Month: May 2019

Letters: Capitalism cannot control the greedy

Dear Editor

It never fails to amaze me to see the varied skills and knowledge of working people and their dedication. This is made clear to each and every one of us when we need help.

Working people are the largest section of the total population; they make and design everything that we use and need.

The importance of each and every one cannot be overstated: it is the skills of the working people that make things – no investor or financial institution can or does produce anything. Their contribution, if investing can be called that, is to buy the abilities and skills of people for a weekly wage. Then, they lay claim to everything that has been produced, making even more profit from the labour of working people.

This is how the society in which we live operates – it is called Capitalism, an outdated system that works for the benefit of the wealthy.

It buys the labour power and skills of working people, as many hours as possible and for as little pay as possible, and when the goods are made takes them as theirs to sell for their own profit. What an incredible system we tolerate!

To change this blatant exploitation of working people needs examples of where public ownership of such industries as Gas and Electicity, railways and other public passenger transport; water companies, too, would also benefit not just the people employed but the public at large.

Capitalism cannot control the greedy, or solve any problems.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Council to consult on city centre ‘transformation’

A major public consultation will be launched on a radical programme to transform Edinburgh’s city centre if, as expected, it is approved by city councillors next week.

Continue reading Council to consult on city centre ‘transformation’

Here we go again: Disruption expected as Trams to Newhaven prep work commences …

… and there’s major road resurfacing too

Contractors preparing to begin construction as part of the Trams to Newhaven project will carry out investigation works at various points on the route from later this month. 

Tram route map Airport to Newhaven

Ground and site investigation work has been programmed for a number of locations between York Place and Newhaven, starting in Lindsay Road in the week commencing 20 May 2019. Continue reading Here we go again: Disruption expected as Trams to Newhaven prep work commences …

UK requires an immediate ban on single use products

Eight worst landfill offenders revealed

Certain items should be banned immediately to prevent further damage the environment, according to business waste and recycling experts BusinessWaste.co.uk .

While the impact of single-use plastics is being discussed more visibly, actual change has been slow. The introduction of a 5p charge for plastic bags saw a dramatic reduction in the number of new bags issued by retailers, but still saw 500 million bags issued in six months after the scheme was rolled out – still equivalent to 4,000 tonnes of new plastic.

Similarly, many chain restaurants have announced their intention to introduce paper, rather than plastic, straws, following the Government’s announcement that they would soon ban the sale of plastic straws – but many outlets are still using plastic, 6 months away from the proposed implementation of the ban.

There are, research by BusinessWaster.co.uk and studies have shown, a number of items whose use – and subsequent disposal – create an unjustifiable amount of plastic waste.

Here, we look at the worst offenders (and some alternatives):

Plastic bags

Plastic bags take 10-20 years to break down in the environment – unlike a water-soluble alternative developed in Chile, which (despite looking identical to a traditional carrier bag) dissolves once stirred into water, removing the need for landfill-clogging plastics.

Disposable nappies

Taking a horrifying 450 years to break down, disposable nappies are one of the worst offenders for single-use plastic – and, as many contain moisture-locking gels, can have other unintended ill-effects once dumped in landfill. However, reusable cloth nappies are now widely available, and have been found to be better for babies’ skin – making for happier babies and more eco-friendly parents.

Fishing line

An unusual entry, but with 1.2 million fishing licences issued for 2015-16 (the most recent year for which data is available), there are millions of miles of plastic fishing line (which takes 600 years to break down) bought and discarded each year. Banning this would not stop angling enthusiasts, however – dissolvable fishing line has been developed which eventually breaks down in water, meaning fishing fans can still hook their catch of the day without adding to landfill!

Cigarette butts

By now, everyone is aware that smoking itself is dangerous – and banning it outright would contribute dramatically to an improvement in public health. But plastic cigarette filters, which are discarded once a smoker finishes their crafty smoking break, take between 1 and 5 years to break down in landfill. However, with improved support for smoking cessation and reusable vaping technology available, there are alternatives for those who are addicted and struggling to quit.

