Environmental campaigners, faith groups and trade unionists are among the many contributors to a week of activities during 15th – 21st November 2015 in Brighton & Hove and Worthing, addressing climate change. “Time to Act Week” will highlight the need for more urgent global and local action on climate change in the run-up to the UN climate talks in Paris in December. http://brightoncan.org/
The activities, co-ordinated by the recently formed Brighton Climate Action Network – ‘Brighton CAN!’ – will include film screenings, public meetings, workshops and other activities.
The week is part of a national and international mobilisation ahead of the United Nations’ “COP 21” Paris climate conference during 30th November – 11th December, which is tasked with agreeing measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and keep the global temperature rise within a critical 2 degree ceiling beyond which the planet would be vulnerable to run-away and unstoppable climate change. http://www.cop21paris.org/about/cop21
Film screenings include: “This Changes Everything” based on the widely acclaimed book by Naomi Klein, “How to Change the World” documenting the early days of Greenpeace, and Cowspiracy about the role of the dairy and meat industries. Discussions include: “Clean Energy Brighton”, “Trade Unionists in the Fight Against Climate Change” and “A Buddhist Punk view on Climate chaos” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuSt_ST4_U
On 16th November a multi-faith group of “walking pilgrims” will arrive in Brighton en route from London to Paris. Members of the public will be invited to join the short stretch from St John’s Church, London Road, to the United Reformed Church’s Brighthelm Centre in North Road.
The week will culminate on 21st November with a “Time to Act” Conference at Brighton’s Synergy Centre, in West Street, launched by Caroline Lucas MP and involving representatives from other political parties and a variety of campaign groups. This will be followed by a “Celebration for Action” benefit gig with local bands, including ‘King Porter Stomp’
Ken Montague, Secretary of Brighton CAN, said, “Globally 2015 was the hottest year ever recorded, warmer than the previous record-breaking years in 2013 and 2014. Our events will raise awareness of the seriousness of climate change and the need for successful outcomes in Paris as well as highlighting actions we can take nationally, locally and individually to reduce emissions.”
He added: “Human induced climate change is already affecting people around the world, with protracted droughts, floods, rising sea levels, increasingly intense hurricanes and super-typhoons. It’s time we told our political leaders that it’s time to act!”
Hannah Barker, from the Brighton CAN steering group said: “We have many excellent projects in and around Brighton which offer climate solutions, whether that’s community owned solar energy, cycling promotion schemes or waste food and furniture re-use. Our week will showcase some of these as well as inspiring campaigns to keep fossil fuels in the ground.”
Supporting organisations range from environmental campaigns like Friends of the Earth, HASL (Hanover Action for Sustainable Living) and Grandparents Against Climate Change to local enterprises like BHESCo and the Brighton Energy Co-op and community projects like to Real Junk Food Collective and Bike Train.
The full programme of the week’s events can be found on the Brighton CAN website at www.BrightonCAN.org and the facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/BrightonCAN/.
After Time to Act Week, tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in a People’s March for Climate, Justice and Jobs in London on 29th November and Brighton CAN will be organising coaches from Brighton. http://climatejusticejobs.org.uk/
On 6th December, the Network will be hosting 125 campaigners cycling from London to the Paris talks. https://www.facebook.com/events/465257083628311/