Reacting to today’s report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“Scientists are now as convinced that humans are causing climate disruption as they are that smoking causes cancer - politicians can’t continue to stand idly by while the world goes spinning towards climate catastrophe.

“Tough action is urgently needed to end the planet’s dangerous fossil fuel fixation and to develop the huge job-creating potential of renewable power – with developed nations like Britain taking the lead.
 
“The Coalition Government must seize the initiative, starting with a 2030 decarbonisation target for the power sector.
 
“Faced with overwhelming scientific evidence, supported by the public, there is no excuse for failing to act on climate change.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report, setting out a clear view of the current state of scientific knowledge on climate change, was published today.
2. Podcast by leading UK climate scientist, Professor Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research - recorded ahead publication of the IPCC report - on the science of climate change.
3. Friends of the Earth has joined with international groups to organise a global month of action on energy. From 11 October to 11 November people around the world will be calling for: A global ban on all new dirty energy projects (such as fracking); An end to tax-payer hand outs to dirty energy companies; Support to be redirected to community and decentralised energy systems.