Dover Technical College hosted a Green New Deal for Dover event on 29 October.
Vehicle mechanics students were keen to find out about the all-electric bus which is one of a fleet of Brighton buses of the Big Lemon. The college building department were interested in ideas on low and zero-carbon homes.
Alex Phillips, Green MEP, visited Dover to launch her Green New Deal Report, as part of a tour of South-East England.
The report focuses on Dover as an example of a district that would do a lot better with climate-friendly, socially-inclusive regeneration instead of the volume-developer-led regeneration that planning departments in East Kent are looking at.
Alex said:
“Like it says on the bus my husband is driving, the Green New Deal means a safe climate and social justice and green jobs.
Jobs refitting homes in our towns so they are energy efficient, or in the renewables sector or building zero-carbon social housing.
It has been great to hear from Dover Technical College people. They are producing the craftspeople of the future. I’ve had an amazing welcome in Dover, and really enjoyed discussing with people of East Kent what we can do to implement plans in the gateway to England.”
Community groups Transition Dover and East Kent Climate Action also hosted a public meeting on the Green New Deal the same evening.
Sarah Gleave one of the organisers said, “We had a great audience at St Mary’s Parish Centre, and a great discussion about this plan for wildlife-friendly, climate-friendly, socially-inclusive regeneration.
We heard three great speakers; Colin Hines (who advised USA Democrats in 2018, and who founded GND 10 years ago); SE England Green MEP Alex Phillips launching her report on GND 4 SE England (focusing on Dover); and Rob Yates, new Thanet DC Labour councillor and renewables professional.
We can make changes this winter, changes that will give our youngsters something to hope for. Let’s do it“
Sarah Gleave is campaigns coordinator for Dover and Deal Green Party.
View the Green New Deal Report