SIR – At the recent meeting of Worcestershire County Council the Liberal Democrats urged the council to sign up to the 10:10 Campaign. This national campaign urges people and organisations to cut their carbon emissions by 10 per cent by the end of 2010.

A report from the New Economics Foundation gives the stark warning that from the end of September this year we are running into ecological debt. For the rest of this year the world is consuming the earth’s resources faster than they can be replaced. In Britain we are using three times the world average! We can’t justify our consumption and emissions patterns to future generations, so it is disappointing that the Conservative majority on the council refused even to debate this critical issue.

We each need to take responsibility and start action now at local level.

We call on the county council to lead by example, to sign up to this campaign and in turn help its suppliers to do all they can to sign up and reduce their carbon emissions. Small changes made by individuals and organisations when put together can deliver big results. I urge all residents in Worcestershire to sign up to this campaign by visiting 1010uk.org where they can pledge to cut their carbon emissions either as an individual, business or organisation.

Liz Tucker,
Leader of the Liberal Democrat group
Worcestershire County Council.