Hugh Montgomery

"Climate change will snap at our heels, yet savage our children. Together we will change that. This year, all Londoners - but the children in particular - will be leaders."

Why is sustainable development important to you?
The Earth has finite embedded resources of both materials and fossil fuels. For humanity to survive, logic dictates that (at some point) everything we use will need to be reused- and all energy will have to be alternatively sourced. The only question is when.

With global warming and ecosystem destruction threatening our own civilisations, and our children's lives, the point of transition is forced upon our generation. Pragmatically, our unsustainable living makes living unsustainable.

What does being a London Leader mean to you?
Being a London leader is an honour, responsibility, and massive opportunity to help make the difference or, to paraphrase President Obama, to 'Be(come) The Change.'

Past experience
I'm a research director and consultant physician, having qualified from medical school in 1987. I am also a published author of children's books. I have been actively and increasingly engaged in climate change issues for perhaps eight years. I established Project Genie some four years ago to try to create rapid, meaningful and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. 2009 will be the year of delivery!  I am a founding member of the UK Climate and Health Council, and have been engaged in recent years with the NHS Sustainability Unit and the medical Royal Colleges.