Press Release
For: 5th April 2008
Local Group and Sarah Teather MP urge Gordon Brown to stop ignoring aviation
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY A larger than life Gordon Brown covers his eyes while playing with an aeroplane - hoping aviation emissions will just go away, with MP Sarah Teather and members of Brent Friends of the Earth. When: Friday 4th April, Willesden Green tube, 11am.
Brent Friends of the Earth and local MP Sarah Teather urge Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stop ignoring aviation today (Saturday 5 April). The group wants the Government’s new Climate Change Law to cover all sources of carbon dioxide emissions, including the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Sarah Teather MP for Brent East will have the opportunity to vote on the law when it is debated in Parliament later this month.
Brent Friends of the Earth is taking action as part of a national day of action in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth’s campaign for a strong Climate Change law. The group will be asking Brent residents to support them by signing airplane-shaped postcards to send to their MPs. Residents will also have an opportunity to pose with ‘Gordon Brown’ for a photo message to their own MP about aviation and climate change on Saturday 5th from 11am to 1pm at Kilburn Square, Kilburn High Road.
Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a strong Climate Change law through The Big Ask. The law, which is set to be introduced this summer, is groundbreaking but needs strengthening if the UK is to play its part in tackling climate change.
The Government’s proposed law does not count the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Friends of the Earth believes it’s ludicrous to pretend these emissions don’t exist, and unfair to treat aviation and shipping any differently to other sectors of the economy. The Government already publishes figures on aviation emissions and there is no practical reason why they can not be included from the outset. A way of including shipping emissions should be worked out as a matter of urgency.
Aviation is a fast growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions [1]. The impact of aviation emissions is double that of carbon dioxide alone because of other gases that planes pump out at altitude [2]
The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth’s climate campaign is calling on all Brent MPs to vote for a strong climate change law that:
•Includes the UK’s share of emissions from international shipping and aviation
•Commits the UK to cutting its emissions by 80 per cent by 2050
•Ensures steady progress by cutting emissions by at least 3 per cent a year
Brent Friends of the Earth Co-ordinator and local resident Stefanie Schmiedel said:
“It’s crazy for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions from planes and ships from the new Climate Change Law but that’s what he is doing. Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry? We hope all our local MPs will use their vote to call for a strong Climate Change law that covers all emissions.”
MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:
“Climate change is the biggest threat facing our world today. Hundreds of my constituents have told me they are worried about climate change and want to see the government take firm action. That is why I will be voting for a strong Climate Change Law which commits the UK to cutting its emissions by at least three percent annually and which covers all emissions - including the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping.”
Friends of the Earth’s Day of Action on Saturday 5 April will be one of many inspiring events taking place during the Climate Change Bill Week of Action coordinated by Stop Climate Chaos/I Count from 30 March to 5 April demanding a tough Climate Change law.
END
NOTES TO EDITOR
For more information about the photo opportunity and to arrange interviews contact: Viv Stein, Press Officer, Brent FoE
[1] Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions. www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics
[2] Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2002). The Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight (see www.rcep.org.uk/aviation.html).