Jason Zadrozny tackles worldwide response to climate change

4.00.00pm GMT Tue 17th Nov 2009

Next month, members of the United Nations meet in Copenhagen for very important talks on securing a new worldwide response to climate change.

On the Saturday December 5, Jason Zadrozny along with Nick Clegg and Simon Hughes and many other people will march in London to demand the Government goes further in cutting carbon emissions.

The next parliament is likely to be the last that can stop dangerous climate change. There is only one party that is both serious about the environment and in a position to exact real change: the Liberal Democrats.

Copenhagen is a vital staging post in the international fight to reduce carbon but the Government is not up to the task of driving through changes.

Labour has failed to cut emissions in the past and refuses to commit to what science demands in the future. We are still at the bottom of the European league table for levels of renewable energy, only above Malta and Luxembourg.

The Conservatives are a laughing stock on the international scene and their environmental policies consist merely of empty platitudes.

The Liberal Democrats are different. We are the only party in UK politics with the vision, policies, ambition and ability to kill carbon emissions.

We will make Britain carbon neutral by 2050. We will reduce emissions faster and more effectively than any other party. And we will make sure that every home is properly insulated within 10 years of taking power. There is only a small window of opportunity to stop dangerous climate change. Only the Liberal Democrats will take it.

UK government must show leadership at home by:

• Saying yes to an immediate 42% reduction in the UK emissions by 2020 before leaving for the Copenhagen climate talks (the Government is currently committed to 34%).

• Saying yes to a ten-year programme to offer the opportunity for every home to be a warm home by 2020.

• Saying yes to 40% of all our electricity from renewable sources by 2020 (the Government is currently committed to 30%).

• Saying no to the third runway at Heathrow.

• Saying no to new dirty coal power stations without full CCS.

• Saying no to the nationalised banks investing public money into Tar Sands.

Europe needs to influence the climate talks by:

• Committing now to a unilateral EU reduction of 30% by 2020 against a 1990 baseline, ahead of the talks and adopt a target of a 40% reduction against the same time on completion of an international agreement.

• Commit to supporting a global finance deal worth $160bn per year from developed countries, without double counting emissions through offsets.

• Introduce further confidence measures to cap-and-trade aviation and shipping; halt deforestation; stop extracting Tar Sands and unconventional fossil fuels.

The march on December 5 is a chance for us to show the Government how strongly people in Britain feel. The Liberal Democrats have the courage to tackle climate change in Britain.

The Liberal Democrats will go furthest on cutting carbon emissions. Go furthest in generating renewable energy. And go furthest in insulating homes.

The Liberal Democrats know that climate change can only be tackled by global action - and that is why the Copenhagen conference is so important. It could prove to be the most important in our lifetimes.

You can also take part in the day of action in December 5th by signing up and joining us on the march.

http://www.libdems.org.uk/latest_news_detail.aspx?title=Sign_up_to_join_The_Wave_-_Copenhagen_2009%3a_Cooling_the_Planet&pPK=54e77cf1-61e0-4120-b605-6154b1d0e034

You can also send you thoughts and messages of support to: Jason@ashfieldlibdems.co.uk