The Green Party warned today that arctic and global sea ice are close to record lows, threatening drastic and expensive consequences for Britain and the rest of the world if not addressed.
The Green Party is calling on the UK government to look at the current data and take action without delay. Despite overwhelming data indicating the imminence of human consequences due to climate change, the UK remains unprepared and the government continues to drag its feet.
The last five recorded September sea ice measures have been the five largest melts since 1979, indicating the ice’s dramatic decline in volume. Scientists are concerned this decline means the summer arctic ice will collapse within decades.
The Green Party advocates the establishment of a global annual emissions level to limit climate change, as well as working with other governments to achieve this target level of emissions. We have the opportunity now to transition to a low-carbon economy, which can create jobs as it addresses the problems associated with climate change.
James Abbott, Green Party Science and Technology Spokesperson, said
"Unless governments address the looming climate crisis, future generations will face many challenges, not least the serious consequences of major sea level rise.
"Right around Britain there are towns and cities built near the sea or on low lying land, including London. It will be hugely expensive, and in places probably not possible, to defend against sea level rise of many metres."
The Green Party has long campaigned for government action on climate change, and continues to urge that the sooner action is taken, the simpler, cheaper and more effective it will be.