West Berks Lib Dems gear up for green tea

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 9th Nov 2006

Lib Dems will be debating how we can make green changes at local level

Liberal Democrat members of West Berkshire Council are gearing up for a day of tough talking on climate changes issues. Members of the Lib Dem Group representing wards across the district, from Hungerford to Burghfield, will be attending the Newbury Corn Exchange's screening of 'An Inconvenient Truth', on November 16th.

Following the film, West Berkshire Lib Dems will be representing their wards at a discussion on how local people can help in the fight against climate change, hosted by Newbury Liberal Democrats. The 'green tea' reception will take place immediately after the film at 4.30pm in the Town Hall Council Chamber.

The film, 'An Inconvenient Truth', is presented by former US vice-president Al Gore, who has become convinced of the need for urgent global action. It includes many ideas for changes in policy at international, national and local level, designed to cut carbon emissions and prevent runaway global warming.

West Berkshire Liberal Democrat Group's Deputy Leader Councillor Denise Gaines commented:

"I am delighted to see these positive steps being taken in West Berkshire. Climate change is a very real problem and West Berkshire's Lib Dems are stepping up to the plate to address the issue. The green tea reception will give representatives of all political parties, local councils, the business and faith communities and anyone who has ideas to share on tackling climate change a chance to have their say. We are very much looking forward to it."

Councillor Tony Vickers, who tabled a question to last month's meeting of the Council's Executive on this issue, said:

"It is easy to feel helpless but people are now ready to take action. Governments and Councils can only do so much - essential though policies such as Green Taxes may be. It is up to all of us to act in our personal and business lives to combat this threat which our unsustainable lifestyles contribute to."

Note to Editor:

1. More information about 'An Inconvenient Truth' can be found at www.aninconvenienttruth.co.uk.

2. Tickets to the film are available through the Corn Exchange, http://www.cornexchangenew.com.