Britain should follow Sweden, not the US
08 February 2006
Following reports of Sweden's plans to become the world's first oil free economy, Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor today spoke of his admiration for the idea and said Britain should also become an example to the world.
"Iceland and Sweden should be the benchmark for countries trying to arrest climate change," he said. "If a developed economy like Sweden is responsible enough to recognise the threats and dangers of continued oil reliance and is taking real steps to repair the damage there can be no excuse for the UK to ignore their example.
"As more countries show they will act and not just speak, the pressure will build on the remaining few to stop jeopardising the safety of everyone else. Britain, with the largest wind, wave and tidal resources in Europe, could, like Sweden and Iceland, be a pioneer and lead the world towards a more advanced form of civilization.
"Instead we look set to follow the US's lead and invest exorbitant sums in a technology we already know to have failed on almost every count, that has all manner of security, supply and health and safety risks and an unsolvable legacy of nuclear waste for hundreds of generations to come.
"Sweden has introduced a number of initiatives proposed for Britain by the Green Party. Incentives such as green taxes and substantial grants to encourage the switch to renewables are Green policies that will make a difference in Britain, just as in Sweden, and we need a government with the conviction to introduce them."
