A Trustee of Norfolk Wildlife Trust travelled to Westminster to meet with local MPs including Henry Bellingham MP at one of the largest mass lobbies of politicians in recent history.
Heather Tyrrell made the journey to London on Wednesday 26 June. There, she joined thousands of people from around the country – from school children, young people and wildlife volunteers to farmers, councillors and doctors – urging MPs to back immediate action for wildlife and climate change.
The meeting took place following a call last month from the government’s climate advisers for the UK to set a more ambitious target for eliminating the emissions driving dangerous temperature rises and ahead of Parliament debating a new Environment Bill. The Wildlife Trusts believe that the bill must deliver ambitious targets for wildlife and a legally-binding Nature Recovery Network.
Heather, who has been a Trustee for two years, said:
“I feel empowered to have been a part of it, supporting the climate concerns of young people and children. Wildlife decline and the climate crisis is not something that will wait, and it was amazing to see so many people from so many walks of life unite to call on our politicians to take urgent action on the issue.”
The event, which took place in the area surrounding the Palace of Westminster, was organised by campaign groups The Climate Coalition and Greener UK. The two coalitions consist of more than 130 organisations representing over 15 million people – ranging from aid agencies such as CAFOD and Christian Aid to community groups such as the Women’s Institute and conservation bodies such as The Wildlife Trusts.
Sir Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) came out to the Embankment to speak to constituents, and Heather also joined a group of constituents from King’s Lynn for an audience with Henry Bellingham MP (N/W Norfolk). He has since written to the group capturing the points made around the timescale of 2050 for zero emissions being too far away, single use plastics, air travel and building regulations.
The Time is Now mass lobby took place following numerous reports emphasising the need for urgent action. The most recent, from the IPBES, showed that nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely.
The government has said the UK will set a target of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to ‘net zero’ by 2050. Campaigners argue the government should show greater ambition and set a 2045 date in recognition of falling costs, technological developments and the need for urgency.
Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, Stephanie Hilborne OBE says:
“It’s powerful to see twelve thousand people from all over the UK and all walks of life come to wake-up Westminster. They have made it clear that now is the time for a real change of direction. Rapid action is needed to rescue our climate and our wildlife. With over 200 MPs meeting their constituents we hope the message on the need to take immediate action has been heard loud and clear.”
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