TDs to get the Gore details on climate change

AN environmental group is sending a copy of Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary to every TD in the country - for free.
Friends of the Earth is hoping that 'An Inconvenient Truth' will inspire the 166 TDs to take action to reduce carbon emissions.
"We need every Government for the next 20 years to focus on climate change in the same way that every party has focused on unemployment and emigration in the past," its director, Oisin Coghlan, said.
Although the issue of climate change was expected to form a key part of the general election campaign, it was overtaken by the debate about the economy, the health service and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's personal finances.
Mr Coghlan said he hoped the documentary would change TDs' attitudes to global warming.
"It is difficult to come out of it and say 'That was good but I don't have to do anything'. It is a movie which wants you to follow up in your life and your work."
In the documentary, Mr Gore describes his work as an environmentalist and his efforts to convince fellow politicians in the US of the dangers of global warming.
"We have everything, save perhaps political will. But I believe political will is a renewable resource."
Mr Coghlan said the documentary was not a 'silver bullet' solution to the problem but added that it was a worthwhile gesture.
Friends of the Earth is sending the politicians a copy of its own draft Climate Protection Bill which would introduce binding targets for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
It said this would follow the example of California, where legislation requires carbon emissions to be cut by 80pc by 2050, and Britain, which is planning to introduce similar laws. The group is financing the cost of sending out the DVD by getting donations of €10 from 166 of its members.
It has negotiated a "substantial discount" on the price from the film's distributors Sony BMG.
Michael Brennan
© Irish Independent

Would this eco-towns policy proposal work in Ireland?

In the UK, new 'eco-towns' built on brownfield land could lead the way in cutting carbon emissions and building affordable homes, UK Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said.

The UK government announced it would consider plans for eco-towns put forward by local authorities as part of the new Growth Points scheme.

Forty-five councils have already come forward with plans for new homes and jobs to respond to serious housing pressures in their areas and some authorities are also looking at plans for 'new settlements'. UK Ministers will now consider these plans within the Growth Points scheme, insisting on proposals for zero or low-carbon developments which make the best use of brownfield land.

New eco-towns, of between 5,000-10,000 homes, would have strong public transport links to nearby towns and cities. They would make the best use of brownfield land and could be built on public sector surplus land - such as former Ministry of Defence (MoD) or NHS sites.

Ministers believe these new developments could help drive the environmental technologies needed to ensure thatall new homes are zero-carbon within a decade - as set out in last December's zero-carbon timetable.

Yvette Cooper has announced £2 million funding to develop plans for the eco-towns. She also announced the appointment of Professor David Lock, Chair of the Town and Country Planning Association, to report to Government on further developing the criteria for eco-towns.

She said - "We desperately need more homes - and we desperately need to cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change. New eco-towns could build low-carbon design into the fabric of the community - not just into individual houses.

"We have already made substantial progress, with the new timetable for zero-carbon development and proposals for places like Northstowe. But we need to go further - now is the time for us to look at new eco-towns, put forward by local councils.

"They could use public transport and new green designs to deliver low-cost and low-carbon homes for the future - making good use of brownfield land."

Climate change and planning - a survey from Tara Watch

Climate Change Challenge Survey Results Reveal Political Party Positions on Transport Policy and Spending’

Posted in News, Transport, Tolls, Climate Change at 4:24 pm by Vincent

‘Climate Change Challenge Survey Results Reveal Political Party Positions on Transport Policy and Spending’

Results of a survey of political party’s views on climate change were received on Friday 24^th November, revealing divergent views of transport related issues. A 10 question, Climate Change Challenge, survey was sent on Monday 20th November to all political parties, Oireachtas members, as well as members of Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority. The results were to be published and discussed at a conference on Saturday, 25th November. However, that conference had to be postponed until the new year, due to a scheduling conflict at the venue.

The responses revealed unanimous agreement that climate change is a very important issue but highlighted crucial differences between the political parties in their approach to meeting the climate change challenge, particularly in the area of transport spending.

Questions included issues of green taxes on motorists, new legislation, toll roads and whether there should be a new cost-benefit analysis of Transport 21 and the upcoming 2007 National Development Plan in light of the new data on the effects of climate change on the economy.

Scheduled to speak at the conference were Dr. Liam Leonard of the Department of Sociology and Politics, NUI Galway and Pat Finnegan of GRIAN, the Greenhouse Ireland Action Network. Then there was to be a panel discussion, featuring Cllr. Eugene Regan (FG), Sean Crowe, TD (SF), Cllr. Dermot Lacey (Lab), Ciaran Cuffe, TD (GP), and Senate candidate Martin Hogan (Ind).

Answers to the survey were received from Fiona O’Malley, TD (PD); Eamon Gilmore, TD, (Lab); Cllr. Eugene Regan (FG); Ciaran Cuffe, TD; and Dr. Liam Leonard. They are provided after each question below. Sinn Fein would not doubt have given their views at the conference and Fianna Fail did not send a response, nor send a delegate to the conference. It is hoped that they will respond to a more comprehensive survey that will now be sent to all parties in advance of the rescheduled conference.

The Climate Change Challenge was initiated by NGOs campaigning on transport and environment issues in County Meath, and that county will be used as a case study for analysing government policy and spending on transport. However, it is hoped that it will create a forum for all political parties, NGOs and the public to join in ongoing debate on how to tackle the climate change challenge in Ireland.

Joanne Corbett, one of the organisers, said:

“Climate change is the most important issue currently facing Ireland, and unlike most other countries, we have not yet begun our national conversation on how to address it.

“This is about real and immediate choices being made now, particularly in Government spending on transport, in response to a clear and present threat to our way of life, both in Ireland and around the world.

“We are very pleased that so many of the political parties, as well as groups like GRIAN and Friends of the Earth, agreed to respond to our survey and participate in the conference. And we do hope that we will have all of the parties participating soon.