Joanna Lumley suggests return of wartime rationing to help combat climate change

Joanna Lumley has suggested the return of wartime rationing could help combat climate change.

The 75-year-old actress has insisted everyone can play a small role to help the planet, but she believes the government need to carry out a radical change to make a big impact.

Speaking to the Radio Times magazine, Joanna said: “These are tough times, and I think there’s got to be legislation.

“That was how the war was – stuff was rationed – and at some stage I think we might have to go back to some kind of system of rationing, where you’re given a certain number of points and it’s up to you how to spend them, whether it’s buying a bottle of whisky or flying in an aeroplane."

According to Joanna - who has travelled around the world making TV documentaries - people need to "think a bit harder" in order to fight climate change.

She said: "Maybe more of our holidays should be at home or taking trains, and not hopping on a plane to Magaluf for the weekend.

“Every plastic bottle you don’t buy, every piece of litter you pick up, every piece of meat you don’t eat, every small thing counts.”

The 'Absolutely Fabulous' star also claimed there are too many people in the West who chuck food away and "don't care".

She said: "There are lots of people in the Western world who are jolly poor, but largely it’s the Western world that stuffs its face and chucks stuff away and doesn’t care."