Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands MSP and the Scottish Conservative Environment Spokesman, this lunchtime addressed a public rally on climate change which was held outside the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition and addressed by a representative of each party in the Scottish Parliament, the rally was organised to maintain pressure on the Scottish Government to take further actions to meet climate change targets.Speaking to the crowd Jamie McGrigor said:“ As a long time farmer myself I see the changes in the climate at first hand and the impact of increased rainfall and flooding. This year’s lambing has been particularly difficult for hill farmers with cold and bad weather restricting the grass so vital to mothering sheep. All of us have a responsibility to the next generations to take the action now that will prevent even more dire climate change impacts becoming a reality in future.“ The Scottish Government boasts about our world-leading climate change targets but we need to ensure we are actually meeting our targets for example on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, if we are to set an example to other countries. We must also support countries in the developing world- those who have done the least to cause climate change- and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. International climate justice is important and we do support that.“ The Scottish Conservatives want to see more practical, user-friendly options that will allow individuals and businesses to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint and help meet our emissions targets. Efforts must be redoubled to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and boost home insulation, including those homes in the most remote and rural communities. We would support extra measures to preserve existing and restore damaged peatlands which are such an important carbon sink. And internationally at Paris in December we will support a new comprehensive global climate change agreement. It is predicted that for the first time ever all countries will commit to emission reduction commitments- that is what we want.”
- For any further information on this news release, please call Jamie’s office on 0131 348 5616