Go Greener in East Renfrewshire

First for Go Greener in Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament played host to a special Climate Change session which included local environmental group Go Greener.

The event, only happening on special occasions, threw out its 129 MSPs and their replacements included members of the business community, environmental organizations, climate change experts, Trade Unions and other interested organizations. Taking place in the main Chamber the debate was hosted by Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP and led by former BBC Scotland reporter Louise Batchelor. After a number of international and other presentations regarding the realities of climate change, the debates allowed the specially invited audience to comment on the frightening prospect facing the planet.

The event was addressed by representatives from Bangladesh, the Maldives, and professors from USA and Canada who spelt out in graphic terms the disaster facing the planet unless urgent radical action is taken to halt global warming. The Go Greener delegation included Newton Mearns resident Glyn Jones, Uplawmoor resident and businessman George Kolasinski and Chair and Council Environment Convenor Eddie Phillips who spoke in the debates. One major issue raised by Councillor Phillips was the issue of core funding by the Scottish Government of community leading environmental organizations such as Go Greener “we know what we need to do. Give us the give us the resources to do it now!”

The event was brought to a close when Committee Convenor, Green MSP Patrick Harvie remarked “This is not an issue for future generations – it is an issue for our generation.” Councillor Phillips told me “elated, great, such passion. However we must push this government to act now on Climate Change. If they gave us a fraction of what they could afford to give for home insulation we could have Go Greener organizations throughout Scotland fighting global warming and protecting our future – but will they?”