The majority of wars fought over the last 30+ years have been over access to and exploitation of fossil fuels. This has been an open secret, yet has received insufficient opposition from an environmentalist perspective. As regions around the world become environmentally unstable, they also become politically and economically unstable. We cannot deny that a link between aggressive foreign policy and climate change is becoming ever more apparent. The US, in particular, has an extensive history of toppling governments for fossil fuel-related motivations. The coup in Venezuela is no different. Regardless of how you feel about the current Venezuelan government, the potential for the privatisation of oil in the country by a possible Guaido government, backed by the US, will be a major loss for the planet. John Bolton, Donald Trump's National Security Advisor, has even openly admitted that supporting the coup is motivated by getting at the country's oil, as he unwittingly revealed in a Fox Business Network interview: "We're in conversation with major American companies now that are either in Venezuela or, in the case of CITGO, here in the United States. I think we're trying to get to the same result here. It'll make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela". Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. Enough to keep us burning dirty energy well past the point of no return of 12 years as warned by the IPCC. If we want to radically reduce carbon emissions, standing idly by while Venezuela's publicly-owned oil gets carved up by encroaching foreign fossil fuel companies is going to make the problem even worse. This is why we need to rally action on this issue and highlight its environmental aspect that is barely getting any attention. We can make this the start of a movement to apply public pressure and prevent an escalation of such behaviour. That includes any possibility of a direct invasion of the country the US government. This should be done both in the name of peace and the planet. At the same time, we could urge the Venezuelan government itself to diversify away from their dependency on these oil reserves and move towards renewable energy ASAP, setting a major example for other governments in the region. We are in an era of climate change wars, where governments are willing to do anything to fight over ever-dwindling scraps of fossil fuels. Even if it means violating international law, spreading misinformation, using sanctions & market forces as political leverage, or simply tweeting a president into existence. All the while the planet becomes less habitable and everyone will be left to bear the consequences of such actions. In short, if you believe in keeping fossil fuels in the ground, then we must not allow private interests to take it out of the ground in Venezuela. The first step in doing so is to publicly oppose it and push back from an environmental standpoint. #StoptheCoup

Plastic is bad for everyone - our environment, wildlife and human life. We are killing our planet with a material that isn’t necessary as there as so many alternatives however there are greedy people in the world who are willingly causing the murder of our home and everything in it carry on.

Following a successful campaign to ensure that it is at least theoretically possible to recycle Walkers crisp packets, we believe more action is urgently required to ensure that we make the most of this potential to reduce Scotland’s waste mountain. In fact, Terracycle (the company Walkers partnered with) actually have a rather wide range of recycling programmes (https://www.terracycle.co.uk/en-GB/brigades) that include: - air and home care products - bread bags - toothpaste products - crisp, biscuits and snack packets - Pringles tubes - writing instruments Obviously, none of these are included in kerbside recycling in Moray (or across Scotland, as far as I am aware). Local Councils are already struggling with cuts to services so do not have the capacity to help, so supermarkets seem ideally situated. We still only recycle 45.6% of waste generated in Scotland (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-45638111), which is an appallingly low number when we consider how long we've been exposed to the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" mantra. Even though each of the Terracycle programmes is initiated by specific brands (i.e. Colgate), they do not just take their own particular brand (i.e. any kind of toothpaste tube) and each could significantly impact the amount of waste going to landfill. This could be a huge benefit to our environment, enabling us to truly become "Zero Waste Scotland". Sadly, all the initiatives currently seem to have hardly any representation in the places like the Highlands and Islands. For example, the nearest Pringles tube drop-off is in Inverurie (AB51). The "writing instruments" programme has Central Primary School in Inverness (which is only accessible to those with children at the school or staff members) and another in the rather obscure location of "Milton of Rothiemay" (a forty minute drive from Elgin). They are currently closed to new participants. It's great that we seem to have the technology to recycle so much but this current approach just seems ridiculously piecemeal. I understand that the brands are keen to burnish their green credentials and Terracycle offer a means for them to tick the "doing something about it" box. Yet how much is actually being recycled and how accessible are these programmes, particularly in rural locations? That's why I am petitioning the Scottish Government to legislate to force every supermarket in Scotland to collect materials for the Terracycle programmes. We need to have proper processes in place to reduce our waste and safeguard Scotland's future socio-economic prosperity. This seems a common-sense measure that everyone can support. However, we need to show the Scottish Government how passionately we care about this issues, so they take action and don’t get distracted by other objectives.

Have you ever taken notice whilst driving the sheer amount of rubbish along the kurbside, in the grass, bushes etc on nearly all roads now including motorways? It’s everywhere, we need to act now before it gets unbearable!

