‘Green’, or ‘green’

This may come across as rather pedantic, but it’s annoying nonetheless so I shall run with it.  I keep (inadvertently) clicking on links on my twitter feed that take me to Green Party press releases or the latest partisan article written by their leader, Caroline Lucas. Why? Because people keep on posting links with descriptions such as ‘the green case for voting reform’, or ‘the green case for nuclear’.

This is annoying. The Green Party of England & Wales do not have a monopoly over the term ‘green’. As I said in a tweet earlier today: ‘@davidmentiply Please be explicit when [making a] party political point.’ Otherwise, it comes across as though the Green Party/their leaders are speaking on behalf of other self-identified greens who happen to be non-aligned or of another party altogether.  I’m sure we agree on a lot of issues but, similarly, there are many cases where we do not. For clarity, let’s try not to blur the lines if we can help it.

Historic Green Victory

The Green Party has won its first ever Westminster seat. Caroline Lucas, who will represent the Brighton Pavilion constituency, beat her closest rivals by a margin of more than 1,000. It is a first in UK electoral history and represents a real breakthrough for green politics.

Update:

Channel 4 profiles the UK’s first Green MP.

At Open Democracy the Green councillor, Dr Rupert Read, is unsuprisingly upbeat about the future of his party.

And an article in the Guardian asks ‘what next’ for the Greens?

Green Party

epolitix – reports that Green Party leader, Caroline Lucas, is calling for a “Green New Deal”.

letsrecycle – welcomes the Green Party pledge to double spending on recycling and waste management.

BBC – provides an at-a-glance review of the Green Party manifesto.

Myles Allen -on why he wont be voting Green.

The Telegraph – on why many of their readers (you would presume) will not be voting Green either.

Green 5

The Nissan Leaf electric car is set to be built in the north east of England. Not only is this a further boost to the British car industry, which announced an increase in productivity this month by nearly 60%, but it will secure the UK’s position as a centre for producing low carbon vehicles. BBC News.

Not sure what to make of the new ‘Razor’ tower block in London. Designers have claimed it will generate 8% of its energy needs via its built-in rooftop turbines. Click here for images of the Guardian’s seven best green skyscrapers.

Ahead of the UK budget next week, Joss Garman of Left Foot Forward argues the case for a Green New Deal.

There is a short interview in LFF with Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP, on the banned climate change ads saga.

Ian McEwan’s timely novel, Solar, which centres on a middle-aged climate scientist comes under fire from the Independent. No doubt it will be adpated for the big screen soon enough!