Archived press release

James Blunt urges action on climate change as he brings Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign to the Waterfront

22 January 2008

James Blunt will be calling for urgent Government action on climate change when he performs at the Waterfront Hall on Monday 28 January 2008. The singer-songwriter is the latest celebrity to sign up to Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign, which is calling for a stronger climate change law to be passed through Parliament [1].

James has invited members of Friends of the Earth groups throughout Northern Ireland to get the message out to fans attending his Belfast gig. Fans will have the opportunity to sign up to the Big Ask and put pressure on their local MPs and the Westminster Government to support a tougher climate change law.

The environmental charity is asking the Government to commit the UK to a three per cent annual cut in carbon dioxide emissions and wants the proposed law to be strengthened to include the UK's share of international emissions from aviation and shipping. A strong climate change law will persuade the Government to introduce policies to make it easier for us all - individuals and business - to be climate friendly.

James said: "Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign is the best way to force the Government into a stronger climate change law".

Niall Bakewell, Activism Co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth added:

"The Climate Change Bill gives us a unique chance to stop climate change from getting worse. We're hoping James' Northern Ireland fans will join the Big Ask shout-out to MPs to do everything they can to make sure it's strong enough. It's fantastic to think the UK could be the first country to have a climate change law but it would be crazy if it is too weak to work - it's got to be tougher and we have to take action now."

The star has already recorded a video for Friends of the Earth's online march [2], which can be viewed at www.thebigask.com, and is taking Friends of the Earth on his UK tour of nine UK cities throughout January, with the aim of telling a further 60,000 people how they can take climate action through The Big Ask campaign.

Notes

(back) [1] Further information about The Big Ask.

Last year 412 MPs (almost two thirds of all MPs) signed Early Day Motion 178 calling for new climate change legislation "so that annual cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of three per cent can be delivered". As a result, the government announced a Climate Change Bill in the Queen's Speech in November 2006 and published the first draft on 13 March 2007.

Through The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth has successfully led the campaign for the UK Climate Change Bill, which will be the first national legislation anywhere in the world to set legally-binding targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

But the environmental charity is urging the Government to make it even stronger, to ensure that Britain plays a leading role in developing a low-carbon future.

Specific changes needed are:

• Bigger cuts: The Government proposes 60% cuts of carbon dioxide by 2050. There is wide scientific recognition there needs to be reductions of at least 80% by 2050.
• Annual targets: The Government wants five-year milestones for reducing carbon dioxide. We want shorter, annual targets - to hold the current and future Parliaments to account.
• Aviation and shipping: International flights and shipping emissions are excluded. We need these to be included as they are the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions.

The cuts in carbon dioxide emissions proposed by the Bill need to ensure the UK plays its part in keeping global temperatures from rising two degrees above pre industrial levels - the temperature rise recognised by the EU as a 'danger level' we should not breach.

Further info at: www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate or www.thebigask.com

(back) [2] Online March

Friends of the Earth's Big Ask online march is an online version of a traditional demo. It's a way for people to contact their MP face-to-face to demand action on climate change without having to leave their front room.  By filming and uploading a short video clip to www.thebigask.com, people will be joining thousands of others who are calling for action on climate change. Clips will join the site and will also be sent direct to the marcher's MP.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: [email protected]

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust