PREPARING NATURE IN HAMPSHIRE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE - HUHNE BACKS WILDLIFE TRUST

4.51.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Jan 2007

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today supported The Wildlife Trusts' approach to preparing wildlife for climate change as set out in their report A living landscape.

Chris Huhne MP said 'The key problem is ensuring that we humans do not get in the way of wildlife and plantlife as it attempts to migrate northwards to keep cool.

"We have to look after the natural environment and our wildlife and ensure the effects of climate change are minimised. Decisions must be taken now. As the Stern report highlighted, this must be to look at a broader, landscape scale to enable our plants and animals to move and adapt as conditions change.

"I was pleased to be updated again by Sue Walton, chief executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight wildlife trust, and to hear about the progress of local projects including the improvement of the Itchen Navigation.

"I am also proud to be one of the main sponsors of the Early Day Motion in parliament to draw the Government's attention to the need to ensure the policy framework is given the priority it deserves" said Mr Huhne.

In Hampshire, the Itchen, Test, Hamble and Meon river valleys are important north-south corridors along which potentially wildlife can migrate, and Mr Huhne says it is important to preserve their natural state despite the development pressures in Hampshire. Mr Huhne said that the beech tree was already an example of a species finding it increasingly hard to survive in our drier summers in the south of England.

Sir David Attenborough, vice president of the Wildlife Trusts, says in the report A Living Landscape: "The last time the UK's wildlife faced a challenge on this scale was at the end of the last ice age. We need to find ways to help our wildlife become more resilient to the trials it faces in the 21st century."

Wildlife Trusts' Vice President and Founder of MORI, Sir Robert Worcester KBE, spoke at the recent event in the House of Commons which Mr Huhne attended. He said 'Climate change is now affecting so many areas of our lives. Recent opinion polls are showing that the public are increasingly concerned and aware of climate change.

"Wildlife is a good way of engaging people in the issues of climate change - the public can turn their concern to help their local Wildlife Trust projects. But this report shows that, with political will, something can be done to safeguard our natural environment for the future.'

For further information about The Wildlife Trusts' report log on to www.wildlifetrusts.org and click on publications.