Today, a book of letters from the people of Staffordshire will be handed to the Prime Minister. The letters express the people’s views on what the government should be doing to address climate and nature emergencies.
The book of letters has been compiled by Climate Matters Staffordshire (CMS), a network of individuals and organisations from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent which aims to raise awareness of the climate and ecological emergencies and the need for comprehensive action on these issues in the next decade.
Michaela Fyson, CMS Chair, said: “During the weeks leading up to COP27, we met people at community events and settings from Lichfield to Leek via Stoke-on-Trent. They filled this book with their views on what they thought the Government should be doing about the climate and nature emergencies. Contributors were of all ages, the youngest only five and the oldest over 90. They represent many ethnic, religious, political and economic backgrounds.
“They wrote about their fears for their grandchildren, the need to stop all fossil fuel investment, the need to protect nature, the need to insulate homes to reduce fuel poverty and reduce emissions, and many other related topics.
“Perhaps most movingly a group of 12 year olds told their teacher that the adults in charge have a responsibility to act now because by the time ‘we kids’ are in charge, it will be far too late. Why can they see this at 12, yet the grown- ups can’t?”
Jonathon Porritt, CMS Patron, said: “What exactly will it take to get the politicians to align policy with the climate-induced horror story that now surrounds us at every turn? Perhaps the simple, uncomplicated truth of young people telling us as it really is? Let’s hope so.”
The book, “Tell the Prime Minister, Voices of Staffordshire on Climate Change”, will be handed to the Prime Minister by Jo Gideon, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central.
