Blogposts tagged 'Climate Clinic'

Greenpeace scientist Dr Doug Parr speaking at the aviation fringe event

Wow! This conference is busy. For the last two days I have been running between fringe events, private meetings with ministers and - well - some parties.

So, a quick catch up on the Greenpeace conference campaign. Firstly our fringe events. On Monday we ran a large event on decentralised energy, which included a screening of our film "A Convenient Solution". The London Mayor - Ken Livingstone - spoke, as did the Energy Minister Malcolm Wickes and our very own John Sauven. It was a packed meeting which still managed to get into some of the detail on decentralised energy. If we are going to solve the climate challenge we are going to need real ambition.

As Labour start their 2007 Conference in Bournemouth today, all the talk is of a possible General Election. Every opinion poll gives Gordon Brown a big lead. A critical polling question is ‘Who would make the best Prime Minister?’ Brown wins hands down. He scores 54 per cent compared to David Cameron on 21 per cent.

We've just had a great aviation debate. Michelle di Leo, from Flying Matters (the big pro-flying lobby group) was up against Simon Montague from Eurostar, Doug Parr from Greenpeace, and Lib Dem transport spokesman, Susan Kramer MP.

Talking before the event, Susan gave me her view of the Tory's Quality of Life report - which John wrote about on his blog. She thinks they haven't gone far enough on aviation, wind power or nuclear. To misquote Mandy Rice-Davies, she would say that wouldn't she. The Quality of Life report was co-authored by Zac Goldsmith - who is running as the Tory candidate in Richmond (Susan Kramer's constituency). If she welcomes it, it would be as good as endorsing her opponent. It is the one side of politics which really annoys me: the need to take opposite views on vital issues because of short-term tactical advantage.

So conference season starts today with the Liberal Democrats in Brighton. I am just finishing up in Canonbury Villas before heading off to Victoria and a train trip to the seaside.

Three party conferences in three weeks will be hard work. But they are a great opportunity to meet key advisers and politicians away from the pressure of Westminster. I am an unashamed political obsessive, so I'm looking forward to spending 18 hours a day talking politics and the environment.