INDYREF: HARVIE HIGHLIGHTS RISK TO ECONOMY FROM CARBON BUBBLE
Green MSP Patrick Harvie will use tonight's independence referendum debate hosted by climate change campaigners from across Scotland to highlight the risk of the "carbon bubble" that could precipitate another economic crash.
Tonight's 2014 Matters: Energy, Environment & Climate Change debate comes as MPs warn that stock markets are overvaluing companies that produce fossil fuels, posing a serious threat to the economy, and as oil giant Shell warns that its profits are likely to be affected by efforts to curb climate change.
Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:
"Back in 2009 Scotland achieved a good degree of political consensus on climate change but we’re now on course to miss our emissions reduction targets three years running. All parties try to talk the talk on climate change but we've yet to see meaningful action.
"Independence is an opportunity to focus. An oil-dependent Scotland would be forced to face reality with more urgency than the UK. Both governments are committed to exploiting fossil fuels but the reality is the world has more than it can afford to burn.
"Instead of an economy resting on the perceived value of unburnable resources we have a chance to make the most of our renewable assets, and build a stable economy for the long-term. I don't see how the limited powers of devolution allow us to address this fundamental issue."
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'Carbon bubble' poses serious threat to UK economy, MPs warn (The Guardian)