Online march to lobby MPs on climate change
Wednesday, 04 Jul 2007 08:21
Celebrities backing the campaign want less carbon emissions in the UK
A new campaign calling on MPs to back new commitments towards cutting climate change emissions in the UK is being launched today.
Environmental group Friends of the Earth's (FoE) Big Ask online march is calling on the "YouTube generation" to record themselves asking their local MP to act on climate change.
It wants people to use their camera or mobile phone to record a brief clip of themselves asking that new legislation be introduced to force companies to cut emissions on a step-by-step basis.
According to a GfK Nop survey published in conjunction with the campaign's launch, two-thirds of Britons want the UK government to enforce a lowering of carbon emissions in Britain every year.
By compiling all contributions on a specific website FoE hopes to ensure that the government's planned climate change bill is sufficiently strong to contribute to real change.
"Friends of the Earth's online march is a unique and fun way for people to call for action on climate change," FoE director Tony Juniper said.
"We hope that thousands of people will join us to ensure that the new climate law is tough and effective, inspiring the world to see what is possible in cutting emissions while still enjoying comfortable lifestyles."
The march has attracted the support of a number of celebrities, including Hollywood star Jude Law, singers James Blunt, Johnny Borrell of Razorlight and KT Tunstall and actresses Helen Baxendale and Gillian Anderson.
The Razorlight frontman said: "It's absolutely crucial to make your voice heard by the elected government of this country… [by] telling your MP that you care and that you want them to do everything they can to reduce carbon emissions."