1 How important a concern is climate change?

2 What can Britain do to make a difference?

3 What steps do you plan to take (or have you taken), in your constituency, and as an individual?

1 Climate change is the most important challenge the world is facing.

2 Britain needs to set an example to other developed nations and to developing nations in setting targets to meet the goal of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 compared with 1990, as well as establishing a worldwide carbon emissions trading scheme.

3 At home I have switched to energy saving light bulbs and energy efficient electrical equipment and do not leave appliances on stand-by. I use the trains more than my car for longer journeys and have also offset my summer holiday flight. I have two composting bins in my garden for waste food, recycle newspapers and have installed a water butt to collect rain water for use in the garden. As a Minister, I have switched to an electric hybrid car and am leading the drive for energy efficiency and the offsetting of carbon emissions from the Wales Office.

 

Peter Ainsworth

East Surrey, Conservative, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment

1 It is the greatest challenge facing our generation.

2 We must start by cutting our own emissions. A Climate Change Bill would help this. We need Government to lead by example, cutting its own energy use, converting to renewable energy sources, and using its enormous buying power to foster non-polluting technologies. Then we need long-term policies to create a framework for a shift to a low carbon economy. Only once we have put our own house in order, will we have the moral authority to lead an international effort to achieve a fair, robust, global system for tackling climate change. In the end, hard though it will be to secure, there must be a global agreement.

3 I have committed to cutting personal carbon emissions by 25% over 5 years; reducing car use, installing energy efficient light bulbs and other low carbon products, avoiding flying, switching off electrical appliances when not in use, converting to a renewable electricity supplier, recycling and composting waste.

 

Danny Alexander

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, LibDem

1 There is no more important concern on a global level. Environmental damage impacts on us down to a local and personal level, and we're at an important juncture at which urgent action is now crucial.

2 I fully support the Lib Dem proposals for green taxes and committing to the Kyoto protocol. We've put forward climate change as one of our biggest policy concerns. Britain can make a huge difference in leading some of the biggest offenders such as the US and China towards significant reform, but the government needs to shake off its complacency and put forward some detailed and committed proposals, as does Mr Cameron. Our green tax policy is well developed and would prove effective in changing behaviour.

3 My constituency includes the Cairngorms national park, which is worried about its skiing industry suffering from the effects of climate change, this would directly impact on the tourist trade in the town of Aviemore, where I live, in terms of employment etc. So it is a constituency more likely to feel the direct effects than some others over the coming years. I have kitted out my new house with energy saving lightbulbs (luckily it's a new house so has double glazing, etc) and just swapped to a more fuel efficient car, which is important as I drive a lot.

In Parliament, I am also in contact with a business in my constituency which manufactures energy saving roof implants for factories and warehouses, and have met with the owners and a Treasury minister to discuss fiscal incentives for the building industry to introduce energy saving measures. There is more on the way – climate change is more of an constant concern which we feel our MPs largely hold dear, and have for years, rather than something (like the Tories for example) to be suddenly embraced when it's good for publicity!

 

Graham Allen

Nottingham North, Labour

1 Environmental issues have often been discussed with an eye to some imagined future- yet it is becoming clear to everyone that climate change is an issue for today. As a father myself, I believe we have a duty to future generations to act now to halt the effects of climate change.

The implications of inaction are growing ever more apparent- with large-scale droughts, flooding and other significant changes to weather patterns showing themselves on a global scale. Issues of climate security, with the possibilities of forced migration, failed crops and worsening living conditions in some of the poorest nations, illustrate the social, economic and political implications which link into this environmental concern.

There is indisputable scientific evidence showing that the effects of climate change will be damaging. I think most people would agree that trying to put off dealing with the issue is a dangerous gamble, and risks the stability the globe. It is therefore vital to start looking for and implementing real, workable answers to the problem that can be enacted at international, national and local levels.

2 Although there are no 'quick-fix' solutions to tackling climate change, Britain has the ability to deliver practical schemes, such as emissions trading schemes and development of bio-energy, at a national and local level. I believe that Government has a significant part to play in tackling climate change. Efforts need to be made to convince industry to be even more responsible about its procedures. Attempts must be made to improve our transport systems and make air travel more environmentally friendly, or place more realistic 'green' prices upon flights. Councils need to be encouraged to bring in planning regulations which relate to new builds, and recycling programmes for household waste created and maintained.

We are also in a position to educate and inform our citizens. With the help of Government, local councils, business and NGOs, we can ensure that all individuals in Britain know the facts about climate change, and feel a sense of responsibility to help in attempts to confront the problem.

