This year’s election has been heavy on the
pot shots and the doublespeak, and very light on any real substance, especially
when it comes to addressing one of the biggest challenges we’ve
ever faced – climate change.
So we thought we’d try and distil what the
mainstream parties have been saying, or more importantly, not saying
on this crucial issue. And unlike their campaigns, we wanted to inject
a little light-heartedness - an oasis of humour in the political quagmire.
So you can read each party manifesto, each policy commitment, each political
press release. Or take a look at our guide to the Scottish Elections 2007
– Holyrood’s Inconvenient Truth!
Why?
To reinforce the link between transport and climate change – a connection
which seems to have escaped the attention of most politicians. Indeed
contrary to most political thought, reducing carbon emissions cannot be
achieved by programmes of major road-building and the expansion of air
travel.
Transport is one of the fastest growing contributors to climate change
and the inability or unwillingness by politicians to take action means
that we cannot hope to achieve the reduction in carbon emissions that
are required. We need politicians to acknowledge the real costs of transport,
incorporating the environmental, social and economic price into any appraisal
of future transport investment.
TRANSform Scotland's Climate Change
Challenge
Any sustainable system of transport which reduces climate change emissions,
reduces air pollution, reduces congestion whilst improving quality of
life, is achievable only by changing travel behaviour and ceasing subsidies
to road use and air travel:
1. Stop building new motorways
2. No more subsidies to airlines - see our new briefing
Air travel
Holyrood’s Inconvenient Truth was produced with
the assistance of Pulkka, a new media company set up by two film and television
professionals, Scott Ward and Minttu Mantynen; and local illustrator and
author Jan-Andrew Henderson.
