In Goodness We Trust!
“Organic farming: in nature we trust” is sadly one of the slogans that the European Commission is using to promote organics, along with the slightly more 1940s style one in the title of this post, and I’m afraid I can’t avoid posting this radio advert from the same campaign. It is just too funny. (If you’re reading this in RSS, click through to the Web version for the clip).
Read More...A Big Fight May Just Be The Green Way
I put my name forward for the Scottish Green's EP elections list. I'm not sure I'll actually be lucky enough to get on the list, but I'll certainly be doing as much as I can to help with the election campaign. Which will in a sense, be a little disheartening.
The problem is, while the political blogosphere will be alight with talk and gossip about the campaigns, and the pan-European media that has developed over the past few years will be busy offering slightly more serious coverage, the general public will potter along, for the large part oblivious to the whole process.
If only everyone were as conscientious as Rousseau: "the very right to vote imposes on me the duty to instruct myself in public affairs".
I don't know what exactly could be done to engage the electorate, but there might be something in Monica Frassoni's suggestion of the parties having a "big fight". Whatever happens, 45.6% turnout is too low, and just feeds the Eurosceptics claims of legitimacy problems with the Union. Unfortunately the cynic in me can't help but think it'll be the 2013 elections before anything is actually done about it.
First Briefing
Georgian War
The European Green Party has called for unconditional ceasefire in Georgia. The Co-operation & Development Network of young greens in Eastern Europe has also spoken against the conflict, and plans an action in Hungary to call for peace and remember those killed in the fighting.
Berlin Neo-Nazi Parade
A Neo-Nazi group in Berlin has announced plans for a protest march through an immigrant district, against the construction of a Hindu temple. Derek Wall blogs about it here, and a Facebook group has been formed also.
Party News
Ireland
Questions over the Lisbon Treaty rumble on in Ireland, as an email is sent to Party members, asking for their views on the controversial treaty. The Irish Times covers the story.
Meanwhile, there are concerns over changes to the student-finance system, with a demonstration being planned, involving the Irish Young Greens. Again, the Irish Times have the story.
UK
Caroline Lucas MEP featured in an article in The Independent on Monday, in which she answered questions from members of the public (and a few party members).
Europe
The European Green Party has criticised the attendance of European leaders at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
France has laid out plans for progress on environmental measures during its presidency of the European Union.
The EU is in the early stages of examining a ‘supergrid’ electricity distribution system to bring solar power from the Sahara to European states.
László Kovács, EU Taxation Commissioner, has supported the concept of windfall taxes on oil companies, to compensate the poor for high fuel costs.
Rules limiting power consumption for some electronic devices while on standby are expected to be approved by the EP later this year, probably taking force in 2010.