Southwark Friends of the Earth - Climate Change (SouthwarkFOE Climate Change)

Southwark Friends of the Earth - Climate Change

CLIMATE CHANGE

Southwark Friends of the Earth have been active in participating with the National Friends of the Earth 'Big Ask' campaign to combat climate change as well as on a local level. In last years Southwark FoE have:

Held a climate crisis summit attended by representatives from a range of audiences including the 3 MPs for Southwark, councillors, assembly members and organisations across the borough which has provided the impetus to set up a climate crisis steering group.
Met all our MPs and, if not had as fulsome support as we would have liked, we have engaged them in the climate change campaign.
Spearheaded the Big Ask campaign in Croydon, delivering over 200 postcards in two outings and helping make contacts that will hopefully develop a local group there.
Attended the carbon dating event in Westminster, where we could directly lobby MPs and challenge them on various aspects of government policy.
Produced a leaflet with Southwark Volunteer Centre outlining ways to reduce energy consumption.
As well as gathering signatures, sending emails, and generally spreading the word.

Over the next year Southwark FOE will be working on:

Setting up the climate crisis steering group and help it carry the aims of the campaign into homes and businesses throughout the borough.
Forging closer links with local schools & groups
Increasing coverage of climate change in the local press, helping to highlight the changes that need to be made in Southwark

Jim Paterson is the main contact for the Climate Change campaign
Email southwarkfoe@btopenworld.com for more information.

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CLIMATE CHANGE OVERVIEW

Global climate change is the single biggest environmental threat facing the planet.
There is much that can be done to stop catastrophic climate change but decisive action is needed from governments and industry now.

What causes climate change?

Climate change or global warming is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (C02) and other polluting gases in our atmosphere.

The gases trap heat by forming a blanket around the Earth - like the glass of a greenhouse.

Once released the greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for many years. As they build up, the planet's temperature rises.

Greenhouse gases are released by burning fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - and by cutting down forests.