MP's Perspective: The Environment

As we all must know, our planet is currently facing a series of stark changes that will threaten the survival of not only other species but also eventually the human race. Because of the Methane and Carbon Dioxide emissions we are producing through the burning of fossil fuels, usage of cars and the growing of rice paddy fields and cattle, we are creating a surge of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, an unbalance that will mean that more heat radiation from the sun is trapped and thus prevented from being released back into the atmosphere. Very few organisms can adapt at the speed of the dramatic temperature change, and this upsets the eco-systems and food chains which we rely on. Moreover, this hike in temperature means that the vast ice caps in the north and south poles are gradually melting, as is the ice on mountains. This creates a rise in the sea levels and contributes to natural disasters like tsunamis, floods and hurricanes.

Many human activities furthermore contribute to other environmental problems. The burning of sulphuric impurities present in fossil fuels contributes to acid rain, which causes beautiful limestone architecture to erode and kills organisms in rivers and lakes. The burning of diesel particles in cars also creates particulates which not only are proven to cause lung cancer and asthma, but also causes to global dimming, an increasingly great problem.

Mr. Horwood campaigning for the Green Belt of Cheltenham

Fortunately, the MP of Cheltenham recognizes this and has committed to fighting ‘tooth and nail’ for the sake of the environment. Mr. Horwood has been brought up with excellent ‘green’ values (his father was chairman of the Leckhampton Green Land Action Group) and has introduced plastic recycling to Cheltenham. He has also improved the walking and cycling routes to reduce the usage of private cars and was the only candidate in Cheltenham to oppose South West Regional Assembly’s plans. He strives to meet the regulations set by the Kyoto Protocol and to reduce national carbon emissions. He believes that ‘greenfield’ developments should be taxed more than ‘brownfield’ developments to preserve the green spaces for future generation.

Here are his views on the Labour and Tory’s government’s house-building scheme on Cheltenham’s Green Belt:

Cheltenham's Green Belt and other local green spaces are under threat from an
unholy alliance of the Labour government agenda to accelerate house-building
across the South West and Tory councillors in other parts of Gloucestershire
happy to go along with it providing the houses are built around Cheltenham.

To find out more, visit http://www.cheltlibdems.co.uk/green.htm