Download London cinema owner on mission to save the planet

Friends of the Earth Press Release
For Immediate Release: [Date]
OR
EMBARGOED until [Time] on [Date]
[Town name] cinema owner on mission to save the
planet
[INSERT DETAILS OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AND TIME AS
APPROPRIATE]
A [Town name] cinema owner is on a mission to save the planet. On [date], [Cinema owner
name], owner of the [cinema name] cinema is helping Friends of the Earth put local MP, [MP
name], on the spot in a [question and answer session/debate] after a screening of Al Gore’s
climate documentary AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, winner of two Academy awards in 2007, follows Nobel Peace
Prize winner Al Gore as he attempts to publicise global warming. The film, which was
released to excellent reviews, is a compelling and powerful call for urgent action [1].
At the screening local cinema goers will get a chance to watch the film and quiz their MP
about what the UK is doing to tackle climate change. Through The Big Ask campaign [2],
Friends of the Earth is calling on MPs and the Government to introduce a Climate Change
Law that commits the UK to a three per cent annual cut in its carbon dioxide emissions. The
environmental campaign group also wants the proposed law to be strengthened to include the
UK’s share of international emissions from aviation and shipping. A strong Climate Change
Law will persuade the Government to introduce policies to make it easier for us all individuals and business - to be climate friendly.
[Cinema owner name] said “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH is probably the most important film
of our generation. I’ve been worried that the Government isn’t doing enough about climate
change. Now Al Gore has given me the chance to use my cinema to do something about it.
By teaming up with Friends of the Earth we’ve been able to put our local MP on the spot
about what they are doing to tackle climate change.”
[Name], local Friends of the Earth campaigner, said "Many people watch AN
INCONVENIENT TRUTH and end up wondering what our own Government is doing to tackle
climate change. The Big Ask cinema night is an opportunity for people in [place name] to ask
our local MP, [name]. This November, MPs from across this region will be debating the
contents of this law in Parliament – one of the key things [he/she] can do is to make sure it’s
strong enough to deliver the cuts in emissions that are needed.”
[MP name], local MP said “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH highlights just how urgent climate
change is. Luckily a lot of the solutions already exist. We need to make sure the
Government’s new climate change law will allow these solutions to flourish and set Britain on
course to become one of the world’s first low-carbon economies. I am looking forward to
debating this and encourage everyone in [place name] to come along.”
N.B.: Any quote from an MP must be agreed by them before use – often they want to
provide their own.
Tickets for the event cost [£] and are available from [telephone number]. The screening starts
at [time] at the [name and location of cinema].
ENDS
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Background notes to Editor:
Contacts:
Cinema: [name, telephone]
Friends of the Earth: [name, telephone]
Interviewees: [names and title/background/contacts of those available for interview ]
Information regarding the screening and [question and answer session/debate]
 Takes place on [date] at [time]
 Call [telephone number] for enquiries and booking
[1] Further details on The Inconvenient Truth:
In a recent legal ruling, a High Court judge said that An Inconvenient Truth is “broadly
accurate” in its “presentation of the causes and likely effects of climate change” and that it can
be shown in schools.
However, the judge also said that there were nine instances where the film departed from the
mainstream view of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and that Guidance Note
to schools must address these departures from the mainstream view.
He said that there was no requirement to show a climate sceptic view to schoolchildren as
this view did not accord with the great majority of scientific opinion. He agreed that climate
change is mainly attributable to man-made emissions and that if unchecked, will have
significant adverse effects on the world and its populations.
Friends of the Earth believes the overall message of the film is as valid as ever – climate
change is real, and we need to do something about it. The film remains a very effective way
to help people understand the science behind climate change, the potential impact worldwide
and the need for action by individuals, communities and governments.
[2] Further information about The Big Ask:
Last year 412 MPs (almost two thirds of all MPs) signed Early Day Motion 178 calling for new
climate change legislation "so that annual cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of three per cent
can be delivered”. As a result, the government announced a Climate Change Bill in the
Queen’s Speech in November 2006 and published the first draft on 13 March 2007.
The environmental charity Friends of the Earth, is calling for the Law to be strengthened – this
will be essential for it to succeed – specific changes needed are:
 Bigger cuts: The Government proposes 60% cuts of carbon dioxide by 2050. There
is wide scientific recognition there needs to be reductions of at least 80%.
 Annual targets: The Government wants five-year milestones for reducing carbon
dioxide. We want shorter, annual targets – to hold Parliament to account, now and in
the future.
 Aviation and shipping: International flights and shipping emissions are excluded.
We need these to be included as they are the fastest growing source of carbon
dioxide emissions.
The cuts in carbon dioxide emissions proposed by the Bill need to ensure the UK plays its
part in keeping global temperatures from rising two degrees above pre industrial levels - the
temperature rise recognised by the EU as a `danger level' we should not breach.
Friends of the Earth believe that this requires a cut of at least three percent each year through
to 2050 (which would add up to a cut of around 80% by 2050). The Government's current
target - a cut in emissions of 60 percent by 2050 - is no longer considered to be a sufficient
contribution by the UK or other developed countries. In addition it fails to take account of the
UK's share of emissions from international shipping and aviation.
Further info at: www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate or www.thebigask.com
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