Climate rebels call on MPs to speak up
PROTESTERS from Rochdale’s Extinction Rebellion group took to the constituency offices of the two MPs representing the borough, urging them to speak out against the ‘global climate emergency.’
Members of the international climate action group delivered letters to Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd and Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson on Thursday, calling on them to ‘come clean with constituents’ on environmental and ecological issues on June 25.
The group says the recent floods caused by torrential downpour in parts of Rochdale are just one example of the possible consequences of global climate change.
The Rev Mark Coleman, former Dean of Rochdale who was arrested last year at an Extinction Rebellion demonstration blocking a London bridge, said: “We’ve seen now that it is possible to take action in the face of a crisis.
“This is the right time for massive investment in green technologies in the north of England, and to use government support for industries that are doing the right thing - not bailing out businesses that are destroying our future.”
The Rev Coleman, 60, said the recent flooding and fires on nearby moors were ‘immediate warnings’ of the dangers posed to Rochdalians as well as millions further afield as a result of climate change. He added: “It would be lovely to receive a reply from our MPs. I have had a conversation with Tony Lloyd and he has said he would be pleased to meet with us for a talk, so I look forward to that happening.”
The letters were delivered to the MPs on the day the Committee on Climate
Change, the Government’s environment watchdog, published a report containing a series of urgent recommendations for the Government if the UK is to hit its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Protester Guy Otten, a retired lawyer from Littleborough, said: “We are facing a global crisis that is set to be far more deadly than Covid-19, and it’s already destroying livelihoods and taking lives across the world. Our recent floods show us that we can’t see this climate change as someone else’s problem. A target of 2050 is gambling with our lives and our future. And emissions are still increasing!”
Extracts from the letter read: “We urge you to publicly speak out on the Government’s failings on the Climate and Ecological Emergency. We have a very small window of opportunity during the recovery from the current pandemic to make the necessary changes to secure our future. We implore you to show leadership, to act decisively, to listen to expert advice and not let the lessons learned form the current Covid-19 crisis go to waste.” Members of the group followed social distancing guidelines during their action, with other local activists unable to attend due to ongoing shielding during lockdown.