Plastic bottles

Taking up to 450 years to break down, plastic bottles are a prime offender – and banning them could see the continued increase of reusable water containers, which have seen a dramatic increase in sales in recent years. Many of these are more durable plastics, or aluminium, and therefore can be used for many years before needing recycling.

Styrofoam

Horrifyingly, there are no indications for how long this widely-used packaging material takes to break down after it has been discarded – causing a potentially massive headache for the environment, as online shopping (and therefore carefully-packed parcels) reaches new heights each year. However, there are eco-friendly alternatives. From bamboo fibre packaging to cardboard ‘packing peanuts’, there are a wealth of cushioning options for your brand new TV to be delivered safely.

Aluminium cans

While aluminium cans are recyclable, many local authorities lack the capacity to actually do so – and many millions of drinks cans are sent to landfill each year. However, as they can take up 200 years to break down, drinks retailers could consider more eco-friendly options if they were banned – such as reusable glass containers or even recyclable cardboard cartons.

BusinessWaste.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall said:

“We truly believe that there cannot be significant change to the amount of single-use plastic – and other materials – going to landfill without equally significant action. Banning these products might seem like a big step, but as we’ve shown, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives.

“The best way to encourage businesses to innovate and find better ways of manufacturing is to create demand for it, and that’s what we believe a ban on these items would do. The general public are now more aware of green issues than ever and we feel that there would be widespread support for a bold move towards improving our environmental credentials.”

 

White roses on World Ovarian Cancer Day

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) united after Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, in support of a charity campaign marking World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD).

Cross-party MSPs stood together on the steps of the Garden Lobby and were pictured holding symbolic white roses for a special photo call, organised by research charity Ovarian Cancer Action and sponsored by Monica Lennon (Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland).

The event was part of Ovarian Cancer Action’s UK-wide campaign to promote ovarian cancer symptoms awareness. The charity handed out 33,000 roses in cities across the UK with symptoms card attached, representing the number of women currently living with the disease in the UK.

White roses were also worn by Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, and dozens of MPs in the House of Commons; the Welsh First Minister and Assembly Members to promote life-saving symptoms awareness.

Ovarian cancer kills one woman every two hours, yet according to research by Ovarian Cancer Action, 82% of women do not know the four main symptoms1. These are: persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly, and weeing more frequently.

Low awareness, combined with a reluctance to visit the GP immediately (70% of women would hope their symptoms disappeared in time) is particularly dangerous.

There’s no screening tool for ovarian cancer and quick symptoms recognition and action is the only way to detect the disease early. Ovarian Cancer Action is calling on the Scottish Government to fund a Detect Cancer Early awareness campaign for ovarian cancer to raise vital awareness of the disease and its symptoms.

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, said: “Early detection of Ovarian Cancer is the best way to improve survival rates for women.

“If you have any of the four main symptoms, persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly or weeing more frequently, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your GP to get checked.” 

Monica Lennon, convener of the Cross-Party Group on Women’s Health, was delighted to bring the campaign into Scottish Parliament. “It was superb to see Members from all parties take a rose today and stand with the 33,000 women currently living with ovarian cancer – 3,300 of which live in Scotland.

“It’s vital we know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, a disease too easily confused with other conditions, and this is costing women their lives. It was wonderful to join forces with my fellow MSPs and with the other national parliaments, to project a message of hope for World Ovarian Cancer Day.”

Cary Wakefield, Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action, said: “The UK has one of the worst ovarian cancer survival rates in Europe. To improve survival rates we need more research and better symptom awareness, which is why we are handing out 33,000 white roses this World Ovarian Cancer Day.

“It’s easy to ignore symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain if you don’t know they are symptoms of a potentially deadly disease. Listen to your body and head straight to your GP if something isn’t right.”