Newsdesk

LOCAL COUNCILS NOT DOING ENOUGH ON GLOBAL WARMING

14th August 2003

Record breaking temperatures and exceptional smog both occurred in Kent in the last week (1). Rail speed restrictions due to hot rails and large areas of brown grass demonstrate the impact of global warming. Steve Dawe comments:

"Both the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (2) and the Met Office (3) confirm current extreme temperatures due to human activity. 1998, 2001 and 2002 were the warmest years on record. But our local councils need to do a lot more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"The main problem area is transport. All councils in East Kent without exception are still giving planning permission for major new developments which generate traffic. Not one has reduced town centre car parking sufficiently, to encourage transport use. While signs of hope can be found, like Dover's pursuit of congestion charging, signs of old thinking can also be found, like Shepway District Councils opposition to a Wind Farm on Romney Marsh.

"The Green Party advocates people should write to their local councillors to press for action on global warming. Around the world, thousands of people have died in this summer's oppressive heat and in forest fires. Global warming doesn't just raise the temperatures we experience, it also kills, so complacency amongst our councillors must be challenged." ENDS c221 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe on 01233 645167/07904 382203. Steve Dawe teaches Environmental Policy for the Open University. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH.

Notes: 1. Gravesend was the site of a temperature of 100.8 Fahrenheit and Rochester a site at which smog broke Government limits Monday 4th to Sunday 10th August.

2. DEFRA 11TH February 2003 World is hotting up according to DEFRA report www.defra.gov.uk/news/2003/030211b.htm 3. The Met Office 28th July 2003 Europe and North America Warming due to human activity www.met-office.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2003/pr20030728.html

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