With its EU and UN links, Britain is also able to discuss the problems of and solutions to climate change on an international as well as a national level. For example we are able to lobby countries such as Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and Costa Rica on the issue of deforestation and help them develop plans for sustainable forestry. Through our own national strategies and our international links, Britain has the potential to be a world leader in tackling climate change.

3 Over the last couple of years I've been involved in a campaign to turn a local disused brown field site in my constituency – Hoe Wood, Bulwell – into a forested area. The campaign has linked local residents, schools, tenants and residents associations, Nottingham City and Council councils, and local regeneration agencies. Even though it has been a slow process (due to soil tests in the area because of possible contamination), this project has really engaged local people and demonstrates just how willing local communities are to get involved with environmental issues.

As an individual I make sure I set an example by taking small steps to help the environment. I recycle at home and in work (although after diligently doing so for months in the House of Parliament was very troubled when my researcher informed me that they had just witnessed one of the cleaners throwing the paper waste in with all the other rubbish!), and I take the train to my constituency rather than drive to my constituency in Nottingham. I also drive my family mad by following them around the house and switching lights off behind them. These may seem like inconsequential acts, but I really do believe that if everyone did these things that we could make a major impact.

 

David Amess

Southend West, Conservative

1 Climate Change should be one of the most dominant issues in contemporary political debate since it poses the greatest environmental, social and economic threats to our generation and the next.

2 In Britain, both the government and the people can make important positive steps to combat the tragic implications of global warming. It's unjustified to say that there is no point in trying since I make little difference. By recycling more materials, by using energy-saving light bulbs, by reducing car use for short trips; these are crucial contributions to the collective effort to cut carbon emissions. If all of us chip in, the net result would be gigantic. The Government too can lead the way among the world's nations in promoting and implementing effective strategy to cut carbon emissions. A Climate Change Bill would be a positive step. The Conservative party wants Government to convert to renewable energy sources and use its enormous buying power to foster non-polluting technologies. By taking the necessary long-term steps to become a low carbon economy, the UK would have the moral authority to influence global actors into subscribing to an international effort to combat climate change.

3 As part of Energy Saving Week, I have encouraged constituents in Southend West to follow the advice of the Energy Saving Trust and undertake measures to cut their domestic energy usage by 20%. I believe that people should aim to adopt measures that will combat the effects of global warming, including switching off electrical appliances when not in use, converting to a renewable electricity supplier, recycling and composting waste, as well as washing laundry at 30"+C and turning down their thermostat by 1"+C. I am ambitious to make Southend West an environmentally considerate constituency.

 

Dave Anderson

Blaydon, Labour

1 Climate Change is the greatest challenge facing us all. We have no choice other than to wake up and address the problem, even if it may already be too late.

2 We need to ignore all those who say that one country cannot make a difference. Look at incremental changes we can make for example delaying street lighting times, encourage all businesses and public bodies to turn down their heating by 1 degree C. Expand and resource sustainable energy developments. Re-invigorate UK coal industry using clean coal technology. Promote geothermal developments.

3 I sent all households a ten point plan of simple steps to reduce Climate Change along side the Energy Saving Trust. I have agreed to Chair the Public Utilities Reform Group. I have supported positive EDM and supported the Governments overall programme.

 

James Arbuthnot

North East Hampshire, Conservative

1 Climate Change is one of the biggest issues for my constituents in North East Hampshire. My own opinion is that it is more important than any other challenge we face (and that is saying a lot – with nuclear proliferation, international terrorism, pension meltdown and other worries being very strong candidates). I accept and diffidently agree with the Chief Scientist's view.

2 Only with a truly global approach can we make a real difference. It is important, therefore, that Britain takes a strong lead in tackling Climate Change.

We should start by cutting our own emissions and a Climate Change Bill would certainly help achieve this aim. However, we really need long-term policies to create a framework for a shift to a low carbon economy and I am pleased to see more and more people engaging in this debate. But there are many issues for us to consider. How do we cut our own energy use? How do we convert to renewable energy sources, and harness non-polluting technologies? I don't think we yet have all the answers but we have to succeed. I would make it more attractive and convenient for everybody to install solar panels, small wind turbines and insulation in their own properties.

3 I am a keen cyclist and do what I can to reduce my car use – in London I go everywhere by bike – but inevitably with a widely spaced constituency there are times when I need to travel by car. At home we recycle; compost; have installed energy efficient light bulbs, and heating. But there is always more we could do and it is in my own and everyone's interests that we all do it.

