South Tyneside

Council needs more than warm words

South Tyneside Friends of the Earth has welcomed a councillor's support for moves to force councils take firm action against climate change.

Councillor David Potts has raised a motion in council challenging councillors to pledge their support for Early Day Motion 678, which gives backing to a bill which would oblige councils across the country to consider carbon emissions in all their dealings.

But more must be done - and locally too, says Friends of the Earth.

Spokesperson Bryan Atkinson said:

"It's encouraging that Councillor Potts has signalled a change in his position and is taking global heating seriously. He's right that councils should take the lead and consider carbon emissions in every strand of policy, but recent events suggest that hasn't been the case.

"South Tyneside Council, along with Sunderland and Gateshead councils, is considering incineration as a possible method of dealing with our rubbish.

"In terms of carbon emissions burning waste is the worst possible option. Ironically, some of those who have supported Coun Potts' motion have also publicly supported incineration. Hopefully their support for the motion indicates a change in attitude.

"Friends of the Earth is campaigning for a strong Climate Change Bill and we encourage all councillors to take part in FOE's online Climate Change march at www.thebigask.com and join John Gummer, Bill Oddie, Jude Law and over 170,000 other concerned people in calling on government for a strong climate change law."

"We would like to see South Tyneside councillors take the climate change challenge and pledge their support for reducing emissions - including the rejection of incineration - otherwise their warm words will be seen as just hot air and spin."

Notes

1. In the Newcastle Journal's 'Friday Forum' article on October 21 2005, Councillor Potts described emissions reduction as "a complete and utter waste of time".

2. The Big Ask climate change march: http://www.thebigask.com/

The Big Ask calls for a strong climate change bill to:

- reduce emissions every year so the UK reaches a target of at least 80 per cent cuts by 2050
- include annual targets so politicians can't blame preceding Governments for missed targets
- include emissions from international aviation and shipping

3. South Tyneside FOE online

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