Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has urged continued action on climate change after raising the issue with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband during questions in the House of Commons. He said communities including Rochdale are already experiencing the effects of more frequent extreme weather.
During Energy and Climate Change questions, Mr Waugh referred to Chris Packham’s National Emergency Briefing, which he watched at a community screening held at Vintage Worx Community Park and Gardens in Rochdale.
The event brought together local residents to discuss the risks linked to climate change and possible responses.
Addressing Parliament, Mr Waugh said, “One of the most chilling lines in that entire documentary was that today’s extreme weather is going to be the coolest and most stable weather we’re going to experience in the rest of this century. In other words, the recent extreme heatwaves, floods and wildfires are going to get much, much worse without real action.”
He asked the Energy Secretary whether he agreed that, while the Labour Government had made progress during its first two years in office, further action was needed to protect people’s health, the economy and national security from the effects of climate change.
Mr Miliband agreed, describing climate change as “an emergency”. He highlighted the growing impact of extreme weather on transport, education and health services and referred to UK Health Security Agency figures estimating that 1,504 people in England died from heat related causes last summer.
Following the Commons exchange, Mr Waugh said climate change was already affecting communities across the country.
He said, “Climate change is not a distant threat. It is happening now, and communities like Rochdale are already feeling its effects through more frequent heatwaves, flooding and extreme weather.
“I was pleased to attend the community screening of the National Emergency Briefing because it brought people together to understand both the scale of the challenge and the practical solutions available.
“The Labour Government has already made major strides by accelerating clean energy, investing in green industries and putting climate action back at the heart of government. But this is an emergency and we cannot afford to be complacent.
“Climate action is about protecting lives, creating good jobs, strengthening our energy security and leaving a safer, healthier country for future generations. I will continue working both in Parliament and here in Rochdale to support the action needed to meet that challenge.”
Mr Waugh said he would continue supporting measures to accelerate the transition to clean energy, improve energy security and reduce carbon emissions while seeking to ensure Rochdale benefits from investment and employment opportunities linked to the move towards greener industries.
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