Inuit Leader to give evidence at Stansted Public Inquiry

Aqqaluk Lynge will describe real impacts of Climate Change

The Leader of Greenland’s indigenous human rights organisation the Inuit Circumpolar Council and expert member of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Aqqaluk Lynge, will give evidence this week (on Friday 27 July) to the Public Inquiry into the proposed expansion of Stansted Airport.

Speaking as a witness for campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE), Mr Lynge will highlight the impacts of climate change which are already being experienced in the Arctic and call for a halt to the airport expansion proposals which would add to the global warming burden which is already affecting the traditional Inuit way of life.

Earlier in the week (Wednesday 25 July) he will address MPs at the Houses of Parliament about the frontline impacts of climate change.

“Climate change is not just a theory to us in the Arctic; it is a stark and dangerous reality. Human-induced climate change is undermining the ecosystem upon which Inuit depend for their physical and cultural survival,” says Mr Lynge.

“You may say that the expansion of London Stansted Airport will play only a small part in increasing climate change but everyone can say that about almost everything they do. It is an excuse for doing nothing. The result of that attitude would be catastrophic. The serious consequences affecting my people today will affect your people tomorrow,” he will warn.

In February 2003, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) passed a resolution effectively recognizing the Arctic as a “barometer” or “indicator region” of the globe’s environmental health. This resolution called upon Arctic states to significantly increase environmental monitoring arrangements in the Arctic.

“The Arctic is no longer isolated from the rest of the world,” Mr Lynge will tell the Inquiry. “What happens in countries such as Britain affects us in the North. Many of the economic and environmental challenges facing the Inuit result from activities well to the south of our homeland and Inuit traditions are being severely tested by the changing Arctic environment.”

“The Inuit people and the Arctic are sometimes overlooked, but in relation to global climate change I suggest you do so at your peril. What is happening now to Inuit will happen soon to you in the South. This is why the UNEP is looking to the Arctic and why you should as well.”

Commenting ahead of Mr Lynge’s appearance, SSE Campaign Director Carol Barbone said: “Stansted will be the litmus test of the seriousness of the Government’s commitment to properly tackling the climate change issue. If Gordon Brown doesn’t grasp that nettle then his claims about acting to address global warming will be exposed as mere platitudes.”

BAA is seeking unlimited passenger use of the airport’s single runway, currently capped at 25 million passengers per annum, which could result in the eventual doubling passenger throughput and an increase in the number of flights from 192,000 (latest 12 months total) to 264,000 annually. Permission for the application was refused by Uttlesford District Council last November and the Public Inquiry is hearing BAA’s appeal against that decision.

The Inquiry is currently set to conclude on 19 October, following which the Inspector will submit a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Secretary of State for Transport for decision. An announcement is expected in Spring 2008.

 

DIARY DATES FOR MEDIA

Wednesday 25 July, 11am – 12 noon, The Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Westminster

Media are invited to attend the All-party Parliamentary Sustainable Aviation Group meeting ‘Global warming is not just a theory: a view from the climate change frontline’ where Aqqaluk Lynge will be the keynote speaker on the proposed expansion of Stansted Airport and air transport’s global climate change impacts. The meeting will be hosted by Lord Faulkner of Worcester and David Taylor MP.  Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesmen Chris Huhne MP will also be speaking. To allow time to pass through the current increased levels of security at Westminster, would those without passes please arrive at the main public entrance to Portcullis House 20 minutes before the indicated start time.

Friday 27 July, approx 11.30am, Endeavour House, Coopers End Road, Stansted Airport CM24 1SJ

Aqqaluk Lynge’s evidence will be delivered to the Public Inquiry at approximately 11.30am (depending on the length of time taken by the previous witness – Roger Levett on the Materiality of Climate Change who begins at 10am). This will be followed by cross-examination by BAA’s barristers. On present expectations the Inquiry is expected to adjourn by 1pm, following which Mr Lynge will answer media questions at a press conference to take place in the Inquiry room. Filming and photography will not be permitted during the formal part of the Inquiry but is allowed during the press conference.

The full text of Aqqaluk Lynge’s proof of evidence to the Inquiry and photographs are available from SSE.