19th December 2007

Dear Editor

Recently MP Richard Caborn replied to a request to provide evidence that
the government, in spite of its support for airport, road, nuclear and
coal expansion, is serious about climate change. A letter arrived
containing an impassioned speech by Prime Minster Gordon Brown about how he is committed to saving the planet. Why don't I believe him?

Industry secretary John Hutton announced that Britain wants to expand
offshore wind power to provide about a fifth of the UK's energy by 2020.
This sounds suspiciously similar to a proposal five years ago that came
to nothing. I have no reason to think that anything has changed.

Wind energy has the potential to create thousands of lasting jobs that
are particularly suitable for Sheffield with its steel and engineering
expertise. Demand for wind turbines has grown and there is a shortage of
components along with serious quality control issues. It is now taking
some 15 months to source vital equipment due to low manufacturing
capacity. Most wind farms need made-to- measure turbines of high quality
and performance. Wind companies are having to scale back their
operations because of the difficulties of sourcing the 8.000 separate
components needed for each turbine. What an opportunity for this city!

November's United Nation's latest report figures show we are close to
triggering run away climate change and should be treated as a global
emergency. The science is clear we need to act now.

Why are government industry ministers not to be seen in Sheffield
sitting down with the Council and the steel and engineering industry?
Thousands of skilled jobs are there to be leapt at. Why are our local
papers and TV not full of urgent visits from highly placed civil
servants working out how to make the best use of the expertise Sheffield
has in gearing up to meet this challenge?

Instead government has its head in the sand. Sheffield's recently
approved Economic Master Plan is about the knowledge economy and
competing in global markets. This will not deliver a low carbon economy
or cut our current 15% and growing contribution to world greenhouse gas
emissions.

Until I see the men and women in suits sitting down with the engineering
companies in this city and co-ordinating with the City Council the
industrial revolution that will usher in the solar age I remain utterly
unconvinced the government is serious about tacking the climate change
emergency.

Yours Sincerely.

Bernard Little.

Green Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for
Sheffield Central