Lynne Jones

Labour Party | Birmingham Selly Oak

Government must walk the walk says Jones

Lynne Jones, a signatory to EDM 189 recognising that the world is already above the safe level of atmospheric carbon dioxide for a stable planet will address tomorrow's Climate Emergency Rally at Speakers' Corner before joining The Wave around Parliament.

She will say that, in passing the Climate Change Act and commiting our share to the fund for low carbon growth in developing countries, the Government has given the UK the right to claim leadership at the Copenhagen Climate Change negotiations. The UK's share of the proposed annual $100 billion development fund, based on our share of advanced economies' GDP would be $7.6 billion (£4.5 billion). This is about the same amount spent a year on pets and pet food (£4.3 billion); wine brought home (£4.6 billion) and gambling (£4.0 billion) and must be commited whatever the outcome at Copenhagen.

However, she will say that it's not good enough to "talk the talk" when, without the recession, we would not be meeting our obligations on carbon emissions at home. In particular the MP will call for money spent in reviving the economy to be switched to investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy and public transport to create a million green jobs. She will say that the climate emergency demands emergency measures such as a speed limit of 55 mph and the phasing out of unabated coal and of domestic flights. But she will also tell those assembled not to just leave it to Government but to grasp this opportunity to commit to changes in our own lifestyle - changes that will make us wealthier and healthier.