News release
It’s time to vote with your feet and the Ramblers’ WALK magazine (1) is looking at what is on offer for walkers as Election Day approaches. Ramblers Scotland campaign and policy coordinator, Ian McCall, said: “The environment has never been higher on the political agenda and we would expect Ramblers members and others to place outdoors issues high in their priorities when they vote in May’s elections.”
“We wanted to test where each party stands when it comes to Scotland’s great outdoors. We asked each of the main parties about three main topics: walking for health, outdoor access and renewable energy. The responses show that at least our politicians are thinking about these issues.”
“Whichever party or parties form the next administration at Holyrood you can be sure the landscape impact of giant on shore turbines and pylon proposals will be high on the agenda.”
“We are looking to politicians to push for a more balanced approach to renewable energy and also meet our commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The financial support (2) needs overhauled to move away from huge onshore wind developments to support a wider range of technologies – including small scale wind turbines, offshore wind and other marine generation.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
(1) The article “Power walking”, written by Paul Miles, appears in the Spring 2007 issue of “WALK” – the membership magazine of the Ramblers Association. See power walking article. All or part of the article can be reproduced with the appropriate credit.
(2) The Renewables Obligation: The world famous landscapes of Scotland are threatened by giant wind turbine development. This industrialisation of our wild places is paid for by every electricity consumer in Britain through the Renewables Obligation, a government scheme which supports renewable energy development. The Obligation is skewing the electricity market, providing excessive encouragement for giant turbine development on our mountains and moorlands. It is in urgent need of fundamental reform.
(3) WALK magazine also includes articles on:
- A project in central Scotland using hill walking to help turn around the lives of those embroiled in violence, drink, drugs and homelessness.
- Q&A on Renewable Energy.
- Using public transport for walking trips in Scotland.
Vote with your feet! Ramblers Scotland supports the 2007 everyone election campaign for a better quality of life in Scotland.
