The Real Alternative on the Environment

8.42.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 15th Apr 2005

"The Liberal Democrats will take the environment seriously," according to Crosby candidate Jim Murray. "That's why we have made action on climate change one of our 10 Good Reasons to vote Lib Dem."

"Our commitment to cleaner energy means that we will ensure at least one fifth of the UK's electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2020. It also means we will not replace nuclear power plants as they reach the end of their working lives. For although nuclear power does not create the carbon dioxide emissions produced by burning fuels like coal, it is far from being waste free." Jim Murray should know what he is talking about on such matters because although he is now a lawyer, his first degree was in Chemistry.

"We will also do more to reduce domestic waste and encourage recycling, and take action to limit the harmful effect of transportation on the environment. We will start by cutting road tax altogether on the least polluting vehicles, paid for by increasing the road tax on the most polluting cars."

Jim Murray also referred to his party's proposals to tackle the damaging effect of air travel on the environment. "Air travel has opened the continent and the wider world to us all like never before, but the planet is paying the price." The Liberal Democrat manifesto opposes the construction of international airports on new sites and proposes a reform of aviation taxation in favour of more fuel efficient aircraft and against half empty planes.