04 December 2009 - Green Party leader and Euro-MP will join ‘Wave’ rally to call for strong commitment to an ambitious climate deal at Copenhagen

Leading Green politician and campaigner Caroline Lucas will make an impassioned plea for a successful outcome at Copenhagen in a speech to a climate change rally in London tomorrow (5 December).

Caroline Lucas MEP will speak at the Campaign Against Climate Change rally at Speakers Corner, Hyde Park at around 1pm, before joining the landmark ‘Wave’ demonstration, organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, at Grosvenor Square at around 2pm.

The ‘Wave’ march is due to go via Berkeley Square, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square – with demonstrators dressed in blue to encircle the Houses of Parliament at 3pm to demand a fair international deal to stop global warming exceeding the critical threshold of 2°C.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s demonstration, which could be the biggest of its kind ever seen in the UK, Lucas said:

“It’s more crucial than ever that people mobilise and coordinate against the forces wreaking environmental and economic havoc on our planet. This rally will send a clear message to governments that people across the world expect action on climate change before it’s too late.

"Politicians have pretended that they have the problem under control; that a few low energy light bulbs and a bit of lagging on your loft will be enough to solve the climate crisis.

“No wonder people are confused about climate change – the greatest threat this country faces, and the Government is simply telling us to change our light bulbs and turn our washing down to 30 degrees, instead of making the radical changes necessary to decarbonise our society. Of course there’s a role for individual action. But it’s for governments to take the lead.”

Lucas continued: “Despite downplayed expectations, the Copenhagen summit next week is still a real opportunity for governments to unite against carbon pollution in a spirit of co-operation - and build the foundations of a new global deal.

“For Copenhagen to be judged anything close to a success, we need to see a commitment to tough binding targets, funding for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, and a real culture shift within governments to enable a massive clean energy revolution.

“Politicians attending the Copenhagen summit must ensure that it fulfils its potential to produce positive results and provide the road map we need towards a more sustainable future. Empty smiles and handshakes for the cameras will not be enough.”

ENDS