‘Ask your MP to support a strong 2020 climate target’
With the above slogan Friends of the Earth are asking people to press their MP to support a target of 42% in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. They say:
“The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), set up to advise the government, has produced two options for a 2020 target:
Interim target: 34% by 2020 - to be used before a global deal is agreed
Intended target: 42% by 2020 - to be adopted following a global deal on climate change
But really there is no choice.
We must choose the intended target because it is what the science demands - at least 40% by 2020 says the Tyndall Centre."
You can read more on this here: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/climate_act_18161.html?ic_number=236662&m_sourcecode=CLONLINE&product=CLIMATEONLINE
Our MP in Mole Valley Sir Paul Beresford has told me that he is very concerned about climate change but will not make it one of his areas of interest. He also never signs Early Day Motions which is what FoE wants MPs to do as part of this campaign. He's unlikely to change unless he realises that many of his constituents are very concerned and want him to do more, and so I encourage you to write or meet him at one of his surgeries in Dorking or Leatherhead. Ring 01306-883312 to make an appointment.
It's important to appreciate though that the target numbers quoted are influenced by the political question - what can we realistically expect the government to do? They do not answer the question - what reductions are needed to avoid dangerous climate change (generally assumed to occur if the global average temperature rises more than 2 deg C) ?. The Tyndall Centre says that to have a reasonable chance of achieving this, we need annual reductions of 9% per year, maintained year after year.
Derek Smith