Is PM blind to airlines’ effect?

3:44pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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Croydon Friends of the Earth held a demonstration outside the offices of Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks in a bid to raise awareness of a looming environmental crisis.

They targeted Mr Wicks' base in Thornton Heath as he is also Government minister for energy.

“Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry?"

Friends of the Earth supporter

The group donned blindfolded masks of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and flew model aeroplanes to highlight the severe impact air travel has on the environment and to try and put pressure on the Government to act against aviation.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Chris Sciberras said: "We were very pleased with the turnout. It was one of the largest meetings Croydon FoE has had and we're very thankful to Councillors Gavin Barwell and Steve O'Connell for turning up to support us."

Government figures published in January showed that aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of the UK's total carbon emissions.

Campaigners, lobbying for international aviation to be included in the climate change bill, teamed up with Croydon councillors and Shasha Khan from Croydon's Green Party to combat climate change.

A Croydon Friends of the Earth supporter and local resident said: "It's crazy for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions from planes and ships from the new climate change law but that's what he is doing.

"Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry?

"We hope our MP, Malcolm Wicks, will use his vote to call for a strong climate change law that covers all emissions."

Coun O'Connell said: "I am very happy to support campaigners for environmental issues.

"It is ludicrous that any bill to improve our environment would let the aviation industry off the hook just to keep its shareholders happy."