Chorley MP tables motion on US climate change

11:49am Friday 16th May 2008

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Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle has tabled a Commons Motion urging the United States government to tackle climate change.

It comes as the US governement have recognised that polar bears are endangered as a result of melting Artic sea ice caused by global warming.

But the Labour MP said he is baffled that the same government still intends to do nothing about climate change.

Mr Hoyle said: "Climate change is one of the biggest and most difficult challenges facing people throughout the world today.

"I receive numerous letters from constituents expressing their concern about the environment and the need for our government to take action to combat global warming.

"This is also a very important issue amongst young people and I always receive questions about climate change when I go into schools.

"I believe that our government is taking action.

"Through the Climate Change Bill we will now be the first country to have legally binding targets on reductions in carbon emissions.

"Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the United States.

"Twenty five per cent of the world's carbon emissions come from the US yet we see no measures to combat this problem.

"The threat to the world's polar bear population is just one significant problem associated with global warming.

"While the US government acknowledges the fact that they are endangered they refuse to get to grips with the route cause of climate change.

"If we are to reduce global carbon emissions the US has to lead the way.

"Hopefully, following the presidential elections in November, we will see a new direction when dealing with the environment."