Brexit and the environment are too closely linked to separate the two problems.

Politicians tackled the issue of Brexit and climate change at an event in Penrith on Friday.

The first question at the youth question time event asked why we have spent three years focusing on Brexit, when the earth creeps closer to the point of no return on climate issues.

Sue Hayman, MP for Workington, said: “Brexit isn’t actually separate from this.

“Environmental protections are an integral part of what we are trying to secure because most of our environmental protections are based in European law.”

The current proposed Withdrawal Agreement will seek to maintain the environmental standards that the UK is operating at.

She went on to say: “It’s really important that we get the same protections at minimum back for the environment when we leave.”

The government has announced plans for a new environment bill.

However, under a no deal Brexit there may be some time in between leaving the EU and applying the new British environment laws.

Young people were concerned that the issue would be irrelevant in 20 years time, if more isn’t done to protect the environment now.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “Given that climate change does not respect international borders, leaving the European Union at this time would be about the most stupid thing we could possibly do.”