Big Climate Connection: A big thank you

MPs throughout the country faced lobbying from countless groups of CAFOD supporters on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 November. As part of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, our campaigners took to their constituencies to ask for a strong Green Energy Bill this autumn and for a fair international climate deal in December’s international talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Our partners around the world are telling us how climate change is already affecting their lives. Changing weather patterns are leading to increased drought, flooding and crop failure. And they will continue to affect the poorest people in developing countries the most severely.

In Sheffield Hallam, the Deputy Prime Minister’s constituency, Helen Desforges said, “I made the point to Nick Clegg that CAFOD was seriously concerned that the effects of climate change might put long-term development into reverse for many countries – a point on which he strongly concurred.”

CAFOD’s Liverpool Diocesan Manager Chris Lappine said of the lobby that she attended in Southport, “We were delighted by the turnout – it shows that climate change is a problem that many people in Southport care passionately about.”

In the Southampton Test constituency, Mike Willcox said, “We gave our MP Dr Alan Whitehead a letter signed by people at the meeting asking for his support on the Big Climate Connection policy asks. He agreed to write to David Cameron and Chris Huhne, both reflecting our concerns and adding his own support.”

New Forest East MP, Dr Julian Lewis was met by Clare Davies and her strident group. Dr Lewis stated, “The Stop Climate Chaos coalition has sent a strong delegation, making a powerful argument which I shall certainly convey to the Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne and the Prime Minister.”

Thank you to all CAFOD supporters who have lobbied or are still planning to lobby their MP as part of the Big Climate Connection. Because of you, your MP knows how important it is for them to take action on climate change.

It’s worth using this opportunity to start a long-term dialogue with your MP. It will ensure they update you on how they’re taking your climate change questions forward and it will ready them for future campaign actions you choose to take.

For pictures and more stories of lobbies around England and Wales, or to join your local lobby go to cafod.org.uk/climateconnection

If you would like to sign up to become an MP Correspondent and receive regular briefings from CAFOD on key issues, go to cafod.org.uk/mpc