Mike's Columns in the Portsmouth News
Tackling Global Warming
It might seem like an obscure meeting in a far off country. But it might also be the most important meeting ever held for the future of Portsmouth and the planet. On 7th December, delegations from 192 countries will meet in Copenhagen for a climate summit to tackle global warming.
The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change says there is a 90% probability that humankind is largely responsible for modern-day climate change. And if we don't act to cut carbon emissions, mainly from burning coal, oil and gas, directly and to generate electricity, there could be devastating consequences. Rising sea levels could see Portsmouth along with much of the country under water. There are likely to be frequent violent storms. And much of the planet will be left uninhabitable.
So I was pleased that last week, the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg challenged Gordon Brown on this in Parliament as unfortunately Labour's time in office has seen rising carbon emissions, plans agreed for a third runway at Heathrow and more dirty coal-fired power stations.
Two weeks ago, Labour MPs also voted down a Lib Dem Parliamentary proposal that all Government departments, public bodies and councils should cut their carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010.
So, there is much more our Government needs to do as quickly as possible. Encouraging "micro-generation" of small-scale solar panels and wind-turbines as much energy is lost in distribution. Helping people make their houses much more energy efficient with "green mortgages" and boiler "scrappage" schemes. And above all, it must take a lead at Copenhagen and I will be pressing them to do that.
And I also realise that I, along with everyone else, must do much more to cut their carbon footprint at an individual level. To do so will not be painless or cost-free but not to do so will be infinitely more disastrous.
Just as we need to act quickly and decisively on Climate Change, we also need to do so on reforming MPs' expenses and Parliament. Tomorrow, Sir Christopher Kelly is due to issue his report on reform. I hope that MPs will accept the report in its entirety and implement it as quickly as possible so as to restore trust in our politics.
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