CLIMATE MARCH: HARVIE TO TELL CROWDS SCOTLAND CAN LEAD THE WAY
Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, will tell crowds gathering in Edinburgh today at Scotland's Climate March that Scotland can lead the way in the transition away from fossil fuels and towards a jobs-rich low-carbon economy.
This weekend people in cities across the world will march for action ahead of the UN climate change negotiations in Paris next week.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Today's march in Scotland's capital city comes at a crucial moment. The negotiations in Paris must strike a bold deal to protect our society.
"The trend of rising global temperatures is clear and the impact will be felt by the poorest people in the world. The pollution that has caused this is the responsibility of developed nations such as ours.
"The scientific consensus is clear - we need to leave fossil fuels in the ground if we're to limit the damage that climate change will cause. And the economic case is growing - when even the governor of the Bank of England warns that investing in fossil fuels risks devastating the economy, it's simply not credible for governments to drag their feet.
"Scotland has the resources and the talent to lead the way. We can have many more jobs than currently exist in oil and gas if we prioritise decommissioning, renewables and energy efficient housing. We also need the Scottish Government to go much, much further and faster on investment in buses, railways, walking and cycling to cut emissions from transport, instead of a tax break for aviation.”