Over the last few months we have seen bold demands being asked of politicians to take real action on climate change.

From the courageous Swedish 16-year-old activist, Greta Thunberg, who has inspired and empowered young people across the globe to stand up and ensure their voice is heard, to the US where we have seen young elected representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fighting for a Green New Deal and making it one of the most talked-about issues of the 2020 presidential election campaign.

And, at our last full council meeting, Glasgow began its journey to gaining climate justice by formally declaring a climate emergency.

I was proud to see this happen and to see once again Glasgow leading the way but it can’t be all talk – we now must take the real, clear action needed to save our planet.

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For me, that means listening to the communities that I represent – and a major issue related to the environment, and which is often brought up when I speak to constituents, is the proposed gasification facility in Scotstoun.

It’s been almost three years since the Scottish Government “called in” the proposal for the facility, which had already been rejected by community groups, local people as well as councillors of all party allegiances – but still the minister in charge feels there is more “to consider”. As a result, he has asked interested groups to further share their views.

In a time when the environment is rightfully at the forefront of all our minds, is this really what we need – creating a facility which will increase traffic in an already extremely busy area, increase harmful fume generated by the proposed 230 foot chimney, as well as produce high levels of CO2 emissions?

It’s time to walk the walk, not just talk the talk – listen to my community and reject this plan for a gasification facility now.