CARBON EMISSIONS IN HEREFORDSHIRE UNSUSTAINABLE - KEETCH

2.00.00pm GMT Tue 31st Oct 2006

Dramatic new figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats show that Herefordshire is producing 2.2 per cent more than the national average of the gases that cause climate change.

As part of the Liberal Democrat campaign for a green tax switch - taxing pollution not people - Paul Keetch has obtained figures showing the carbon emissions per head of population in the county, and how this compares to the national and global averages.

Mr Keetch said:

"With a population of 176 900, Herefordshire is emitting 1 678 500 tonnes of carbon each year on the latest official figures. This puts us at 9.5 tonnes of carbon per person per year compared with a national average for the UK of 9.3 tonnes per person.

"The global average is around 2.5 tonnes of carbon per person per year, which means the average person in Herefordshire is generating more than three times as much as the average global inhabitant.

"We just can't keep on consuming and polluting at this rate. Carbon emissions are the key problem causing global warming. All of us need to try far harder to meet the national target of a 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 to which all major political parties have agreed.

"Through simple things like turning down the thermostat, using energy saving light bulbs and not leaving appliances on standby we can all help to save the environment and cut our energy bills. I urge everybody to make at least one commitment to energy saving today.

"All the main political parties now agree that we have to tackle climate change, but only the Liberal Democrats have put forward firm plans to help us change our behaviour through tax incentives."

The Liberal Democrats Green Tax Switch offers practical advice on how to make simple lifestyle changes that will not only help to save the planet, but will also save the people of Herefordshire money. For further information visit www.greentaxswitch.com