These single condiment sachets are littering our streets and ending up in our water ways and oceans. Not only can they only be used once, they can not be recycled and in order to get to the product inside, it involves tearing off a small piece of the packaging that often litters. Fast food and connivence stores are serving these sachets all over the world. We don't need them. We don't want them. So please stop.

This is essential to remove all bottles and cans from the environment. It would mark the UK as a world leader in environmental protection, encouraging other countries to follow suit. Vulnerable ecosystems (e.g. 3rd world water supplies, the Pacific) would be protected.

This is important because this could possibly help save the planet, we should all do our bit to help out including scotland.

FULL TEXT OF MOTION - DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY 1. Humans have already caused irreversible climate change and ecological devastation. The impacts of which are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by 1.1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Atmospheric CO2 levels are above 400 parts per million (ppm). This far exceeds the 350 ppm deemed to be a safe level for humanity and all the other species that we co-exist with and depend on; 2. In order to reduce the chance of runaway global warming and limit the effects of climate breakdown, and ecocide, it is imperative that we as a species reduce our CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to 1 tonne as soon as possible, and live within the resource means of our planet; 3. Individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs to change its laws, taxation, infrastructure, etc., to make low carbon and sustainable living easier and the new norm. 4. Carbon emissions arise from both production and consumption of resources. 5. The Highland Council has already shown foresight and leadership when it comes to addressing the issue of climate change, through the development of the Carbon CLEVER initiative as well as by setting bold emissions reductions targets through its carbon management plan. 6. Unfortunately, our current plans and actions are not enough. The world is on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit before 2030. 7. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published in 2018, describes the enormous harm that a 2°C rise is likely to cause compared to a 1.5°C rise, and told us that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities. 8. Councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ and committing resources to address this emergency. The Highland Council believes that: 1. All governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of climate breakdown and the unsustainable abuse of our ecosystems, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. It is important for the residents and businesses of Highland and the UK that cities and regions commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible. 2. Cities are uniquely placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as they are in many ways easier to decarbonise than rural areas – for example because of their capacity for heat networks and mass transit. Inverness should aspire to be an exemplar in this respect, but the rural areas of the Highlands can also lead the way, building on work many communities have already undertaken; 3. The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°C are so severe that preventing this from happening must be humanity’s number one priority; and, 4. Bold climate action can deliver economic benefits in terms of new jobs, economic savings and market opportunities (as well as improved well-being for people worldwide). The Highland Council resolves to: 1. Declare a ‘Climate & Ecological Emergency’; 2. Re-commit to make the Highlands carbon neutral by 2025, taking into account both production and consumption emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3); 3. Call on the Scottish Government to provide the powers and resources to make the 2025 target possible; 4. Work with other Councils to determine and implement best practice methods to limit global warming to less than 1.5°C and to consume global resources at a rate that can be sustained ; 5. Continue to work with partners across the city and region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies and plans; 6. Report to Full Council within six months with the actions the Council will take to address this emergency.

we no longer want to buy products wrapped in plastic due to the impact plastic is having on our planet. Our oceans are full of plastic as are landfill sites. We want a healthy clean planet for our children & grandchildren. We want you to use biodegradable wrapping instead of plastic.

The tramroad bridge is an important pedestrian and cycle route into Preston. It is well used, providing a link to the footpath network based around the old railways and the Lancaster Canal tramroad. Many people have fond memories of the bridge, which has evolved from its original purpose as part of the canal, to being the much loved strucutre that it is today. Given that walking and cycling to work are far greener than using a car or even public transport, it would be foolhardy to remove this vital link in the network of pathways to the south of Preston.

Plastic Toys come under 'non recyclable' by most (if not all) local council's refuse departments. There is nothing wrong with these tracks otherwise and as we all know plastic lasts forever. These Hotwheels tracks, together with countless other Mattel plastic toys around the world could be enjoyed by children for years to come. Instead there is no alternative but to send them to landfill. There is no need whatsoever for this. Other toy companies provide spare parts. Why wont Mattel?

There is global consensus that climate change poses significant risk to our health, our economy, our environment, and endangers the wellbeing of future generations. Scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that we have no more than 12 years to limit a climate catastrophe and even locally, here in Derbyshire, we are dealing with significant challenges closely linked to a changing climate. These include extreme weather events, severe impacts to Derbyshire’s rich flora and fauna, and threats to food production and supply. Communities across Derby and Derbyshire are becoming frustrated by governments that are unwilling to take the urgent steps needed, to deal with these issues. Humanity’s future depends on today’s bold and brave leaders to put traditional political differences aside and make the necessary decisions now in order to safeguard the environment, our future and those of generations to come.