Cornwall’s Green Party has welcomed Falmouth Town Council becoming the first town council in Cornwall to declare a ‘Climate Emergency’.

The decision came last week after a moving presentation to councillors and local residents by Karen La Borde from Cornwall Greens, which brought home the many ways in which the breakdown of the world’s climate system threatens the lives and livelihoods of people in Cornwall and around the world.

Tom Scott, the Green Party spokesperson for Truro and Falmouth, said: “This is a really important step and it’s extremely encouraging to see Falmouth taking a lead in raising awareness of the extreme urgency of our situation. Climate breakdown is something that will affect all of us, and we need to be taking action now, not tomorrow.

“As we’re seeing with news of climate-related catastrophes almost every day, it’s already too late to avoid some very serious impacts from climate change. But the longer we postpone making drastic cuts to carbon emissions, the worse these impacts will become."

Falmouth becomes the fifth town in the whole of the UK to declare a climate emergency, joining Manchester, Bristol, Stroud, Totnes and Brighton. The motion was put by Deputy Mayor Tony Parson after a request by Rob Higgs of the campaigning group Extinction Rebellion.

“The Green Party has been urging such action for years, and creating a zero-carbon economy is central to all our policies. But this is an issue that’s much more important than party politics – it will take all of us working together. What’s happening in

Falmouth – which like all coastal communities is especially vulnerable to sea-level rise and flooding – sets a great example for other towns around the UK”

Mr Scott added: “This is a really important step and it’s extremely encouraging to see Falmouth taking a lead in raising awareness of the extreme urgency of our situation. Climate breakdown is something that will affect all of us, and we need to be taking action now, not tomorrow.

“As we’re seeing with news of climate-related catastrophes almost every day, it’s already too late to avoid some very serious impacts from climate change. But the longer we postpone making drastic cuts to carbon emissions, the worse these impacts will become."

The Council is now drawing up a plan to work with local schools, environmental groups, businesses and residents on changes that can make an impact on carbon emissions and in terms of awareness in Falmouth.