13 March 2007 - Green MEP Caroline Lucas today called on the Government to support both domestic tourism and marine renewable energy to stem the economic decline of coastal towns and help fight climate change.

She made her comments in response to a report on coastal towns released by the House of Commons select committee on Communities and Local Government, which blamed coastal decline on outward migration of young people due to a shortage of job opportunities.

Dr Lucas, whose South East England constituency includes many coastal towns with pockets of deprivation, said:

“It is time for some joined up government on this issue.

“Britain has the best marine renewable energy potential in Europe, MPs have highlighted the economic decline of our coastal towns and Tony Blair has called climate change a greater threat than terrorism.

“The answer is obvious – stop promoting expansion of the aviation industry and instead encourage and promote domestic tourism whilst at the same time provide the correct legislative environment and financial support to create jobs in the marine renewables industry.”

ENDS