A LAKE District photographer has been nominated for an award at Parliament for taking action to protect the planet from climate change.

International photojournalist Ashley Cooper will travel to Parliament for the ‘Green Heart Hero Awards’ ceremony on Tuesday.

Mr Cooper has been nominated in the Greenest Overseas Project category in recognition of his project to document the impact of climate change around the world.

His collection ‘Images from a Warming Planet’ illustrates the devastating effects climate change is having, emphasising the disproportionate impact on poor communities. Mr Cooper plans to send a copy of the book to every world leader, and is setting up a website for people to upload their own photography.

“Having spent the last 14 years travelling to every continent on the planet to document the impacts of climate change I’m absolutely delighted to have been nominated for a Green Heart Hero Award," said Mr Cooper. “Climate change is quite simply the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced. Unless we act rapidly and aggressively to tackle it, we will be doomed to an ever increasing collapsing climate which will impact billions across the entire planet.

“I’m really excited about attending the awards ceremony in the Houses of Parliament. Hopefully there will be a few politicians to listen, as they need to step up their game when it comes to tackling climate change.”

The ‘Green Heart Hero Awards’ are the brainchild of The Climate Coalition – a group of more than 130 organisations representing over 15 million people ranging from groups such as the Women’s Institute and the Woodland Trust, trade unions such as Unison, and aid agencies such as CAFOD.

The awards are the culmination of events by The Coalition to ‘Show The Love’ and celebrate things people love that are at risk from climate change – whether sports rained off or natural beauty spots damaged by increased flooding.

Clara Goldsmith from The Climate Coalition said: “It’s fantastic to see the work that individuals such as Ashley Cooper are doing to protect the things we love from climate change.

“The people who have been nominated are just normal people who decided that they wanted to make a difference and help change the world – and they have achieved extraordinary things.

“We are really glad to have the chance to celebrate at Parliament the great work people across the country are doing.”

The Climate Coalition is holding events throughout the year for people to get involved with. Find out more at: theclimatecoalition.org