We in the Green Party are highly critical of the EU where criticism is called for. For example, we find the Common Agricultural Policy as it is presently constituted a dangerous waste of money; we oppose joining the Euro; and we think that big business fat cats and lobbyists have an undue role in creating European laws. We are Euro-critical. But we are not outright Euro-sceptical – because it is obvious that Britain’s membership of the EU has in some respects conferred significant benefits on this country. For example by playing a key role in keeping the peace in Europe for most of the last sixty-three years, by ensuring human and political rights for all citizens (including equal rights for men and women), by giving rights of travel and employment throughout Europe (for plumbers, for painters and decorators, for British people who want to live and work elsewhere in Europe, for everyone).
But, most significantly, it has taken action, where the British government has failed, in measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus fight dangerous climate change.
The most recent move in this direction is the proposal to ban the sale of patio heaters which must be the most wasteful form of energy-use of all. A 9.3 kW gas heater generates 2.3 tons of CO2 per year and 90% of the heat generated goes straight up to the sky. I have long campaigned against the use of these climate-dangerous patio heaters and welcome this move by the EU.
EU policy in this instance is really just common sense. Isn’t it just a bit silly to burn your money? But that, in effect, is what one is doing when one uses a patio heater. Paying, to heat up the night sky…
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