"Climate change is the single greatest threat to our way of life", says Helen Thompson (Swindon Liberal Democrats)

Swindon Liberal Democrats <info@swindonlibdems.org>

"Climate change is the single greatest threat to our way of life", says Helen Thompson

April 20, 2006 4:00 PM

Helen Thompson in Central Ward

"Climate change is the single greatest threat to our way of life", says Helen Thompson as she outlines the mini-greener manifesto for the 2006 Swindon local elections. Helen is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Central ward.

"Councils, working with communities, need to be at the forefront of cutting carbon emissions, and cutting waste, if we are to protect the planet.

"Liberal Democrats are leading the charge, with programmes to make whole housing estates, schools or council offices carbon neutral. We are pushing forward with new designs for housing that reduce water consumption, cut energy use, and reduce waste.

"But we all want to see our environment protected on the local scale too. Our parks and green spaces, trees, gardens and public squares: these shared spaces are vital to our everyday lives.

"Liberal Democrat councillors can be trusted to fight for and improve our environment - both locally and globally.

Around the country we are:

boosting recycling rates - even in the inner cities where it's toughest
encouraging energy efficiency in buildings
adding cycle lanes and footpaths, with marked Safe Routes to School for children
promoting and investing in public transport
improving parks, open spaces and public footpaths, and planting trees
Creating 'low emission zones' and introducing environmentally friendly buses

Lib Dem run Newcastle is to make a 12-block housing estate a beacon project for energy efficiency. The south-facing blocks will be fitted with solar panels and micro generation turbines, in order that 90% of the energy and heat needs of the residents will be met by renewable sources - for free.

Bristol City council began a cleaner vehicles initiative, thanks to its Lib Dem leadership, with funding for conversion to LPG given to residents and businesses in June 2005.

In Islington, green spaces are at a premium so there has been more planting, more trees and bird boxes and the development of a successful Ecology Centre.

Under the Lib Dems, Eastbourne won a 'Green Apple' award for their innovative recycling scheme for office computers.

In Watford Lib Dems have introduced grants of up to £500 for activities like river cleans, community cleanups, extra planting and flower shows - anything which improves the overall look of an area or which brings the community together.

In Waverley, Liberal Democrats extended kerbside collection of recyclable materials, adding 33,500 homes to the scheme within just six months of taking control - including 2,500 rural homes other parties had said couldn't be reached.