 

Charlotte Atkins

Staffordshire Moorlands, Labour

1 Climate change has to be a global as well as a top UK priority.

2 Britain has to lead the way in Europe and internationally on this issue: eg by bringing aviation into the emissions trading scheme and by introducing a tough Climate Change Bill in the Queen's Speech. The Govt has to get us all more committed to taking individual responsibility for climate change otherwise the difficult choices to be made on eg green taxes will be condemned as unworkable or unaffordable. We have much more to do on renewable energy where the UK lags badly behind.

3 On a personal level I am campaigning to bring back a moth- balled railway line back into use taking heavy lorries off the road. I recycle, promote cycling and canals while trying to follow best practice in terms of saving energy wherever I can.

 

Peter Atkinson

Hexham, Conservative

1 Climate change is an important issue, not only for the future of the planet but to the wellbeing of its population. Climate change is having an increasingly important impact on the economy of many developing nations.

2 Britain can take a lead by reducing our own emissions and setting an example to others. We can introduce a Climate Change Bill to set real targets for the reduction in greenhouse gases.

3 My constituency is a large rural one and agriculture still plays an important role in the economy and in the shape of the landscape. Making consumers aware of the high quality local produce is something that I have been campaigning for. Not only does it help sustainable farming, but it reduces the impact of food miles. As for myself, my family is doing what it can to save energy in a number of ways.

 

Ian Austin

Dudley North, Labour

1 As I am sure all of your readers have noted, this summer has been one of the hottest ever. Each of the last five years has been one of the ten hottest on record. I know that my constituents are concerned about climate change. They know the issue is now science fact, not science fiction.

As we have seen over the past years, the scientific evidence for climate change, caused largely by the build-up of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, continues to strengthen. The evidence in front of our eyes also suggests that the impact of the theory is real. According to government statistics, 70% of the global carbon emissions that cause climate change come from the way we consume energy. Without urgent action, there will be a damaging rise in temperature.

2 I will be urging the Government to do all it can to reduce carbon emissions by continuing to deliver on the Kyoto agreement. Thanks to measures like the climate change levy, the UK should achieve twice the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required under Kyoto. Carbon emissions will fall by 7–12 million tonnes by 2010. I think everyone will agree that we need to do more, but I am confident that we are making progress.

But this isn't just an issue for Government- it's something we can all make a difference on. If each of us used just a little less energy it would make a real impact on our carbon emissions.

For instance, the average household is directly responsible for about 10 Tonnes of carbon per year. The energy we as individuals consume – in electricity, gas and transport- makes up almost half (44 per cent) of total emissions. Our decisions have a major impact on the Environment.

3 I have followed the progress of this debate carefully and have regularly spoken to constituents who share our concerns. I have pledged in my constituency of Dudley North to follow the simple steps set out by The Energy Saving Trust to do my part to help cut down on our personal carbon emissions and save energy. I have encouraged my own friends and family to save energy and I have also written to constituents asking them to consider the steps too.

During the summer, I was delighted to have been invited by staff and pupils at a local Primary School in Dudley to the opening of their new wind-turbine. It was a very exciting and innovative event and I am pleased that local kids in Dudley are leading the way in the campaign to stop climate change. This new wind turbine offers the local children of Dudley a real opportunity to learn about science and our responsibility to look after our environment.

During the summer I also visited the 'Eco-Pod' Centre in a neighbouring constituency which boasts an environmentally friendly house and demonstrates a range of alternative technologies aimed at delivering new and cost-efficient energy to local residents.

I think we all have a duty to make the simple, small steps – from turning our TV off rather than leaving it on standby to turning our heating down a couple of degrees. All of these small steps can make a big difference.

Of course, these measures won't stop global warming by themselves; there are bigger steps that need to be taken – like more people using hybrid cars, installing solar panels, wind turbines and having cavity wall insulation. These things take time and money which is why I have been urging the government to help us make these steps in a practical and affordable manner.

 

Norman Baker

Lewes, Lib Dem; Chair, All-Party Environment Group

1 Climate change is a threat greater than any other faced by mankind and is therefore the most important political issue of our time. This means that we need to take urgent action on both the domestic and international stages. Climate change is a reality today, and is already having a huge impact on natural systems across the world, with ice-caps in retreat, coral reef bleaching, the extinction of numerous species, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. In the future, if insufficient action is taken, we face the prospect of catastrophic flooding in some countries alongside ruinous drought and famine in others. This will mean not only terrible human suffering, but economic disaster as well. I very much welcome the recent Stern Review, which may at last make those who somehow believe that the economy and environment are separate matters realize that, rather they are inextricably linked.

