The Climate Coalition

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/