Press Release

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A coalition of environmental and development groups will be challenging prospective MPs from across the political spectrum on some of the most serious issues facing the world today.

The Environmental Question Time will be held at St Martin’s in the Bull Ring, 6pm for 7pm, on Tuesday 20^th March.

The event will be chaired by Professor Chris Baines, independent environmental campaigner, broadcaster and writer.

A broad collection of environmental and world development groups will be represented at the event, consisting of the following:

Friends of the Earth, WWF, Oxfam, Drop the Debt, Transport 2000, World Development Movement, Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), RSPB, Greenpeace, the Wildlife Trust, and People and Planet.

They are hoping that the prospective MPs will take into serious consideration such issues as:

• Tackling climate change with cuts in carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels, and more investment in renewable resources such as wind and wave power to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels

• Promoting sustainability through elimination of debt and assistance for local economic development in the developing world

• Creating a more sustainable rural environment, with organic farming playing a greater role in the rural economy
• Controlling toxic chemicals

Brett Rehling of Friends of the Earth said " it is important that prospective parliamentary candidates from all the political parties are challenged to make a real commitment to the environment. It will be fascinating to see how our panel of prospective parliamentary candidates respond to our main concerns and some of the burning questions we have to ask them."

Tracey Fletcher of WWF said: "Environmental problems do not respect national boundaries. It is therefore crucial that the new government is a strong leader on the global stage in order to create a better environment for all"

Gerald Kells of CPRE said "We are looking for politicians in the next government who will champion the environment and countryside in the West Midlands and make it a place everyone can be proud of."