Greening the streets

3rd meeting of local green councillors

Air conditioning – a contributor to climate change

Air conditioning in houses highly increases the energy consumption and contributes to climate change. Green MEP, Eva Lichtenberger talks to Imma Mayol, Depute Mayor of Barcelona, about the special problems southern metropolitan cities are facing in the fight against climate change. Education campaigns on the local level are supposed to make people aware of the effects, air conditioning has on the environment and to show them how to increase the efficiency of heating and cooling in the houses, Imma Mayoll explains.

Congestion charging in London

The congestion charge has enabled London to keep down any growth in cars. By requiring drivers to pay £8 per day if they wish to continue driving in central London, they are encouraged to use other modes of transport. Green MEP, Michael Cramer talks to Jenny Jones, Member of the London Assembly and strong promoter of the congestion charge. “People understood that there was an alternative to using there cars” she explains the great success of congestion charging in London.

Tackle climate change at the local level

“Decisions at all levels of policy making are urgently needed”, claims Luxemburg’s green MEP Claude Turmes. From the European to the local level, actions have to be taken in the view of climate change. He proposes concrete changes in the planning of urban infrastructure, for example the building of new bicycle lanes to promote alternatives in transport.

Improving the quality of life

Green MEP Raul Romeva draws conclusions from the green conference taking place in his own constituency, in Barcelona. He underlines the need of local decisions, in order to tackle global problems. Issues of local politics are of a special importance, not only because they concern the environment, but also because they have direct effects on the quality of people’s lives.