Newton laments failure to address major environmental challenge
The head of the Isle of Man Green Party says government is showing a complete lack of leadership in facing up to the threat of climate change.
Andrew Newton says despite Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan's repeated use of the word 'sustainable' in his budget speech, his financial plan fails to seriously address this 'major strategic threat'.
He's criticised what he sees as the 'token amount' put aside for climate change in the billion-pound budget.
Mr Cannan highlighted planned spending of £3.3 million on flood defences to protect citizens against 'threats to life and property' caused by rising seas.
Electrification of the Manx economy, investment in renewable energy, and green procurement policies should all have been introduced in this budget, according to Mr Newton.
He told Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne this administration has to start treating the climate change threat seriously, and soon:
Overnight sailings cancelled due to adverse weather
Rapist who 'terrorised' his victim told his sentence was 'entirely justified'
Complaints process for health system changed
Discovery of oiled birds 'makes a mockery of our biosphere status'
Charges now in place for those sending parcels to the EU