Speak Up on June 17th

So the election is over for another five years, and wasn’t it good to see issues of the environment and climate change featuring so highly in the political agenda and the election debates? You didn’t notice that? No, come to think of it, neither did I…

That needs to change. Professor Guy McPherson from the University of Arizona was absolutely right when he said, ‘if you think the economy is more important than the environment, try counting your money while holding your breath’. The economy, the NHS, education, immigration and so on all happen within the context of the wider natural world, and if the environment around us breaks down then it will directly impact all the other things we also care so much about.

So we need to change the political climate, and one way by which we do that is by telling our MPs that we want them to act in ways that look after this world. In particular that means taking action on climate change.

Now is the time to do it, as MPs are beginning to settle in for the next five years, and here is the perfect opportunity to do so. Thousands of us are going to Westminster on June 17^th to meet our MPs and ask them to take action on climate change this year.

The day starts with two ecumenical services at 12 noon: one at St Margaret’s, Parliament Square, and the other at the Emmanuel Centre, Westminster. I’ll be leading the one at the Emmanuel Centre, along with the wonderful Andy Flannagan who will be leading worship, and people from a host of different organisations and denominations, so come and join us!

Then we will all head off to the Houses of Parliament, where we will stand in a lobby line, with our constituencies in alphabetical order, and our MPs will come out and meet us. I have already told my MP, Andrew Tyrie, that I will be there and am looking forward to meeting him and talking with him face-to-face.

So you need to be there too. Book it in your diary. Take the day off work (I know mid-week is inconvenient but it is the day when most MPs will be available). Tell your MP you will be there and want to see her/him. Get some friends to come with you. And if you see me, do come and say hello!