Climate changes

The US Climate Change Bill was earlier this year blocked in Congress and even if it had passed, President George W. Bush had pledged to veto the bill. Hopes therefore lie in the change of President for the introduction of a new Bill along with many other hopes riding on the changes anticipated by the American Democrats.

The main target of the UK Bill is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action. This Bill has had a long passage and its final form has had influence from several directions. As a result of campaigning from Liberal Democrats and others, including the public 'Big Ask' campaign, the Bill now includes provisions for aviation and shipping emissions to be included and an amendment to strengthen the total emissions target from 60% to 80% by 2050

As you would expect the Bill contains a great deal of technical matter. However among its provisions, in order to reach its target, is one that the Parliamentary estate be more energy efficient. This should also apply to all public and private buildings, not least our own homes. Our search to make economies in the current recession can start with questioning our way of life '¦'¦'¦'¦whether or not we make a car journey, or turn up the heating a degree or two'¦ and the benefits will not only be financial but a contribution to demands on energy resources and a reduction in our own carbon footprint.

Further measures to tackle waste reduction and the charging for single use carrier bags are also included. Again we can help with a measure of personal responsibility. I am pleased to see the large number of people who now do their shopping equipped with a reusable shopping bag and the ease with which shop assistants ask whether you need a bag and the number of no responses they get. I really do look forward to not seeing plastic carrier bags hung up in trees along the roadside now that the leaves are falling off.

Finally I hope the measures will make Local Authorities more efficient with their recycling schemes and stem the ongoing complaints about non-collection of household waste.