
Monday 19 February 2007, 11am
Lecture Theatre, Glasgow Parish Halls, George Street, Glasgow.
For more info: www.nsca.org.uk

City Council fuels suspicion over Partick Tesco

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DENIAL FUELS SUSPICION OF TESCO SAYS GREEN MSP

Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie expressed anger at Glasgow City Council?s refusal to comply with a freedom of information request from anti-Tesco campaigners to release all correspondence between the council’s planning department and the store’s agents.

Mr Harvie, Green spokesperson on Communities said:
?This is the latest twist in an increasingly suspicious tale of Glasgow City Council?s involvement with this Tesco development. Tesco was allowed to tear down an historic building on this site without warning and without permission to build. And now the Council is refusing to disclose their correspondence with the supermarket.

?It is an outrage that a public body feels that it can act in a way which is unaccountable to the public. The views of the local community have been treated with contempt by Tesco, a position which is being backed up by the Council.?

ENDS.

For further information contact Green MSPs Press Office on 0131 348 6360
or Naomi McAuliffe on 0141 332 6405

Greenpeace ship to visit Faslane

GREEN MSP CONDEMNS TRIDENT AS GREENPEACE SHIP COMES TO GREENOCK

Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie, is to visit the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise at Greenock on Monday (19 Feb) as part of the vessel’s “Trident We Don’t Buy It” tour of Scotland, and will challenge Labour MPs to put Scottish public opinion first when deciding whether or not to support the renewal of Trident.

Mr Harvie, said:
“Those campaigning against nuclear weapons are more determined than ever to scrap Trident, use the cash to fund vital public services and fight climate change, and promote peace and justice here in Scotland and abroad. The majority of Scots oppose nuclear weapons – Labour MPs should remember that they represent the Scottish people and are not elected to simply nod through Tony Blair’s policies.”

This is the first visit to Greenock of the Arctic Sunrise, a former ice-breaker. Patrick Harvie and other activists will join the ship at Greenock and travel to Faslane where they will bear witness to the nuclear weapons held there.

The Arctic Sunrise is touring Scotland to spread the message that replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system is illegal under international law, undermines global security by provoking proliferation, and will cost UK taxpayers 76 billion pounds.

ENDS

Notes

See weblog.greenpeace.org

NEWS RELEASE – Executive blocks privacy safeguards

TORIES AND EXECUTIVE PARTIES BLOCK SAFEGUARDS ON BIG BROTHER DATA SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS

Greens’ proposals to guard against excessive and inappropriate use of “Big Brother” data systems in schools were today blocked by Labour, LibDem and Tory MSPs. Patrick Harvie MSP is pressing for the Schools (Health and Promotion) Bill to be changed to ensure that parental consent, and the consent of pupils aged 12 and above, is obtained before any biometric data is obtained – and will attempt again at Stage 3 before the final bill is passed by Parliament. (1)

Greens revealed last year how Scottish pupils – and even children in nurseries – are being fingerprinted. There are concerns that parental consent is not always obtained. (2) At the time, Jack McConnell refused to take action, and his ministers have recently stated that obtaining parental consent is not legally necessary, but simply “good practice”. (3)

The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Bill makes it more likely that these systems will become more widespread because it places a duty on all local authorities to introduce anonymous systems of free school meals. Greens are not arguing that they should be prohibited, only that there is a need for clear guidelines, and at the very least a legal requirement for parental consent.

Mr Harvie said, “The more such systems are in place, the greater the risk of excessive and inappropriate use. Greens want to see robust safeguards put in place so that parental consent is ALWAYS obtained, and so that pupils aged 12 and over also have a say in the matter.

“Scottish ministers claim that obtaining parental consent is simply “good practice”, effectively allowing schools to not bother seeking consent at all – this sets a dangerous precedent. They have also refused to issue guidance to schools, despite their Westminster counterparts agreeing to produce regulations, a move supported by LibDem and Tory MPs.

“We’ve heard proposals for airport style scanners and random drug testing in schools, fingerprinting is already in place in some schools – there’s a risk of creating environments which feel more like penal institutions than places of learning. We should consider alternatives to biometric systems whenever possible, and prevent creating an ID card-culture where pupils are taught that they must “prove” their entitlement to services.”

ENDS

Regional Transport Strategy

I have today published my response to SPT’s consultation on the Regional Transport Strategy for Glasgow.