LOCAL MP MAKES TOP 30 OF UK 'S INFLUENTIAL GREEN CAMPAIGNERS

5.14.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Oct 2008

Local MP Norman Baker is the second most influential politician in the country when it comes to campaigning on the environment. That's the view of experts who yesterday produced their list of their top 100 influential green campaigners in the Independent on Sunday.

Norman, who has been a passionate environmental campaigner since long before he was elected to the House of Commons in 1997, has used his position to campaign vigorously on several local and national environmental issues. Nationally, he has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change and to bring about a greener transport policy. Locally, these include promoting the reopening of the Lewes-Uckfield line and securing cheaper fares on some local rail lines, while opposing damaging road schemes and the hated Newhaven incinerator.

Speaking on the news, Norman said: "I am pleased to see that my environmental campaigning has been recognised, and I am proud to have finished so high up the list.

"Environmental causes have always been close to my heart, and I have always tried to bring them to the fore where possible, be it the local implications of the unwanted incinerator at Newhaven, or the potentially devastating impacts of climate change."

Notes:

More information on the Independent on Sunday's 'Green List' can be found at: www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/the-iiosi-green-list-britains-top-100-environmentalists-958711.html