Archived press release

30,000 People Tell Prescott to Take Lead at Kyoto

3 December 1997

On the eve of John Prescott's departure for the Climate Summit in Kyoto, Friends of the Earth will be delivering 30,000 letters from the UK public urging the UK government to take the lead at the climate change negotiations. [1] The letters ask Mr Blair to put pressure on the United States, considered the main obstacle to progress at the Summit, to agree to a legally-binding target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Opinion polls around the world continue to show massive public support for action to combat global climate change. A recent survey in the US showed the majority of American people are willing to pay more for their petrol to cut greenhouse gases [2]. In Australia, two recent polls show support for emissions reductions, demonstrating that the Australian government is out of step with public opinion [3]. Australian officials at the Summit are proposing that Australia be allowed to increase its emissions.

The letters being delivered by Friends of the Earth today on behalf of UK citizens call for a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2005 - a target being proposed by small island nations threatened by rising sea levels . They also urge the government to increase the derisory 2% of electricity generated from clean, renewable sources in the UK and create jobs through investment in energy efficiency.

Anna Stanford of Friends of the Earth said:

“Ordinary people are concerned about climate change and want politicans to act. John Prescott can go to Kyoto knowing that he has the backing of the British public for the UK to take the lead at the negotiations and put pressure on the United States to sign up to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. This is the best hope of ending the stalemate and producing an agreement that will avoid climate crisis.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Ministers are attending the second half of the UN Climate Summit in Kyoto, from 6-10th December.

[2] Pew Research Center On the People & the Press, conducted 12-16 November1997 - 73% said they would pay 5 cents a gallon more for gasoline and 60% as much as 25 cents more, to address global warming.

[3] AC Nielsen-McNair for Greenpeace Australia, conducted 22-23 November 1997 - 76%of Australians disagree with their government's position and 67% believe Australia should be taking more action on global warming. KPMG and Australian Institute of Company Directors - 69% in favour of the establishment of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for Australia.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust