Climate change is a threat to our future on this planet. The earth’s climate is warming up, causing more extreme weather; floods, storms, heat waves and droughts. Melting glaciers are gradually raising sea levels. The main cause is burning coal and oil, producing “greenhouse gases” which cause the earth to heat up. The overwhelming number of scientists agree that emissions of these gases need to be dramatically reduced.

Climate change will cause suffering and death for millions of people and the loss of plant and animal species. This is not just a problem for future generations, but is happening now, with the poorest peoples experiencing its immediate effects. This is why climate change influences all our policies in this manifesto.

Climate change needs global and local solutions. World leaders now accept that climate change is real, but continue with economic policies which make it worse. But we are part of the growing international movement pushing governments to sign a fair, legally-binding agreement that will set greenhouse gas emissions for each country.

Climate change is also a great opportunity. New energy efficient technologies give us the opportunity to create a secure, prosperous future based on a more stable economy, with less environmental damage, state-of-the-art greener technologies, less consumption and a higher quality of life.

In Sheffield

As individuals we can help by changing ourlifestyles. Half of the carbon dioxide emissions in Britain come from personal use of which 40% fromenergy in our homes, 35% from air flights, 20% from cars. Our Council needs to play its part too, by adopting policies and services to turn Sheffield into a "greener”, low-carbon city with affordable public transport and grants for small scale solar and wind power. More local shops, schools and workplaces would mean less travel. Some changes will take longer and mean altering the way we plan and organise our city. We should start planning now.

What we have done so far:

• Petitioned Council for a Climate Change champion at the highest level.
• Contributed to scrutiny of the city's climate change strategy.
• Run public awareness workshops on climate change and greener life-styles.
• Helped organise a public meeting and demonstration in London about climate change.

As Green City Councillors we will:

• Push for carbon costing of the city and action to meet and exceed the regional targets for carbon dioxide emissions and renewable energy generation.
• Work towards a framework for identifying and minimising the impact of climate change on all new council policies.
• Campaign for the creation of a Cabinet post for Sustainable Energy and Climate Change.
• Call for a Climate Change Action programme and promotion of Sheffield as a low carbon city.
• Create a programme to inform people what they can do about it, and neighbourhood groups to share best practical advice.
• Push for Council planning for worsening floods and storms as a result of climate change, especially to protect the most vulnerable.
• Ensure that emergency services can function with priority over private cars.
• Call for effective co-ordination between emergency services, Strreetforce and sub-contractors.
• Ensure that the public are fully informed of all emergency plans.
• Call for Sheffield to sign up to Cities for Climate Protection and The Yorkshire and Humberside Climate Change Action Plan.