THE former Conservative environment minister, when in office, farcically claimed irreplaceable ancient woodland could be replaced by planting an equivalent area with young trees.

He now regrets the passing of the Climate Change Act in 2008. The Act made a commitment to Britain cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent in the period 1990 to 2050.

This was a brave, bold and commendable move, as without it the UK cannot hope to contribute to the UN’s goal of restricting dangerous increases in global temperatures caused by man-made climate change.

Ninety seven per cent of climate scientists agree that climate change is real, man-made and demands a policy response.

Royal Society for the Arts polls show 80 per cent of Britons are worried about climate change, although only 14.5 per cent have altered their behaviour. Maybe the problem seems too big, or individual actions insignificant. Surely neither is the case.

We can all make a difference and collectively back up the Act’s commitment. For example, switching to energy companies like Ecotricity or Good Energy that use 100 per cent renewables would have a real positive impact. Repealing the Act would be a backward step.

Ginnie Shaw, Prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Green Party for York Outer, Derwent Mews, Osbaldwick, York.