Rising carbon dioxide levels show need for green taxes

6.29.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Sep 2006

Using energy saving light bulbs is just one method of tackling an increase in CO2 emmissions

Commenting on the ice core study that shows carbon dioxide levels higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years Andrew Simpson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Northampton North, said:

"Recent scientific findings are increasingly worrying. We need to act quickly if we are to stabilise carbon dioxide at even double its pre-industrial level.

"It is time to start talking about how to limit fossil fuel use through tax-driven changes of behaviour. We need green taxes offset by income tax cuts, not higher taxes overall.

Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, commented on the news saying: "Nine of the hottest ten years on record have been since 1990. In Britain alone, we have suffered two floods in 2002 that were meant to occur only once every 30 years. We have had the wettest six months since records began, and the hottest summer temperatures in 2003. Storm surges, flood damage and droughts are rising. The Thames barrier has been raised 55 times in the last five years, compared with 12 times in the previous five."

To find out more about Lib Dem policy on climate change go to: www.libdems.org.uk/environment