DUDLEY South MP Ian Pearson is relishing his challenge to help make Britain a more environmentally friendly place to live.

The former Trade Minister who has become the new Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment has already made the national news while trying to help resolve the drought crisis in the South East.

But his crucial new role will no doubt lead to many more headlines in the future.

The Labour MP said: "I think climate change and the environment is the biggest long-term issue facing the world today.

"If I can help to get an international agreement on how to tackle climate change when my kids -- and hopefully my grandchildren -- say to me in future `what did you do?' I can say to them I did my bit."

As well as tackling the serious water shortage in the South East, the 47-year-old MP is also responsible for the Environment Agency, the Government's Sustainable Development Agenda encouraging people to live a greener lifestyle, DEFRA's scheme to reduce emissions, as well as working on Britain's plans to go nuclear and the Government's renewable fuel transport obligation which means that by 2010 five per cent of all fuels must come from renewable sources.

He said: "It's a really exciting job, but as with any new position there's a lot to learn. It's been a challenge to cover all the different areas that I have responsibility for.

"But I've always been interested in the environment. One of the reasons that led me to politics in the first place was my belief in leaving this planet for future generations to enjoy."

Ian, who spent the last year jet-setting to 25 different countries in his role as Trade Minister, heard he'd landed the new climate change job when pal PM Tony Blair called him up while he was at a rugby club lunch.

Despite his rising profile, the father-of-three who lives in Stourbridge, says his focus is still very much the Black Country.

He said: "First and foremost I'm a constituency MP -- what matters is working here for the people of Dudley South. It's an enormous privilige to be an MP and a member of the Government. It gives us the opportunity to make a difference to people's lives."