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Climate change remarks 'blunder' Climate change remarks 'blunder'
(10 minutes later)
Opposition politicians have attacked Wales' first minister who said global warming would not be "entirely unhelpful" if it brought warm sunshine.Opposition politicians have attacked Wales' first minister who said global warming would not be "entirely unhelpful" if it brought warm sunshine.
During questions, Rhodri Morgan told assembly members some climate change was unavoidable and would have to be adapted to.During questions, Rhodri Morgan told assembly members some climate change was unavoidable and would have to be adapted to.
The opposition called his remarks a blunder and utterly irresponsible.The opposition called his remarks a blunder and utterly irresponsible.
The assembly government plans to make a series of announcements to help tackle climate change over the coming months.The assembly government plans to make a series of announcements to help tackle climate change over the coming months.
It also announced a scheme to plant a tree for every baby born in Wales.It also announced a scheme to plant a tree for every baby born in Wales.
Mr Morgan in a speech on Monday night said: "If our climate in Wales is going to be more like Spain's or southern California's in the summer, then Spain will be more like the Sahara.Mr Morgan in a speech on Monday night said: "If our climate in Wales is going to be more like Spain's or southern California's in the summer, then Spain will be more like the Sahara.
"If that is the kind of climate shift we cannot avoid having by 2050, it will hardly be unhelpful to Wales.""If that is the kind of climate shift we cannot avoid having by 2050, it will hardly be unhelpful to Wales."
During weekly questions the following day, Mr Morgan said he was happy to repeat his comments.During weekly questions the following day, Mr Morgan said he was happy to repeat his comments.
"There is some climate change you can't stop, it's already built into the system and as well as curbing it we need to adapt to it," he argued."There is some climate change you can't stop, it's already built into the system and as well as curbing it we need to adapt to it," he argued.
STEPS ON CLIMATE CHANGE Consultation to be launched on response to impacts of unavoidable climate changeSmarter Choices - practical guide to more sustainable travelWales energy routemap, to transform Wales into a low carbon energy economyEnvironmental performance of new buildings a core condition for all Assembly Government funding and investmentsSource: Welsh Assembly GovernmentSTEPS ON CLIMATE CHANGE Consultation to be launched on response to impacts of unavoidable climate changeSmarter Choices - practical guide to more sustainable travelWales energy routemap, to transform Wales into a low carbon energy economyEnvironmental performance of new buildings a core condition for all Assembly Government funding and investmentsSource: Welsh Assembly Government
"If the north becomes hotter, it will not be entirely unhelpful.""If the north becomes hotter, it will not be entirely unhelpful."
Mr German, AM for south Wales east said he was "amazed" by the first minister's "staggeringly complacent attitude" towards climate change.Mr German, AM for south Wales east said he was "amazed" by the first minister's "staggeringly complacent attitude" towards climate change.
He said Wales should play a "leading role" in the green revolution.He said Wales should play a "leading role" in the green revolution.
"But we cannot do that while we have a "do-nothing" first minister who isn't merely denying climate change, he's positively welcoming it on the grounds that we'd have more sun in the summer," he said."But we cannot do that while we have a "do-nothing" first minister who isn't merely denying climate change, he's positively welcoming it on the grounds that we'd have more sun in the summer," he said.
New baby Baby
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones described Mr Morgan's comments as "remarkable and utterly irresponsible."Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones described Mr Morgan's comments as "remarkable and utterly irresponsible."
Conservative leader, Nick Bourne, said this "blunder" was worse than the first minister's failure to appear at the D-day landings commemorations and gave the impression that Wales did not care about global warming.Conservative leader, Nick Bourne, said this "blunder" was worse than the first minister's failure to appear at the D-day landings commemorations and gave the impression that Wales did not care about global warming.
Mr Morgan said he was referring to climate change that scientists have already proved to be inevitable. Mr Morgan said he was referring to climate change that scientists had already proved to be inevitable.
He went to outline how his government plans to tackle climate change with a series of announcements over the next few months. He went to outline assembly government plans to tackle climate change with a series of announcements over the next few months.
Meanwhile, a scheme has been launched to plant a tree for every new baby and adopted child in Wales from Autumn 2007. Meanwhile, a scheme has been launched to plant a tree for every baby and adopted child in Wales from Autumn 2007.
Each child will receive a certificate telling them where their tree was planted, to give them an "immediate link" with their environment, Mr Morgan explained. Each child will receive a certificate telling them where their tree was planted, to give them an "immediate link" with their environment, Mr Morgan said.
"This scheme will connect young people with the world of nature, and will also show how they can take action themselves to make their local communities a better place environmentally," he added. It is estimated the scheme would create of 30 hectares of woodland each year.
It is estimated the scheme will lead to the creation of 30 hectares of new woodland each year.