Declaration on Climate Change

Yesterday (16th January), I was greatly privileged to be the first Councillor Leader in Scotland to sign the Local Government climate Change declaration at a ceremony in Towerbank primary school in Portobello (Click here for story) . For me this issue is the most important we face today. All the evidence (not least the weather at Hogmanay) tells us that we, as humans, are damaging our most precious resource, our environment. The debate is over. It is change or die time and it is right that the Council should lead by example. Although I said a few words, two 11 year olds spoke far more eloquently that I could about the need to everyone to take part in the kind of activity that will make a difference. They spoke of how their school had become very energy and waste conscious recycling not just paper but clothes and other items also. They spoke of how they had started to do this at home. They said every choice they made could make a difference. It was a powerful reminder that climate change is in all our hands. In the several interviews I did after the signing I was asked if I thought raising taxes for example, on waste, would be helpful. My view is that berating and punishing people will not work here. This is a hearts and minds debate. Our citizens track record on the recent increase in recycling suggests that with good education and easy processes, people will choose to change. May be too, experiences like Hogmanay will help us all realise that the time has come for action. As one of the wee girls put it, every little does really help.