Councils all across the UK have already declared a climate emergency including Oxford and Reading and we call on councils across The Chilterns to join them.
Humans have caused irreversible climate change to Planet Earth; the impact of this is already being felt around the world. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warned that we have eleven years left to limit this damage by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs to change its laws and infrastructure to make low-carbon living easier and the new norm.
Despite the UK passing climate change act in 2008 we are still on track for a 3 or 4 degrees warming & UK greenhouse gas emissions are still rising. Our national government has failed to initiate the transition so it is now clear that we must call on our local councils* to take the measures necessary to generate momentum for change.
We must do whatever is necessary to limit global temperatures to below 1.5 degrees warming to ensure a livable world for younger generations. We therefore call on current and future council bodies in The Chilterns to:
- Declare a Climate Emergency
- Commit to making all local councils net zero carbon by 2030.
- Develop a clear plan within 6 months for a route towards being net zero carbon
- Call on the UK Government to provide the necessary support and resources to enable effective carbon reductions.
It’s time to declare a Climate Emergency in The Chilterns. Its time to work together to secure our common future. Add your name below:
*councils in the Chiltern area will be switching to a new Unitary Authority in 2020. We call on current Parish, Town, District and County Councils as well as the new Unitary Authority when it is formed.