Kelvin Clayton, the Parliamentary candidate for the Green Party in West Dorset, writes to offer his public support to the students who took part in the recent Youth Strike 4 Climate in Bridport. I would like to add mine.

Kelvin rightly points out that the IPPC report was clear that we have only 12 years to limit global warming to a rise of 1.5 degrees or the effects on human kind will be devastating. It should terrify us all that in the six months since that warning we have achieved nothing. Time wasted that we do not have.

The IPCC report not only diagnoses the disease and the likely outcome, but also the cure. Were this a medical ailment we would readily take the medicine. We may be the last generation that will have a chance to. The decision by Bridport’s students, and those around the world, to strike should shame all those in power who have refused the acknowledge the danger we face as a species. However the demand for change can no longer be ignored.

The local elections in May offer a chance for us to put safeguarding our environment at the top of the agenda. I hope voters in West Dorset will use the opportunity to demand a better future.

Edward Morello

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for West Dorset