I hope the election will prompt a series of intelligent debates about the major problems facing our society – the problems of an ageing population and how to care for the elderly, the increasing numbers and complexity of children in care, and climate change which I believe is the greatest challenge facing our generation.

The science around climate change is now overwhelming (climate.nasa.gov/scientificconsensus).

The moral imperative is clear; for an insight into Catholic teaching on why we must take better care of our world, have a look at the videos and resources at ourcommonhome.co.

uk For what Cheshire East Council is doing and to tell the council how it can help you reduce your carbon emissions please respond to the consultation on the Environmental Strategy – search on consultations at cheshireeast.gov.uk We need to use less energy, eat less red meat, use our cars less and walk and cycle more, insulate our homes and develop new low carbon technologies.

Climate change has to be tackled at an individual level, a local level, a national level and an international level.

We can rise to the challenge of climate change, or we can carry on as we are and change our common home for the worse.

Cllr Sam Corcoran MA(Oxon), FCA, CTA (Fellow) Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Sandbach Heath & East