Views
Losing the climate fight is not an option - for The Inverness Courier
CLIMATE change is already having a damaging effect across the world, but in some quarters there has been a degree of complacency about the impact of the changing environment on our lives.
Last week, the UK government published the Stern Report which analysed the economic impact of climate change.
The report's author, Sir Nicholas Stern, is one of the country's most respected economists, so his conclusions carry enormous credibility.
The consequences of climate change are already starting to be evident here in the Highlands. While it is hard to be sure that global warming is responsible for any particular event, there is no doubt that it is leading to more extreme weather conditions.
Economically, too, we are seeing the impact of environmental change. The declining fortunes of the ski industry over the last 10 years mean that we in the Highlands should be more aware than anyone else in Britain of the economic costs of climate change.
So what is to be done? As I have argued in this column before, Britain must take a much more of a lead arguing for global change.
For all his talk on this issue, the fact remains that Tony Blair has failed to use our European and global influence to push for tougher international agreements.
But we have to take steps within Britain too - but for their own sake and to give a lead to other countries. But the measures we take have to take into account the specific needs and issues in the Highlands and Islands, too.
It seems to me that cutting fuel tax for remote areas, lower road tax for less polluting vehicles, while buyers of the most highly-polluting new vehicles pay more gets the balance about right.
But it is equally important that green taxes are not a way to raise more money from hard-pressed families by stealth.
Scotland is leading the rest of Britain in the move towards renewable energy sources. Highland-based firms like Wavegen and AWS are at the cutting edge of this new technology, and they need all the support that can be offered to make sure the fight against climate change also means new high quality jobs here.
Cutting home energy consumption through energy efficiency measures is a way to reduce bills, which is increasingly important as energy price rises drive more families into fuel poverty. Small changes like using energy saving light-bulbs of choosing a more efficient appliance the next time you need to buy one, can actually save both electricity and money. The Energy Saving Trust has produced an excellent leaflet explaining what you can do. If you want a copy, call my office or email me on [email protected].
Posted on: 07/11/2006
