The Green Party are calling for a 'peaceful political revolution' to end austerity and tackle climate change, as they launch their manifesto for the May 7 General Election.

The manifesto sets out what the party called 'a bold ambitious plan for a fairer society and safer planet'.

As well as the environmentalist party's long-standing concerns over the ecology and global warming, it sets out plans to halt the Government's austerity programme, reverse 'creeping privatisation' in the NHS and create one million public sector jobs paying the living wage.

Greens are enjoying a surge in popularity, with membership soaring to almost 60,000 in England and Wales and the party challenging Liberal Democrats for fourth place in some national polls. They are hoping to retain their single parliamentary seat in Brighton Pavilion and to snatch others in strongholds like Norwich and Bristol.

Their manifesto, entitled For The Common Good, describes climate change as 'the greatest challenge of our time', insisting that only Greens are 'determined to tackle it by taking serious action to limit our emissions at home and fighting for a fair global deal that secures humanity's shared future'.

It argues that action on climate change will 'create jobs, reduce energy bills and make life better for ordinary people'.

The party also promised 'a fair economy that works for all' and said it would 'end austerity and restore the public sector, creating over one million good jobs that pay the living wage'.

Launching the manifesto in east London, Green leader Natalie Bennett was expected to say: 'Austerity has failed and we need a peaceful political revolution to get rid of it.

'Our manifesto is an unashamedly bold plan to create a more equal, more democratic society while healing the planet from the effects of an unstable, unsustainable economy.

'This manifesto presents the Green Party's genuine alternative to our tired, business-as-usual politics. We desperately need a more equal society and the policies we announce today pave the way towards a brighter, fairer future for all.'

Caroline Lucas, who is defending the Brighton Pavilion seat where she became the Greens' first MP in 2010, was expected to add: 'We urgently need real leadership when it comes to tackling climate change - and that's what our manifesto delivers.

'From ending the scandal of cold homes to investing in a public transport system that puts the public first, our plans will make a positive difference to people's lives, create new jobs and help protect our environment.

'We have put investing in a greener future at the heart of our manifesto and only Green MPs will demand Parliament delivers change that reflects the scale of the climate problem.'