Environment Committee Chair Comments on Recent Climate Change Survey

The Chairperson of the Assembly Committee for the Environment, Anna Lo MLA, has responded to a recent survey on climate change, carried out by the Department of the Environment: "I am concerned about the results of this survey and what implications it may have on the environment. The results, which show a decrease in public concern for the effects of climate change, are particularly worrying - we need people to help protect our environment. I intend to raise this issue with Members of the Environment Committee as soon as possible to discuss ways in which public perception and awareness could be improved.

Ms Lo continued, "The Committee has been told by the Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood MLA to expect a Climate Change Act for Northern Ireland, but not until 2014.  I would like to see this being brought forward much sooner.  Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without its own legislation on climate change and I think the need for it is highlighted by surveys like this."