last updated 8th September 05
By 4ecotips

Addressing biggest question facing world

A British environmental group has launched a campaign to promote renewable energy and lower carbon emissions among government.

The 'Big Ask' campaign is run by Friends of the Earth to address "the biggest question the world faces - how do we stop dangerous climate change?" It says 70% of people in Britain think government should be doing a lot more, and it encourages greater pressure on politicians to tackle "the big question."

The campaign urges politicians to put climate change at the top of their agenda for the next five years. Although political parties all promise to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050, emissions are rising and FOE says a legal framework is needed immediately to require reductions of 3% per year to make every government move towards the 2050 targets.

"It is possible to make a difference; the problem is huge but we know the cause and solutions in the form of cleaner industries and technologies are fast arriving," it notes. "Windfarms are replacing older power stations. We need to clean up our use of dirty fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy, and we should reduce our energy needs through energy efficiency."

"The UK is in a powerful position to show leadership and stimulate international action on climate change because it is one of the richest and most powerful nations in the world," explains the campaign manifesto. "Climate justice is about taking into account each country's historical contribution to climate change, their capacity to act and their stated commitment to sustainable development."

Government can "make fossil fuel companies switch to renewable fuels" and force energy companies to focus on saving energy rather than making money by selling more energy, and it can invest in alternative transport options, plan for more energy efficient homes, introduce new laws and taxes to encourage cleaner technologies, clean up dirty power stations and force car manufacturers to make more efficient cars, it suggests.

Future low carbon solutions may include renewable heat, renewable transport fuels, greener cars, green public transport, cleaner, more efficient fossil power.