Sent to the Evening Gazette in January 2021
Dear residents of Colchester,
A very important Private Members Bill is awaiting review in March in the Houses of Parliament – the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill. This was presented to MPs last year to set out an emergency plan for the UK to follow whilst strengthening environmental legislation in the UK. You may be aware that our government is far from reaching its targets for reducing our CO2 levels and has watered down departments and legislation protecting our wildlife and green spaces over the last decade in favour of developers and profit.
Many residents have written to their MPs in Colchester and beyond about the Bill and have received a “stock” reply; i.e. identical responses from each one. Whilst we appreciate our MPs are busy we believe that a stock response is not good enough in the face of an emergency and knowing what civilisation will have to face in the coming years. We want our MPs to look beyond the party line and really understand what is going on and support the Bill in March.
In 2019 the UK Parliament (though NOT the government) declared a climate emergency along with 75% of local councils including Colchester Borough and Tendring District Council. Many UK scientists and environmental groups and charities feel that the CEE Bill is a vital next step to bring better environmental protection and ensure the government steps up with an urgent strategy to achieve zero carbon by 2030.
There are already 90 MPs supporting the CEE Bill. Please spend a few minutes contacting your MP before Friday 26 March 2021. You can find out more about the Bill at https://www.ceebill.uk and find resources and letters received from our local MPs at https://climateletters.org. They will have to take notice if enough of us write to them!
Yours
Lisa Cross, Rosie Dodds, Leslie Bell, Clare Smee, Juliet Heller, Robin Woosey, Doug Selway, Ginny Waters, Tim Morris, Elia Valentini
climateletters 