Environmental analysis "should be the top priority"

Environmental analysis and protection should be at the top of every governmental department's list of priorities, according to a sector commentator.

Robin Oakley, head of climate and energy at Greenpeace, made his comments after the publication of a map illustrating the potential impact of a rise in global temperatures.

The Foreign and Climate Secretaries David and Ed Miliband launched the map along with the government's chief scientist ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen between December 7th and 18th.

Mr Oakley stated that it falls to politicians to take steps to ensure that the map does not become "an atlas" in the future.

He said that four degrees of global warming could happen within a lifetime but that it could be avoided if governments place less focus on winning elections and more on tackling climate change.

"This issue should be the top priority of every government department, from Health to Defence to the Treasury. The bunker mentality of our political elite must come to an end," Mr Oakley concluded.

Posted by Claire Manning