Green MEP Jean Lambert cites the recent flooding in the UK as evidence of global warming and re-iterates the importance of staying in the EU in fighting against climate change.
Jean Lambert calls for radical change to avoid events like the flooding this year becoming
more frequent. Photograph courtesy of Bob Bowyer.
London Green Party MEP Jean Lambert is to host a topical debate on the future of the UK’s relationship with EU.
Ms Lambert will chair the event, which has been co-organised by think-tank Greenhouse and the Green European Foundation to examine how to make the EU a force for sustainability, on Friday at the London offices of the European Parliament in Westminster.
The debate, entitled, ‘Greening the EU – is it possible?’ will also see the launch of a controversial new report by University of Surrey Professor of EU Politics Alex Warleigh-Lack – ‘Greening the European Union’ – in which he argues that the EU is about more than simply free trade and can help promote a transition to a ‘greener’ Europe.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Ms Lambert said: “With much of the South of England under water – and much of London itself only escaping floods thanks to the regular usage of the Thames Flood barrier – we are seeing the effects of climate change in the UK more than ever before.
“If we are to prevent this level of devastation becoming a new norm we must take immediate – and radical – steps to tackle climate change: and that means reaching agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions internationally.
“The EU has a major role to play in leading the way, and brokering a wider global deal. We need this to be a clear priority for the EU rather than the single market.”