Pearson calls for united front on climate change

Environment Minister Ian Pearson has urged countries around the world to come together to tackle climate change.

Speaking at a youth climate change summit, he said it was vital the UK established an international long term agreement to limit carbon emissions.

Such an agreement must include large carbon emitters, such as the US, China and India, if we are to achieve a global low carbon economy, he said.

Also speaking at the event were two English climate change champions – winners of a competition to raise awareness of the subject among younger people.

Winner of the south west region Lucy Stansfield and representative of the east Midlands Carri Swann, were taking part in the four day summit held at the Natural History Museum.

Also present at the event were seven Chinese environment ambassadors.

Mr Pearson outlined the future impacts rising temperatures caused by climate change would have on the world. These included:

• Coastal wetlands threatened by sea level rises
• Coral reefs damaged by rising ocean temperatures
• Damaging effects on biodiversity such as polar bears and golden toads
• Millions of people at risk from increased coastal flooding
• Pressure on food and water resources
• Changes in distribution of insect-borne diseases, such as malaria
• Poorest countries being hit hardest by climate changes with Africa likely to lose four per cent of GDP for each 1C rise.

He said the UK was determined to meet both its Kyoto and domestic climate change targets.

It is currently on track to almost double its 12.5% Kyoto target to reduce greenhouse gas levels by 2008-2012 from 1990 levels, he added.

“This week's Energy Review announcement will help us substantially in our long term domestic goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by some 60% from current levels by 2050.

“But we need everyone to play their part.

“Our new Climate Change Communications Initiative is designed to change public attitudes towards climate change, at grass-roots, local and regional levels and I am delighted that the Natural History Museum and the British Council have come together to hold this vital young people's summit on climate change.

“Together this generation will tackle climate change,” he added.

Mr Pearson backed the role of the nine English climate change champions, who later this month, will travel by train to Switzerland to see at first hand the effects of climate change on Swiss glaciers.

Ms Stansfield produced a climate change video as her entry to the Climate Change Champions competition.

She said the world would look a very different place unless action is taken now.

“I am here to tell you that it does matter. If we don't act now, this glorious world will not exist as we know it. Instead, low-lying land will disappear under the rising sea and fertile land will turn into desert.

Ms Swann won her award by writing a newspaper article about why teenagers in the UK are not interested in climate change.

“We have the energy, unbiased and fresh perspectives, and the creativity and a clarity of thinking which challenges, and often exasperates, older generations.

“Teenagers are, with these advantages, in a better position to tackle climate change than many other groups of people.”

The Natural History Museum's Student Summit 2006: Climate Change event offers young adults a unique opportunity to discuss the issue with some of the UK's leading climate change experts and decision makers.

Other speakers include the Government's chief scientific adviser Sir David King; the chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission Jonathan Porritt and the deputy mayor of London Nicky Gavron.

Further information

See:

• Summit details
• Climate change exhibition
• The Climate Change Communications Initiative
• Defra's climate change pages