MPs go speed dating over climate chaos
-03/03/06
Conservative leader David Cameron, Env
MPs go speed dating over climate chaos
-03/03/06
Conservative leader David Cameron, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett and new Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, were among 60 MPs who have gone ‘carbon speed dating’ with 650 supporters in Westminster, at a lobby organised by Stop Climate Chaos, the new climate change coalition.
The politicians rotated around different ‘dating’ tables, listening to concerns expressed by climate change campaigners. Campaigners called on their parliamentary ‘dates’ to take action internationally to ensure greenhouse gas emissions peak and decline by 2015; for the British Government to commit to a Carbon Budget cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 3 per cent per year; and to help the world’s poorest countries tackle the impact of climate change.
Dr Elaine Storkey, Tearfund President and regular contributor to Radio Four’s Thought for the Day, delivered an inspirational rallying call to the 650-strong crowd before the dating got underway. Having recently returned from a visit to India and Sri Lanka with Tearfund, she drew attention to the devastating impact that climate change is already having on the poor.
“Rich countries are responsible for 55% of carbon emissions. Yet it’s the poor who are picking up the tab for the indulgence of the rich,” said Elaine Storkey. “The implications of climate change for the poor of our world are massive and yet it is almost as if we watch these things with glazed eyes in our culture.”
The lobby’s ‘dating’ format enabled feedback from both sides of the table. Stop Climate Chaos supporters enjoyed rating their dates and reporting back on which MPs proved to be passionate and committed to take action to tackle climate change. MP’s were also asked which was the most passionate, persuasive argument they’d heard from their carbon dates.
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Dr Ashok Sinha, Director of Stop Climate Chaos said: “Some MPs were clearly passionate about the planet and the need for action, others tried to seduce their carbon dates with warm words but failed to score a second date”.
The ‘carbon speed date’ event came the day after representatives from Stop Climate Chaos met with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown, Secretary of State for the Environment Margaret Beckett and Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn. The representatives, including Tearfund Chief Executive Matthew Frost, urged the government to take urgent and effective action on climate change both at home and internationally.
Stop Climate Chaos brings together a broad range of agencies seeking to tackle climate change, including environmental, faith based and international development organisations.
MPs go speed dating over climate chaos
-03/03/06
Conservative leader David Cameron, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett and new Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, were among 60 MPs who have gone ‘carbon speed dating’ with 650 supporters in Westminster, at a lobby organised by Stop Climate Chaos, the new climate change coalition.
The politicians rotated around different ‘dating’ tables, listening to concerns expressed by climate change campaigners. Campaigners called on their parliamentary ‘dates’ to take action internationally to ensure greenhouse gas emissions peak and decline by 2015; for the British Government to commit to a Carbon Budget cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 3 per cent per year; and to help the world’s poorest countries tackle the impact of climate change.
Dr Elaine Storkey, Tearfund President and regular contributor to Radio Four’s Thought for the Day, delivered an inspirational rallying call to the 650-strong crowd before the dating got underway. Having recently returned from a visit to India and Sri Lanka with Tearfund, she drew attention to the devastating impact that climate change is already having on the poor.
“Rich countries are responsible for 55% of carbon emissions. Yet it’s the poor who are picking up the tab for the indulgence of the rich,” said Elaine Storkey. “The implications of climate change for the poor of our world are massive and yet it is almost as if we watch these things with glazed eyes in our culture.”
The lobby’s ‘dating’ format enabled feedback from both sides of the table. Stop Climate Chaos supporters enjoyed rating their dates and reporting back on which MPs proved to be passionate and committed to take action to tackle climate change. MP’s were also asked which was the most passionate, persuasive argument they’d heard from their carbon dates.
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Dr Ashok Sinha, Director of Stop Climate Chaos said: “Some MPs were clearly passionate about the planet and the need for action, others tried to seduce their carbon dates with warm words but failed to score a second date”.
The ‘carbon speed date’ event came the day after representatives from Stop Climate Chaos met with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown, Secretary of State for the Environment Margaret Beckett and Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn. The representatives, including Tearfund Chief Executive Matthew Frost, urged the government to take urgent and effective action on climate change both at home and internationally.
Stop Climate Chaos brings together a broad range of agencies seeking to tackle climate change, including environmental, faith based and international development organisations.