Speaking at a seminar hosted by the UK Environmental Law Association, Caroline Lucas drew comparisons between the fight against discrimination in the 1970s and 1980s and the fight for environmental rights today.

Mind boggles…

How to make a false analogy in one easy move.

And if Ms Lucas is so concerned with local abilility to oppose pollution and development, why does she not simply seek to strengthen local communities ability to successfully oppose planning applications? That would do the same thing without the bureaucracy and courts.

1. Watchman

When local opposition to planning application fails (even if you gave locals more rights) an Environmental Rights Commission would be a valuable resource.

I think the analogy with gender equality is appropriate. As an example, the UK has vast differences in air quality between different areas. Usually the areas with the worst air quality are urban areas where people are low paid or out of work. These areas may also have high numbers of people without English as their first language and may not have many people with the time, skills or inclination to fight effectively for reduction in air pollution. Does this mean that they should be forced to accept low air quality? Please don’t say that if they don’t like it they should move away. This is not an option for people struggling to make ends meet where they are and doesn’t solve the problem for everyone, just for them.
Similarly not all women being discriminated against in the work place had the time, money and skills to take on their employers. Other support was available, but the Equal Opportunities Commission has had a positive impact, despite there still being a long way to go.
An Environmental Rights Commission would send a signal that the government intends to work towards safe, healthy and enriching environments for all. It’s not as if every planning application would be sent its way. I’m sure that high profile cases would set precedent and change the culture of development, management and government to be more considerate of the environment in which people have to live, work and choose to spend their leisure time.