11th March 2008

Letter to press in light of Government announcement signaling support for new coal-fired power stations 

The turbulent weather conditions hitting Gloucestershire this week are a worrying sign of things to come unless our and other Governments takes a tougher line on climate change. We are at a crucial stage in the battle to control rising temperatures in the Earth’s atmosphere, but this Government looks likely to give the go ahead for new coal-fired power facilities and a massive expansion of aviation.

Gordon Brown should be showing real commitment to a zero carbon future by cutting energy demands, backing distributed generation and taking full advantage of our abundant renewable energy sources. Coal fired power must be consigned to the past where it belongs and aviation expansions stopped dead. This Government must wake up before it is too late.

Cllr Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Thrupp, Stroud
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Stroud