Dundee LibDems support calls for action on climate change
Following news that the world is likely to experience the warmest year on record in 2007, Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Sunday 7th January) gave their support to comments by Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, that this emphasised a clear need for action to tackle the effects of climate change.
The UK's Met Office has indicated that an extended warming period, resulting from an El Nino weather event in the Pacific Ocean, will probably push up global temperatures. It further suggests that there is a 60% chance that the average surface temperature will match or exceed the current record from 1998.
Mr Huhne said, "This has to be the year we face up to the need for action, not just well-meaning words and impressive-sounding targets.
"The big test will be whether the Government reverses the cuts in green taxes that have taken place every year since 1999 and begins to use the tax system to help us change our behaviour. Without a serious effort to reduce the fast-growing emissions from cars and planes, the Government will not have a climate change programme worth talking about."
Locally, here in Dundee, the City Council's Liberal Democrat Vice Convener for Environmental Services and Sustainability, Cllr Helen Dick, said, "We wholly support Chris Huhne's call for real action, not just empty words, on climate change. Labour's record at Westminster has been one of failure in this regard thus far. Decisive action in 2007 is absolutely necessary."