By Jamie Peters, Edinburgh, Newcastle & Debry, Route 1 12.05.2012 – 14.05.2012
Part of our Climate Caravan Tour series.
Climate Caravan does Edinburgh! 12.05.2012
Edinburgh, famous for bagpipes, tartan and a castle was the first stop for the climate caravan! Outside the Scottish Parliament we met three Scottish Members of Scottish Parliament (MSP). It was great to hear from politicians from three different parties (Green Party, Labour and Scottish National Party) who all were pushing for green jobs. Everyone knows it makes sense!
We then spoke with members of the public which was great to see people from all backgrounds supporting the campaign.
I spoke to one person who talked of the break down in many of the traditional services in Scotland and he spoke of his worry for the youngest generation who need those sectors to be replaced. Replaced with clean and sustainable ones we say!
Newcastle! 13.05.2012
Similar to Glasgow (my hometown) Newcastle has been affected by the closure of heavy industry. Those job losses in Newcastle, I was told by so many people, is something that the city has not fully recovered from.
We also spoke at a public meeting that had a good presence from the local Green Party as well as many enthusiastic Trade Union members. We heard how the Green Jobs initiative offers the opposite of the austerity cuts that are negatively impacting upon so many of us.
Derby! 14.05.2012
Sunny, sunny Derby on Monday (25 degrees!). We seen a great response from local campaigners as well as the public in general. A great deal of enthusiasm was apparent for this demand for more jobs in clean sectors. Derby activists are advocating 5,000 new green jobs to be implemented as soon as possible!
In the evening another public meeting is planned taking place with speakers discussing how to make this a reality!
That is the end of my physical journey with the Climate Caravan! I have realised how much support there is for more Green Jobs. As a generation we are facing two massive issues. Climate change could be the defining point of our time and its impacts will be severe in the coming years around the world unless we take urgent and serious action. The second issue that must also be tackled is the increasing unemployment and lack of opportunities for young people. Green Jobs addresses both of these problems with logical and achievable aims. Green Jobs make sense and will make our future so much brighter!