GREENPEACE RESPONSE TO ANNOUNCEMENT OF HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD

27 November 1997

Greenpeace is urging world governments gathering in Japan for the crucial UN climate talks in Kyoto to take urgent action during the negotiations to introduce effective cuts in greenhouse gas emissions following today's announcement by the UK's Met Office that 1997 is likely to be the hottest year since global records began in 1860.

" This news should galvanise action at next week's climate summit. If they are not ringing already, the Governments' alarm bells should be ringing now. All the evidence points to the fact that climate change is already happening," said Deputy Executive Director, Chris Rose. " World leaders need to accept that there is a limit to the amount of pollution the atmosphere can take - the sky does indeed have a limit."

" It's time for tough action. Strong measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions do not mean standards of living have to suffer - effective cuts can easily be achieved through energy efficiency and the phasing in of renewable energy sources, solar, wind and wave energy. Both will bring thousands of new jobs ."

"We need a Renewables Revolution and a phase out of fossil fuels. Oil, gas and coal have had their day - we need a cleaner, fossil fuel free world. The oil companies are not going to give up their profits unless Governments need to stimulate markets for renewables. They must start now."

Greenpeace is also exposing the role being played by oil companies in trying to de-rail the all-important climate negotiations starting on Dec 1 in Japan. Essowatch is a 12 hour a day protest currently being staged by Greenpeace outside the Victoria Streeet,London SW1 offices of Esso - an oil company that Greenpeace accuses of trying to wreck the UN climate talks through encouraging China to burn more fossil fuels and through its involvement with a multi-million dollar disinformation advertising campaign in the US.

For Further Information

Contact Greenpeace Press Office on 0171 865 8255/6/7/8