19th September 2006

New analysis has shown that there is an 84% probability that the rise in sea surface temperature, which caused a spate of unusually strong hurricanes in recent years such as Katrina, is due to human activity and that the current trend is set to continue (i).

Photo of Katrina: What a waste - Copyrighted photo reprinted here with permission of Seattle-based photographer Chris Jordan. See more photos of Katrina.

Cllr Philip Booth, a spokesperson for Stroud District Green party, said today: “This research represents yet more evidence for what the Green Party has been arguing all along. This Government can no longer pretend that its complete disregard for environmental issues is not having a profound effect on the climate. Tony Blair has refused to put pressure on the Bush Administration, which has rejected the Kyoto Protocol and continues to put corporate profit before the environment. Britain is also set to fall woefully short of its targets on greenhouse gas emissions by 2010."

Philip Booth added: "The Green Party believes that only when we put sustainable living and so the environment at the centre of decision making in all areas of government, can we tackle the increasing effects of climate change. Our Government's 'tinkering round the edges' and use of environmental rhetoric is falling well short of this challenge."


Notes:

(i) See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5335362.stm