BETWEEN September 13–20, people across the UK took part in a mass lobby to demand stronger climate leadership from their MPs.
The event is part of the ‘Act Now, Change Forever’ campaign, organised by The Climate Coalition. Thousands of people from across the UK are making sure their MP hears from their community, sharing stories, highlighting local impacts, and demanding real climate leadership.
Philip Evans, senior campaigner for Greenpeace UK, has said: “Storms are happening and getting worse each year because emissions from fossil fuel companies are ramping up the climate crisis in Wales and all around the world – meanwhile fossil fuel companies are making billions in profits.
“Fossil fuel companies caused these costs, so it should be them paying up – not stretched Welsh councils, households or business owners.
“The UK government must bring in bold new polluter taxes on fossil fuel giants to generate the funds needed to protect communities at home and abroad from storms and flooding.”
In Swansea, local residents came together for a community meeting with their MP, Torsten Bell, to show support for fair, ambitious climate solutions, like taxes and levies on fossil fuel companies, to protect people and nature.
Four constituents attended the event, who are also representatives of Swansea Greenpeace, including Coordinator Alison Broady, Robert Yarr, Patrick Driscall and Philip Jones. They shared how the climate crisis is already affecting people in Swansea – and why bold action is needed.
During the event, the MP listened to constituents’ concerns and although as a minister could not commit to any specific action, seemed committed to tackling environmental issues.
Local organiser, Alison Broady, said: “This event was about making our voices heard. We need to know our MP is with us when it comes to tackling the climate crisis – not sitting on the fence.
“MPs in Wales are already getting behind this idea such as Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, who has already signed a public pledge to push for the biggest polluters to pay their fair share towards the costs of climate change.“
Residents hope their MP will now take this message seriously and commit to bold, community-led climate action that delivers for both people and the planet.
