The beautiful countryside of Shropshire and its many historic buildings are a daily reminder of the importance of the environment. Yet the green and pleasant land we take for granted is under threat as never before.

We don't have a freehold on the earth; we are merely its custodians and our duty to future generations is not to despoil our world.

Reducing the environmental impact of man's endeavours is something we can all play a part in. Last year I committed to the Energy Saving Trust's national consumer campaign 'Save your 20%', reducing energy consumption at home.

Here in Shropshire, local communities are at the forefront of the environmental movement. Last Friday I was delighted to open the first 100% biodiesel forecourt pump in the country and later visited a wood energy heating plant near Bridgnorth. Next month in Ludlow the first local authority anaerobic digester will come on stream, generating electricity from domestic waste collections in South Shropshire.

I have been campaigning for biofuels and biomass energy projects to receive Government support equivalent to more environmentally intrusive and less efficient energy sources such as onshore wind farms. With oil prices at such high levels, biofuels and biomass become economically viable and have the extra benefit of offering farmers alternative crops to sustain local livelihoods.

David Cameron is backing a campaign designed to persuade us to switch to renewable electricity. New ideas for promoting the quality of life agenda are being drawn up by a Conservative policy group.

If you would like to contribute, please contact me at philipdunne@ludlowconservatives.com.