Newsdesk

CALLING ALL COUNCILS: 25 STEPS TO SUSTAINABILITY

26th September 2003

East Kent Green Party has compiled a briefing offering 25 steps to sustainable economies and lifestyles in East Kent (1). This will be made available to all local councillors in East Kent over the period from now until Xmas. The document is the result of concerns about the intensification of global warming. The UK had rising greenhouse gas emissions in two out of three most recent years. This is the result of utter failure to reduce emissions from the transport sector particularly. Steve Dawe comments:

"Progress for our society means taking control over the sources of climate change. The increasing emissions from the transport sector, combined with substantial population increases in East Kent, mean that local councils need to reduce private transport journeys by every reasonable policy method available to them. Traffic reductions of at least 10% by 2010 would be attainable if a variety of measures were taken. These would need to include: priority for walking and cycling networks over all other transport modes; no new trunk roads; more resources for rural bus services, aiming to increase spending to the European average in rural areas about twice what is spent at present (2). Public support for the 'Walking Bus' idea, pioneered by the Pedestrians' Association, is heartening. Similarly, news that local councils will be cooperating on Energy Efficiency is a sign of possible progress. But without urgency, little progress will be made on decreasing air pollution which is essential for improving public health and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. East Kent Green Party can provide speakers to local groups wanting to their part." ENDS c270 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe, 01233 645167 or 07904 382203. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH

Notes: 1. 25 steps to Sustainability East Kent Green Party, September 2003, was compiled by Keith Bothwell, Hazel Dawe, Steve Dawe and Geoff Meaden, lecturers in Planning, Law, Environmental Policy and Geography respectively. Copies available from stevedawe - at - gn.apc.org or download here (PDF format)

2. Lynn Sloman Rural Transport Futures (Transport 2000, 2003).

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20th June 2005