Government Slammed over Climate Change Defeatism

6.00.00pm GMT Fri 6th Nov 2009

Leading Welsh Climate Scientist and Wrexham Liberal Democrat candidate Dr Tom Rippeth

Leading Welsh Climate Scientist and Wrexham Liberal Democrat candidate Dr Tom Rippeth has slammed government defeatism over next months Copenhagen UN Convention on Climate Change.

Dr Rippeth comments come after UK government officials suggested that it is highly unlikely that a new legally binding climate treaty can be agreed this year - and a full treaty may be a year away.

Commenting Dr Rippeth said: "Two years ago, the world's governments vowed to finalise a new treaty at next month's climate summit in Copenhagen. They are now saying it will take another year.

"This delay equates to another 50 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere before the world can agree how to deal with this urgent and rapidly growing problem."

Citing last week's defeat by Labour MPs of the House of Commons motion to sign the Houses of Parliament and the Government up to the 10:10 campaign to reduce carbon emissions.

Dr Rippeth said: "This defeatist talk from the Government, and their refusal to back measures to reduce their own carbon footprint last week, show that once again the government are failing to act on this vitally important issue.

"I believe that we simply cannot afford to let the negotiations in Copenhagen conclude without the kind of ambitious treaty that our climate and our future demands from us."

News Link to Government Comments:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8345501.stm