ABOVE the clamour of the packed main hall at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, where Dippy the Dinosaur – a plaster cast replica of the now extinct Diplodocus – is visiting the city as part of its UK tour, the soft notes of the violin can just be heard. It’s the agreed signal for almost 300 people, including many families with young children, to silently lie down on the floor as part of Saturday’s die-in, organised by Extinction Rebellion Glasgow’s Wee Rebellion family group to highlight the need for action on climate change. Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “It is really important for Scotland’s largest city to be helping lead the way on action on climate change. Glasgow played a huge part in driving the Industrial Revolution from ship building to exporting steam engines, so it is only right the city should aspire to be at the front of action to reduce the climate problem it helped unleash. WHAT CAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES DO? There is lots of action local authorities across Scotland can take to address climate change, according to Friends of the Earth. Here are some of its suggestions: Identify a councillor as a Climate Champion who makes publicly available annual reports on progress; Take immediate action to reduce emissions, don’t use strategy development as an excuse for delay; Stop building new road capacity. There is lots of evidence that new road capacity just encourages more traffic and drives up greenhouse gases; Introduce workplace parking charges and/or ultra-low emission zones and/or a congestion charging; Charge high-carbon emission vehicles more for parking permits; Support car-sharing through extensive parking for car clubs.; Invest in active travel infrastructure and quality public transport – set ambitious targets to increase journeys by foot, bike and public transport.; Aim for zero waste to landfill or incineration – in waste disposal contracts ensure biodegradable waste, such as food waste and paper/cardboard, is recycled and composted. ; Require renewable energy such as solar thermal, PV or heat pumps in local authority and private sector developments. ; Switch street lighting to well-designed and well directed LED lights – Dumfries and Galloway is currently leading the way in Scotland. ; Divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy projects. Scottish councils have still to act. ; Buy green energy – local authorities are major energy purchases so councils should commit to only buying green electricity. Those already doing it claim it does not cost much more than its existing source.; Require deliveries to be by electric vehicles – use procurement powers to require council deliveries to use EVs, including where appropriate electric cargo bikes.; Plant trees on council land to offset carbon.
The National 28th April 2019 read more »
Herald 27th April 2019 read more »
