David Chalmers, Liberal Democrat candidate for Torridge and West Devon welcomes Kingsley School’s ‘Earth Day’ on 26 November 2019

Commenting on the 'Earth Day' organised by Kingsley School, Bideford to raise awareness of two of the world's most pressing environmental challenges - finite resources and growing consumption, David said:

"It is reassuring to see such a high level of enthusiasm for addressing environmental issues from the pupils and teachers at Kingsley School. The school is working to make social and environmental responsibility an integral component of everything they do.

Protecting the environment and tackling the climate emergency is at the core of what I and the Liberal Democrats stand for. The UK should be leading the world in tackling the climate emergency. We are the first generation to know we are destroying the environment, and the last generation with a chance to do something about it before it is too late. There is no Planet B. If we fail to act, millions of people - at home and abroad - will suffer the impacts of floods, storms, heatwaves and rising food prices.

In Devon we are seeing the impact of climate change through the summer droughts last year and the flooding this autumn. Our coastal communities are especially at risk from rising sea levels. I am particularly concerned at the erosion of the coastline in Westward Ho - which has undercut the slip way and hampered access to the beach. The refuse waste dumps are being exposed which threatens the whole Northern Devon coastline and our valuable tourist industry. The Northam Burrows are regularly flooded as the sea defences are breached. This issue needs to be given greater priority - as the MP I would initiate a meeting with the Environment Agency, Government Departments and local authorities - County, District and Town Councils to discuss this problem - find a way forward and ensure that it maintained momentum.

The Lib Dems' environmental policies and green offer are well thought out and the most comprehensive of any of the main political parties.

- We will set a new legally binding target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2045 at the latest, and implement a comprehensive climate action plan, cutting emissions across all sectors. As part of this we will implement an emergency programme to insulate all Britain's homes by 2030, cutting emissions and fuel bills and ending fuel poverty;

- We will accelerate the deployment of renewable power, providing more funding, removing the Conservatives' restrictions on solar and wind so that we aim to reach at least 80 per cent renewable electricity in the UK by 2030;

- We will support farmers to protect and restore the natural environment alongside their critical roles in producing food, providing employment and promoting tourism, leisure and health and wellbeing. As part of this we will combat climate change, and benefit nature and people by coordinating the planting of 60 million trees a year.

- We will invest in public transport and ensure that all new cars are electric by 2030. We have lost too many bus routes in Devon meaning people need to take their car. As part of our commitment to improve public transport we will invest £4.5 billion over five years to restore bus routes and add new routes where there is a local need;

- Coastal and land flooding is a major concern of many people I have spoken too. We have committed to establish a £5 billion fund for flood prevention and climate adaptation over the course of the next parliament to improve flood defences, and introduce high standards for flood resilience for buildings and infrastructure in flood risk areas;

- And we will introduce a Nature Act to restore the natural environment through setting legally binding near-term and long-term targets for improving water, air, soil and biodiversity, and supported by funding streams of at least £18 billion over five years.

We are the only party dedicated to building a brighter future by tackling the environmental crises with urgent actions. We are the only party with a bold, credible and detailed plan to tackle the climate emergency as soon as possible, to put climate action at the heart of our government, and to reverse the damage we're doing to our planet"

The Liberal Democrats ran a stall at the event to demonstrate their environmental credentials and spoke to many attendees which included pupils, teachers, environmental ambassadors and experts.