Environmental Justice Fringe Meeting

At the Scottish Labour Conference I was pleased to be asked to speak as a local councillor and as Labour's Environment spokesperson on Dundee City Council at a fringe meeting on Environmental Justice. The meeting was sponsored by Friends of the Earth Scotland, the Scottish Co-operative Party and by SERA Scotland.

Davina Shiell from Friends of the Earth Scotland spoke about the concept of Environmental Justice. She quoted former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell saying, 'people who suffer most from a poor environment are those least able to fight back, and I believe government is about standing up for them and changing that situation ... I believe the biggest challenge for the early 21st century is to combine economic progress with social and environmental justice.'

I followed her by speaking about what councils could do to promote environmental justice. I highlighted the work of the Christie Commission published last year which pointed out that a large proportion of local government income is spent on problems that could have been prevented with earlier intervention. I think that this is particularly true in the area of the environment.

I also pointed out that as a member of Dundee City Council I was not able to save the whale but that I could do a number of small things which will go some way to improving the environment. I mentioned in particular graffiti and vandalism. There should be no tolerance of graffiti or other forms of vandalism. Councillors often want to draw attention to big projects, and I'm no different (refurbishment of McManus or developing a new swimming pool), but often the best outcomes come at little or no cost. An example of this would be joining community groups in taking part in graffiti clearance. This also empowers local people and gives them a sense of 'ownership' of their own local environment.

I drew attention to councils being the custodians of open green spaces right across the country. These public open spaces have three main functions: to provide opportunities for recreation, to contribute to a sustainable natural environment and to enhance the visual amenity of the urban environment. I also drew attention to the Transition Town movement and perhaps looking at at allowing for more food production in our towns and cities. Ideas like promoting allotments and community gardening, even city orchards. Why don't we plant fruit trees in our parks?

Another issue is food procurement by public authorities, local authorities, and others, should look to sourcing food from sustainable local suppliers.

I highlighted Dundee Labour's plans to develop an energy-buying co-operative in the city and also look at areas where we could develop local heating systems.

I believe that by taking care of the local environment and dealing with issues like fuel poverty we can alleviate environmental injustice. Local government can take care of the relatively small scale issues which could develop into bigger problems over time. By dealing with the local I think that we can go someway to encouraging a concern for the global. People can make a difference to their lives and to their communities, and it is important that they do so.

I think that protecting local communities is a vote winner. I think the environmental justice is a vote winner but much much more importantly than that I think that environmental justice is a right and a necessity.