I believe that climate change is an extremely grave threat to people across the planet.
There is compelling evidence that we are going through a significant period of global warming - the warmest 10 years on record have all occurred since 1997 and the reach of Arctic sea ice has shrunk by about 10% every 10 years since the late 70s. Global sea levels are already rising, droughts are more common and the overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that increases in carbon emissions are a significant factor in these changes.
This is why I have consistently supported measures in Parliament to tackle climate change and voted for the strengthening of targets that the Labour government has introduced during its time in office between 1997 and 2010.
The UK can and should lead by example as part of a drive towards robust international agreements to reduce carbon emissions. Any agreements need to give clear and stretching targets, while ensuring that we keep major carbon producers such as China and Russia on board. In order to be effective, cuts need to be sustainable and secure global participation.
While tackling carbon emissions will no doubt be challenging, there is also a huge opportunity. As we all know, the UK is a windy island and we developed have many world-leading technologies, so we are ideally positioned to become global leaders in industries such as offshore wind power. If we take a lead, there are real economic benefits to be won.
I am determined to make the case for tough, practical measures to tackle climate change.
