Environmental charity Greenrock today called for a renewed focus on renewable energy and sustainability in tomorrow’s Throne Speech.

The charity said it would like to see the government to tackle the issue of climate change head on.

A spokesman added: “This Throne Speech occurs in the wake of hurricane Harvey in the US southwest and hurricane Irma in the Caribbean and Florida — and with the looming threat of Hurricane José.

“Rising sea levels caused by climate change increase the severity of storm surge and resulting property damage and potential for loss of life and livelihood.

“Similarly, the warmer atmosphere holds more water vapour, leading to extreme rainfall events such as the record-shattering rainfall associated with Harvey. Warmer ocean waters help fuel hurricanes, increasing their potential intensity.

“It’s not possible to say that these hurricanes have been caused by climate change — but we can say with great confidence that climate change made their impact worse.”

Among the charity’s “wish list” for the Throne Speech are initiatives for energy equality, increased support for renewable energy.

Greenrock also wants to see hybrid and electric vehicles phased into the government fleet and the introduction of a charge for single-use bags.

And the charity added they wanted to see a mandatory recycling programme piloted, along with consultation on a drinks container deposit system.

Greenrock warned that the issue of climate change was the greatest challenge facing the world and that the island needed to do its part.

The spokesman said: “We can no longer deny the reality of climate change. Bermuda has a moral and economic imperative to address the impact of climate change on Bermuda and reduce our own contributions to it.

“Climate change will affect all aspects of Bermudian life — from our weather, our coral reefs, flora and fauna, the economy and public health.

“It is for this reason that we hope that the challenge of climate change features prominently in the upcoming Throne Speech.”