Lynne Featherstone MP Teams up with the Queen to Tackle Climate Change

1.08.12pm GMT Fri 13th Oct 2006

Lynne Featherstone MP met with a Queen look-a-like outside the House of Commons this week to highlight the need for a climate change law to be included in the Queen's speech at the opening of Parliament in November.

Lynne Featherstone is one of 397 MPs who are backing The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's climate campaign which is calling for the introduction of a law that would commit the Government to cutting the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by at least three per cent year on year [1].

Friends of the Earth believes a climate change law would ensure the UK plays its part in keeping global temperatures below danger levels, and that it does this in a manageable way. The cuts in carbon dioxide emissions which are needed can be achieved through a range of measures such as encouraging energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy supplies.

The Queen's Speech will be read out by the Queen when the new session of Parliament begins, but its content is decided by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It sets out the Bills the Government will bring to Parliament in the following year. A Climate Change Bill needs to be included in the speech, to signify that the Government will make available time for Parliament to debate and pass such a Bill into law.

Friends of the Earth is also a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which launches the 'I Count' campaign this week. 'I Count' is designed to inspire personal and political action and counter the view that climate change is too big a problem to fix. More information at: www.icount.org.uk [2].

Lynne Featherstone said:

"I'm 100% behind Friends of the Earth's Big Ask. If you don't ask, you don't get and if we don't get - there won't be a world to worry about!"

Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper said:

"Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face however we do have the means to tackle it. A climate law will give Government and business the framework they need to put the solutions to climate change into practice. With the support of Lynne and the 395 other MPs who are backing The Big Ask campaign we are a step closer to getting this law introduced."

ENDS

Notes for editor

For more information please contact the Friends of the Earth press office on 0207 566 1649 or 07764 364 187

[1] For more information on The Big Ask go to www.thebigask.com

[2] Stop Climate Chaos (SCC) is an unprecedented and growing coalition on climate change, bringing together environment and development organisations, unions, faith, community and women's groups. Members include Friends of the Earth, RSPB, Greenpeace, WWF, Oxfam, Tearfund, Christian Aid, the Women's' Institute and UNISON. Members of the public are encouraged to sign up to the campaign at www.icount.org.uk or by texting 'I Count' to 84424. They are also urged to attend a mass event at London's Trafalgar Square, on Saturday 4th November, 2006, 1-3pm - on the eve of international climate change talks in Nairobi, Kenya.