If we want to stop the worst impacts of climate change, I believe it is vitally important that the average global temperature increases stay below 2"?C from pre-industrial levels. Unfortunately, however, we are already much of the way there. Avoiding rises in temperature beyond 2"+C will therefore require dramatic and urgent reductions in emissions of greenhouses gases by all industrialised countries.

2 Firstly, Britain needs to lead by example by putting its own house in order. The government has already admitted that the UK is going to miss the target of a 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2010 and figures show that emissions of CO2 have actually been rising year on year. This is quite simply unacceptable.

We therefore need radical and innovative measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, backed up by a timetable of annual, binding targets. We need to make significant changes to the tax system to incorporate green taxes and market mechanisms that discourage environmentally unfriendly behaviour and, in turn, reward sustainable lifestyle choices. In particular we need to make significant progress on reducing emissions from aviation and make far-reaching changes to our energy policy to reduce demand, increase efficiency and develop the use of a wide variety of renewable energy sources.

On the international stage, Britain should use its so-called 'special relationship' with the US to push for action from the world's biggest polluter, and more generally use our international status to promote a new, enforceable international agreement to reduce emissions to a sustainable level based on the so-called principles of contraction and convergence.

3 As I have become more aware of the dangers of climate change, my family and I have made a large number of changes to our lifestyle and consumption patterns over the years in order to reduce our carbon footprint.

At home, we try to recycle as much as possible, and any kitchen or garden waste gets put in our compost bin. We make an effort to shop for food which is locally sourced and in season, thereby cutting food miles to a minimum, and I try to avoid food and other products with excess packaging. We are changing all my lights to energy saving bulbs as they expire, and we also make energy efficiency an important consideration when we buy any new domestic appliances. We have sourced our electricity from a green supplier.

My role as an MP inevitably involves a lot of travelling, but we are now managing with just one car which we try to use a little as possible. Instead, I make the most of public transport always travelling by train between my constituency in Lewes and London and also increasingly around my constituency. If I have to travel within Europe, I can nearly always use the train rather than the plane, but when air travel is inevitable, I offset my carbon emissions.

Over the years, both as the former Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary and current chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Environment group, I have made climate change my top priority, trying to raise awareness among fellow parliamentarians, constituents and members of the public. If all of us make small changes to our habits and lifestyles, then the cumulative effect will actually have a significant impact on our greenhouse gas emissions. We can all do something to help tackle climate change.

 

Tony Baldry

Banbury, Conservative

1 Climate change isn't something that is going to happen – it has begun already. The irreversible changes are occurring in our climate as concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rise. Tackling this problem will require action on an unprecedented scale. It also needs to be remembered that the consequences of Climate Change hit the poorest hardest. Developing countries are particularly vulnerable and lack the capacity and resources to adapt. Poor people are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

In 2001, the International Development Select Committee, which I chaired, produced a report Global Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Developing countries see climate change not as a problem of pollution or how to sustain economic growth, but as a problem of human welfare that threatens survival itself.

The impacts of climate change will not be evenly spread across the globe, and are likely to fall disproportionately on the poor.

Climate change has the potential to increase further the inequality between developed and developing countries.

Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation will place hundreds of millions of people additionally at risk from either hunger, water shortage, coastal flooding, or malaria.

Developing countries have limited financial, human, technological, institutional or national resources, making them less able to respond to the effects of climate change.

2 I think Britain can help by giving a lead in terms of an action which demonstrates an appreciation of how urgent it is to tackle climate change. The difficulty with targets that commit countries to reduce CO2 and other gas emissions by a certain amount by a certain time, is that by the time the target date is reached and the target is missed, substantially more damage has been done, which it is why it is to be hoped that the government will be willing to introduce a Climate Change Bill that would clearly set annual targets for CO2 and other noxious gas emissions.

I think the Government has to recognise that it can affect the behaviour of citizens by a mixture of fiscal and other measures, both carrot and stick, although experience I think demonstrates that carrot is more effective.

3 I am not sure in the face of experience that constituents, or people, necessarily respond to exhortation by Members of Parliament as to how they should lead their lives. Clearly, I think we all need to recognise that the heart of UK's carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy that everyone uses every day at work and when we travel and so all of us by comparatively simple actions can reduce CO2 emissions.

So, for example, I personally have fitted a condensing boiler; I try and ensure the thermostat is set at a sensible level; that there is decent loft insulation, although because of the age of my house, it is not possible to have wall insulation, or double-glazing.

