Residents who have become increasingly concerned about the climate emergency have taken their protests to the doorsteps of Croydon’s four MPs.
The time is now: some of the Croydon climate group protesting outside the constituency office of Environment Secretary Steve Reed
Campaigners from the Croydon Green Network rounded off their lobbying by meeting Croydon East MP Natasha Irons, ahead of the Climate and Nature Bill having its second reading in Parliament tomorrow.
The CAN Bill is a landmark piece of environmental legislation, with cross-party support in the Commons and House of Lords, as it seeks to address the full extent of the climate-nature crisis in line with the most up-to-date science.
Dr Amy McDonnell, from Zero Hour, the campaign team supporting the Bill, said, “The Climate and Nature Bill is our last, best chance to ensure the UK rrises to the challenge of the crisis we’re facing.
“Previous governments have already pledged alongside 196 other nations to achieve the 2030 targets that the Bill would make law.
“At present these targets aren’t legally binding and our existing legislation isn’t robust enough to ensure they’re met. The CAN Bill, written by scientists, will enable Britain to do everything it has promised and ensure a liveable future for all.”
Catherine Drake Wilkes, who lives in Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s Streatham and Croydon North constituency, said, “We have great expectations of Steve Reed MP, as Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to put his positive words about tackling the climate and ecological challenges into action.
“We call on him to lend support to the CAN Bill on January 24.
“With great power comes great responsibility. We trust he will not duck this. We cannot afford the years of inaction under the Conservatives to be continued under Labour.”
Bel Guild, a member of Croydon Climate Action and a Croydon West resident said, “My MP, Sarah Jones, engaged enthusiastically with ‘The Time Is Now’ climate group. As her new constituents, we hope she supports the CAN Bill and continues to engage with residents’ concerns about the impacts of a warming planet and degrading environment now and for future generations. The time really is now!”
MP’s support: Natasha Irons (third from left), the Croydon East MP, told camopaigners that she backs the CAN Bill
Tim Coombe, of Croydon Community Energy, who lives in Croydon South where Tory Chris Philp is the MP, said, “The last Conservative government completely failed to seriously address the twin crises we face.
“We call on Chris Philp, as Shadow Home Secretary, to take advantage of his position of power to engage with the science set out clearly in the CAN Bill, and to use his influence to ensure the Conservative Party acknowledges the perilous position for our planet and mankind, and shifts to support the CAN Bill.”
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