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Asks
why tougher policies
are not being followed
to tackle climate
change and presents
the arguments for
the first time from
the perspective of
an elected politician.
Colin Challen MP condemns
the inability of political
parties to form a
consensus around a
meaningful response
and suggests ways
forward. He believes
that action will need
to be bottom-up as
well as top-down but
fears catastrophe
may play a role in
shifting policies
to a level adequate
to the task. He warns
against 'displacement'
activities, such as
building a new fleet
of nuclear power stations,
and calls for a massive
expansion of renewable
energy as well as
personal carbon allowances.
Colin Challen is that
rare animal: a brave,
intelligent, parliamentarian
who seeks no patronage.
It takes courage to
challenge your own
government, let alone
point out to the public,
during a recession
(!), the steps individuals
must take if climate
change catastrophe
is to be avoided.
This, however, is
what he does in his
book which Picnic
publishes with pride.
Given his challenge
to Government, I suspect
Prime Minister Gordon
Brown may rue the
day he remarked in
the House of Commons
of Colin: 'I know
that my hon. Friend
is an expert on these
matters'. Yes, Colin
is. This is why what
he says must be taken
seriously. Tony Blair,
when Prime Minister,
also recognised Colin's
tireless efforts:
'I thank my hon.Friend
for all the work that
he has done in relation
to climate change.'
Colin does not want
thanks but action.
Before it is too late
. . .
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