Environment - big problem

Tomorrow another report is released detailing potentially devastating effects global warming could cause in our future. Does our party have a sensible coherent response to global warming?

At the moment I think all parties are struggling with the sheer enormity of the challenge, however given that we are entering a period of change in the party here are a number of issues I'd like to see us address with regards to climate change.

1. Argue conclusively that climate change is occurring and will cause large scale economic, social and environmental damage. Public debate seems to continually reiterate that climate change is occurring but there still seems no definitive publicly quoted resource yet that I cansee the public trusting. Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace spokesmen/women don't count - the public will not believe them to be impartial on this subject.
2. Have a fully thought through, reasoned and long term energy policy. We seem to swing from nuclear to gas to wind within a matter of days. Can we expect anyone to trust our decisions if we have no sensible articulate energy policy to defend.
3. Decide if energy taxes should be revenue neutral. If they are not neutral have a good argument why not. Simply saying "fairness" doesn't work, as normal people interpret this as tax increases.
4. Any policy must have a European and global element. Without conclusive European and global support why should UK citizens do anything about a global issue?
5. Can we tax the creators of climate change accurately enough? For that matter make sure we produce documentary scientific evidence highlighting who and what are the main producers of climate change.
   
6. Decide if government intervention will adversely affect UK living standards. If so, make sure we have the arguments to ensure the public understand why and what the ramifications will be. Will we all have to work 3 extra days a year or take a 10% pay cut?
7. Prepare scenarios for the public to highlight what is likely to happen without action - again I think this will have to come from a neutral body - perhaps a public commission.
8. Give guidance on how companies, households, organisations and individuals can live as close to carbon neutral as possible.

I'm sure there are many other points to raise but we have a responsibility as a party to raise the current level of public debate about climate change.

If we can lead the debate we will also differentiate ourselves from the other main parties, because fundamentally a solution on climate change will be based on social democracy. Market or liberal philosophy's simply can not cope with climate change.

Market philosphy believes all things level themselves out in the long run, in the long run the earth will be fried rather than level. While liberal philosphy tends to hope that individual action can resolve issues, where on climate change the earth actually needs the most coordinated approach from national and international bodies/government we've ever seen.

The public will not accept nor vote for measures that simply look like increasing the tax revenue for government nor will they vote for a party with a broccoli as a logo and a carbon neutral trip to the north pole.

They will vote for and support a thorough and comprehensive program of change that will reduce the impact of climate change and help save our planet. The question is: can our party step up to the challenge?