Reacting to President Obama’s speech on climate change today, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“This significant speech by Barack Obama could signal an important breakthrough in the battle to slash global carbon emissions.

"However, the small but welcome steps taken forward today must be turned into giant strides if the United States is to play its part in tackling the threat of catastrophic climate change.

 "This speech also shines the spotlight on David Cameron, who has said and done little on this issue - despite using it to help get him elected.

"Since then he’s encouraged a headlong dash for gas, while doing nothing to censure growing anti-science, climate scepticism in his Cabinet.”

ENDS