Bates challenges Minister to screen powerful new climate change film in the Chamber (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Bates challenges Minister to screen powerful new climate change film in the Chamber

March 25, 2009 12:00 AM

Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Spokesperson for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, has urged the Minister for the Environment to show a powerful new climate change film 'Age of Stupid' to all Assembly Members in the Senedd as politicians across the World prepare for the Copenhagen Climate Summit.

The film 'Age of Stupid' stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethewaite as a man living in the devastated future world of 2055, looking back and asking, "Why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?" Written and directed by Franny Armstrong, The Age of Stupid will launch the Not Stupid campaign, counting down the remaining days to the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December.

Montgomeryshire AM Mick comments:

"As we move closer to the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December, politicians across the World have a duty to raise the profile of climate change. I was pleased to host the film 'Age of Stupid' in the Assembly today, sponsored by Friends of the Earth, to play a part here in Wales to help highlight the immense significance of this film in terms of combating climate change.

"It is vitally important that we reach effective global agreements on tackling climate change at the Copenhagen summit in December. But here in Wales we can be leading the way right now.

"This film is a wake-up call, telling us we can't afford to waste any more time. I have urged the Minister in the Chamber to accept the challenge to screen this film which is of such great importance, so that we can gain a better understanding of the political significance of this powerful film so that politicians and people across Wales wake up to the reality and urgency of the climate change challenge."

The Minister Jane Davidson in her response commended the film but stated that Government time could not be used to screen the film in the Chamber. Mick will now seek to use opposition time to screen the film to raise awareness amongst all Welsh Assembly Members of the challenge climate change.

Gordon James, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"This powerful and acclaimed film will inspire large numbers of people to take action on climate change. The Age of Stupid shows how what we do now will have consequences for a long time to come.

"In December, world leaders will be meeting at Copenhagen to agree an international climate change deal. We all can be piling the pressure on our political representatives to tell them this opportunity must not be missed."

Notes:

Mick hosted the screening of 'Age of Stupid' in the National Assembly on March 25th. The event was organised by Friends of the Earth Cymru as part of the Wales One World Film Festival.

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