The people of the lesser developed countries have suffered so much. But there are those who try to change this sad situation. I give thanks to WDM and its work.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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13 March 2007
WORLD DEVELOPMENT MOVEMENT SCOTLAND COMMENT
NEWS RELEASE
Development campaigners welcome Scottish climate change bill proposal - but call on all political parties to introduce the necessary measures to end climate injustice
Commenting on today's announcement by the Scottish Labour Party that they will introduce a Scottish climate change bill if re-elected on May 3, Kirstie Shirra, Head of Campaigns for WDM Scotland said:
"We very much welcome the proposal to introduce a climate change bill in Scotland as well as one at Westminster. Rich countries, like Scotland, are responsible for climate change by emitting excessive CO2 emissions yet it is the world's poorest countries, who hold none of the blame, that are suffering the worst effects. It is essential that we in Scotland take responsibility for our actions and start to make the necessary cuts in CO2 that will lead to an end to this climate injustice.
"In Africa alone over 85 million people could die as a direct result of climate change by 2100 and one-sixth of the world's population water supplies are at risk from glaciers vanishing. That is why any new Scottish climate change bill is as strong and effective as possible.
"In the run up to the elections WDM Scotland is calling on all candidates to support a Scottish climate change bill with year-on-year legally binding targets for reducing emissions and an end to public subsidies for aviation, the fastest growing contributor to climate change emissions."
ENDS
For more information or comment, contact: Kirstie Shirra, Head of Campaigns, on 07983 364 529
Notes to editors:
1. Today (13 March) the Scottish Labour Party announced they would introduce complementary climate change legislation in Scotland if re-elected at the Holyrood elections.
2. WDM Scotland is currently running an on-line campaign, enabling the public to ask their candidates about climate change: http://www.wdmscotland.org.uk/campaigns/2007elections.htm
3. With excessive carbon emissions driving climate change, it is rich countries, like our own, that are responsible yet it is people in the poorest countries that will suffer most. Rich countries are responsible for 80% of the manmade increase in CO2. If we stand by and do nothing the impact on poor countries will be devastating:
- diseases will increase - 185 million people in Africa alone could die as a direct result by 2100
- water supplies for one-sixth of the world's population are at risk from glaciers vanishing
- droughts will worsen threatening the food supplies of hundreds of millions of people
- rising sea levels, erosions and agricultural damage could create between 150 and 200 million environmental refugees by 2050
For more information visit http://www.wdmscotland.org.uk/ or call 0131 454 3802
4. WDM Scotland is the Scottish branch of the World Development Movement (WDM). WDM tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.
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