Low Carbon British Economy Will Create a Million Jobs, Says Benn ; POLITICS

Thursday, September 25, 2008 5:02 PM

(Source: Birmingham Post; Birmingham (UK)) tracking

The soaring costs of oil and food are an indication of what happens when the earth's resources are taken for granted, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said yesterday.

But he told delegates at the Labour Party Conference that economic difficulties must not compromise the battle against climate change.

Mr Benn said a low carbon British economy would create a million "green jobs" and help make the UK less dependent on the oil and gas that are "costing us the earth".

He said: "The storm that hit the housing market in America took no time in crossing the Atlantic. Rising food and energy prices do not take long to reach our shores.

"We feel the impact at the supermarket check-out and at the petrol pump.

"We now see what happens when we take the earth's resources for granted and we now understand that we must value its gifts and share them fairly."

Mr Benn said the Government was prepared to act to protect consumers, highlighting the increase in winter fuel payments for pensioners and the announcement of funding to insulate homes.

But, he added: "As well as providing help today, we also need to prepare for tomorrow.

"Some people say 'can we afford to fight climate change when times are tough?' "Yes, we can and yes, we must. Because now - and in the years ahead - it won't be a choice between either fighting climate change or building a strong economy. A low carbon Britain will be the strong economy of the future, making us less dependent on the oil and gas that's costing us the earth."