 

Gregory Barker

Bexhill & Battle, Conservative

1 Climate change is the most important challenge that humankind will face this century. Unless we act seriously and with urgency we will be failing in our duty to future generations.

2 Britain can make a difference not just be putting the issue on the international agenda but also by demonstrating success at home. Sadly, CO2 emissions have risen since 1997 and were back up again in the first half of 2006. there are a whole range of measures which the Government must take to promote renewable energy, sustainable housing, and promote low fossil fuel travel. This will necessarily involve a switch to more green taxation and the Conservatives will reverse the trend away from taxing environmental bads seen under Labour.

3 As an individual, I know that there is still more that I can do to reduce my own carbon footprint but within the last twelve months I have swapped my car for an electric hybrid; installed low electricity light bulbs at home; installed solar panels on my roof to heat my domestic hot water and switched my electricity to a sustainable energy provider through npower Juice. Furthermore, we grow vegetables to cut down on carbon emitting food miles a d have made a concerted effort to turn off electric appliances over night. We recycle; reuse; compost and now have a wormery. There is much more I would like to do though and I would very much like to replace our old oil-fired central heating with a ground source heat pump.

Politicians certainly aren't paragons of virtue when it comes to leading the way in taking these measures, but certainly if I can do these things they will be easy steps for others to take too!

 

John Baron

Billericay, Conservative

1 Very important. By not cutting our emissions, we are peering into the unknown – and playing with fire as to the future of our planet. Flooding is increasingly an issue in the UK – the Thames Barrier has been raised at an increasing rate as time has passed. We also have a responsibility to the developing world on this issue.

2 Lead by example by cutting our own emissions – a Climate Change Bill will help this. We can also help to raise the attention this subject receives on the world stage.

3 Help raise people's awareness of this issue and cut down on our own emissions by installing more efficient double glazing, using energy efficient light bulbs, switching off the lights when not in use, recycling and reducing car and plane use.

 

John Barrett

Edinburgh West, LibDem

1 It is the most important long term issue we need to tackle.

2 Britain can reduce its emissions by a combination of energy saving and increasing the development of renewable sources of electricity. Leading by example at national and local level as well as participating in international negotiations to produce agreements with a global impact. Britain should use its special relationship with the USA to highlight their responsibility on this issue.

3 I have changed my car to a more fuel efficient model, using one third less fuel. Decided not to fly abroad on holiday this year (had a holiday in England instead). Convinced my landlord to change the heating system in my constituency office to reduce its energy use by approximately 40%. Increased recycling in the office and at home. Plan to provide energy saving advice to constituents.

 

Hugh Bayley

City of York, Labour

1 Climate Change is an issue of enormous importance. The UK was right to make it one of the key issues at last year's G8. 

2 We must meet our Kyoto commitment and our own national emissions targets. We can't expect others to change if we fail to reduce our emissions.

3 As an individual I cycle in London and York. I helped draft the International Development Committee's report on Climate Change which went to the Rio +10 summit in Johannesburg and prompted changes in UK government policy.

But have I done enough? No.

 

Alan Beith

Berwick-upon-Tweed, LibDem

1 Climate change is one of the three most important global issues now facing us.

2 Britain has a key role to play both in reducing its own contribution to climate change and in taking a lead in international efforts to secure commitment to environment-friendly policies.

3 My personal commitments, already carried out, include: changing home heating to a condensing boiler and reducing temperature; additional home insulation and greater use of low-energy light bulbs; waste recycling, including composting; refusing unnecessary packaging; minimising car use, making almost all long distance journeys, and many short journeys by train, and using a more fuel-efficient car; considering domestic micro-power installation.

 

 

Richard Benyon

Newbury, Conservative

1 Climate Change is the defining issue of our age. Previous generations had to deal with the rise of Nazism or communism. This is the issue on which my generation of politicians will be judged. This is our Dunkirk.

2 Clearly set out accountable targets for reduction in carbon emissions. A better acceptance of market mechanisms as a means of tackling climate change. So much relies on the attitude or actions of the United States Government. The British Government must challenge the Bush administration and it's successor on this vital issue.

3 I am getting a grip on my own carbon footprint. I have sponsored a showing of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth for all Councillors, local politicians, business leaders, church leaders, voluntary sector leaders and schools in my constituency. I have encouraged my local council with it's Cleaner Greener West Berkshire campaign.

 

John Bercow

Buckingham, Conservative

1 Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing the world today. It is vital that, in conjunction with out international partners, we take concrete steps to address climate change. The publication of the Stern Report has highlighted the fact that climate change is not simply an environmental issue, it will have social and economic ramifications. Given my interest in