My name is David Manning. I am a hide volunteer at Sandwell
Valley. On 17 June I went with 9000
other people from across the UK to lobby parliament about climate change. Along
with other RSPB members and likeminded people from organisations like CAFOD and
Christian Aid I travelled down by coach to Westminster. We were all supporters of some of the 100
organisations (including the RSPB) that make up the Climate Coalition. When we got to Westminster there were
inspirational speakers to listen to.
Everyone was so friendly. The
highlight, and whole reason to go, was meeting my MP, Tom Watson.
The theme of the day was, “Speak Up
For The Love Of …..” Everyone was
encouraged to bring bunting showing pictures of things they love and fear will
be lost if climate change is not reversed.
My daughter sent me along with four flags showing an orang-utan, an arctic
fox, the barrier reef and the Antarctic ice sheet! If you go onto Tom Watson’s Twitter for 17
June you may still see a photo. Here’s
the link https://twitter.com/tom_watson
. I was proud to wear my RSPB polo shirt. Several members came up to speak to
me to say hello.
Along with a fellow constituent from Friends of the Earth I
asked Tom to press the government to do two things. Things that will make a
huge difference to our interconnected world of people and nature:
1.
Make
sure the new Sustainable Development Goals agreed in September 2015 respond to
the threat of increasing climate change and deliver low-carbon development.
2.
Help
agree a global climate deal in Paris this December that requires all countries to
take their fair share of action to limit global temperature rise to well below
the internationally agreed target of 2°C and support developing countries to
cope with escalating climate impacts.
We had a good discussion with Tom. I hope he understands even better than before
that the people in West Bromwich care about our precious planet. That we want our MPs to ensure it remains a beautiful
home for people and nature.
If you have never taken part in a lobby of parliament before
I would strongly recommend it. It’s tiring, it’s a long day – but you feel you
are making a difference in solidarity with thousands of people who care about
the same things.
If you want to know more about the Climate Coalition just
follow this link http://www.theclimatecoalition.org/
