A PETITION has been presented to Northwich's mayor as part of a campaign make the town green from the inside out.

Rudheath granddad Paul Mathias launched the drive to inspire Northwich to turn its back on fossil fuels and commit to using 100 per cent clean energy by 2050.

He presented his 88-name petition to the mayor, Cllr Alison Gerrard, at Northwich Town Council's latest meeting.

"We would never dream of cutting finances to education or health because they're here to protect our future," he said.

"But what we don't do is look at climate change very well, we tend to leave it on a back burner.

"But it's the ultimate risk to our children's future and we can't put it to one side any longer."

Paul, who has two children and two grandchildren, said the recognised maximum amount of global warming that can be allowed without serious harm is two degrees.

He argued that investment in fossil fuels should be redirected to developing renewable energy and said individuals, businesses and organisations should reduce their investment in fossil fuel companies.

Paul appealed for Northwich Town Council to include the campaign in the Northwich Neighbourhood Plan.

"If you can put the idea of a clean future for Northwich into the town plan, what vision and inspiration that would give our youngsters," he said.

Cllr Derek Bowden said: "It's about realising this earth is a finite resource, it's a spaceship and we have to find a way of using everything on it to make sure there's a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.

"I applaud and endorse everything you've said."

But Cllr Bowden added that the issue was complicated: "The UK contribution of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is two per cent of the global contribution," he said.

"In under developed countries that are industrialising, like India and China, they're using carbon technology as a means of eradicating poverty – it's massively complicated."

The council agreed to discuss the issue further at its next planning committee meeting.