A Green Christian Call To Support ‘Hope for the Future’

Hope may seem contradictory, as news of ecological decline mounts: but our faith inspires us with an eternal hope of renewal. In GC’s ‘Storm of Hope’ we refuse, then, to remain in despair – but we also refuse to ignore the struggle we face. We seek to hope with our eyes open.

hftf And so GC has decided to support ‘Hope for the Future’, a nationwide letter-writing campaign initiated by the North East and Yorkshire Anglican Diocesan Environment Officers Group.

As political parties prepare manifestos for the planned 2015 General Election, this is an important opportunity to reawaken a political response to climate change. We still need committed national and global policy: particularly in light of the new IPCC report.

Could you send the following draft letter to your Member of Parliament (MP)? If you can manage to write to the Parliamentary Candidates of other parties as well that is even better.  And tell ‘Hope for the Future’ that you have written:- use the Report Back form at www.hftf.org.uk/report-your-activities/  or contact Hope for the Future at hopeftf@gmail.com 27, Meadow Bank Avenue, Sheffield S7 1PB: telephone 0114 258 5248.  Go to the ‘Hope for the Future’ website for more information and other ideas for action: http://www.hftf.org.uk

Please feel free to adapt this letter if you wish. You may wish to add a personal note at the start of the letter eg ‘I am a member of  ……………..  church in your constituency.’

If you don’t know who your MP is go to https://www.writetothem.com/ put in your postcode and it will give you the name and contact details.

To find out names and websites for parliamentary candidates in your constituency go this blogspot which is uploading the information as it comes in over the next few months. http://ukgeneralelection2015.blogspot.co.uk/p/candidate-selections-for-2015-general.html

 

A model letter to politicians – please feel free to adapt this letter or use shorter version available at www.hftf.org.uk/to-respond-to-my-mp/


Dear   ………………………………….

 

Climate Change Policy for the 2015 General Election.
I am deeply concerned about humanity’s wholly inadequate efforts to respond to climate change: particularly in recent years, with climate change now so sidelined. Momentum lost since the failure of the 2009 UNFCCC talks in Copenhagen needs to be regained. Five years will soon have elapsed since the failed Copenhagen conference, five years in which climate change has receded into the political wilderness.

As a Christian I want you and your party to tackle climate change with commitment and determination so that all God’s species and all generations to come will have a future in which they can flourish.

At the very least, please press for your party to show in its Manifesto for the 2015 General Election how it will, as required by law, reach the target of an 80% reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 giving precise targets and dates. This will give the UK a stronger hand in the vital negotiations for an international agreement.

The government’s independent advisor, the Committee on Climate Change, has recommended legally binding carbon budget targets to reduce emissions in the UK up to 2027, and has demonstrated that this level of reduction is feasible without reducing the economic competitiveness of the UK against other countries. They also recommend actions to be taken now to ensure that technologies and investment are in place to allow for further reductions to be made between 2030 and 2050 to achieve the 80% target.

This in itself may not be sufficient The IPCC Report of September 2013 indicates that the science really requires a 90% reduction by 2030. I realise that this would be very challenging politically but that does not alter the science and our moral obligation to act.

Please confirm that you have passed this request to your 2015 Manifesto Planning Group, and keep me informed of what position your party is taking on Climate Change at the coming election.

Yours sincerely,

…………………………………………………

 

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Author: | Date: 18 July, 2014 | Category: Action Climate Change | Comments: 0


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