Commenting on news today (Thursday 3 January 2012) from the Met Office that last year was the UK’s second wettest on record, Friends of the Earth Head of Policy, Mike Childs said:
 
“Make no mistake, climate change is already having a major impact on Britain.
 
“Four of the five wettest years in the UK have occurred since 2000, and experts including the Met Office expect extreme weather events such as intense rainfall, to become more common as global warming takes hold.
 
“So far the world has warmed by an average 0.7 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels - if temperatures rise by the four degrees scientists widely predict then we can only begin to imagine the impacts on our lives and livelihoods.
 
“But there is still time to tackle climate change. We must end our dependency on dirty fossil fuels and reap the benefits of energy efficiency and developing clean power from the wind, waves and sun.”
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors:

1.    Met Office confirms 2012 was the second wettest on record.

2.    Friends of the Earth's Clean British Energy campaign, backed by Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal - causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85 per cent of people want the Government to back UK renewable power instead. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs.

For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further itnformation visit www.foe.co.uk