Richard Burt Speaks At Brighton Conference

6.00.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Sep 2006

West Worcestershire's Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, delivered an impassioned speech at his Party's Annual Conference in Brighton in support of new 'Green Tax Switch' plans approved by conference today [Tuesday 19 September].

Richard Burt said: "Carbon levels in the atmosphere are going through the roof after a thousand years of relative stability, causing climate chaos and ever rising temperatures.

"It's been like St Tropez in Brighton this week, but sub-Saharan Africa will be uninhabitable and many of our coastal cities will be under water within 30 years if we do not take determined action now.

"Taxing gas guzzling cars so that people buy smaller, more energy efficient models; taxing planes rather than passengers so that fewer planes travel half full; and index-linking the Climate Change Levy will all help change people's habits by raising the price of pollution.

"If we do not pollute less, we are heading for global climate chaos on an unprecedented scale."

Richard also attended a 'Climate Change Gym' in Brighton and agreed to a low carbon workout. "There is so much we can all do in our homes and by changing our lifestyles to start to row back on carbon emissions. I was amazed just how much carbon could be saved by buying fresh local foods and cutting down on food miles" said Richard.

"l have already launched an environmental challenge on my website, www.richardburt.org and would encourage as many as possible to make pledges to cut down their own carbon footprint."