This newsletter goes out at a time when many of us are experiencing challenges heightened and brought about by the current COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts of coronavirus are not felt equally and the sharp edges of social inequality are shown. Nevertheless, people are coming together to support the most vulnerable, set up mutual aid networks and adapt to this new way of living.

There are many parallels with the climate crisis, whose impacts are also experienced disproportionately and requires international cooperation and commitment to overcome. We cannot return to business-as-normal after this COVID pandemic, and we must continue work together and stand in solidarity with those on these frontlines.

In the newsletter this month:

SCA Monthly Meeting Online! Tuesday 21st April
(7pm, link will be sent out on the day)

Join us next Tuesday for Sheffield Climate Alliance Live! As we are not able to hold our normal monthly meeting face-to-face, we're curating an online event with updates on ongoing campaigns, ideas sharing and support. Look out for another email from us on the day itself with details of how to join in: it will be easy just clicking a link and typing a password.

Our planned training session with Hope for the Future on how to lobby your local councillor is postponed but not cancelled. Hope for the Future are researching how best to lobby under lockdown and will be delivering a bespoke session online at a later date. We’ll be sure to let you know once details are confirmed.

 

Two months ago, Sheffield Climate Alliance launced its Slack Workspace: an online communication platform where we can collaborate on our climate campaigns. As we enter our forth week of lockdown, our ability to adapt to this situation and organise remotely is more important than ever.

If you'd like to join the SCA Slack workspace, just click the link below. Each working group has its own 'channel', so join the groups you are interested and post a messae to say hello and get brought up to speed on the state of the campaign.

https://join.slack.com/t/sheffclimatealliance/shared_invite/zt-ccubyp5x-CtcTqgAdhvucgrXPBBF2QQ

If you need any help navigating the workspace, go to the #slack-help channel to post a question and look in SCA Slack How To Guide (see: tinyurl.com/SCASlackUserGuide). As always, if you have any queries, don't hesitate to get in touch with the SCA backoffice here: info@sheffieldclimatealliance.net

Also, check out 350's guide for more ideas on how to keep organising around the climate crisis during the COVID pandmeic: https://350.org/coronavirus-organizing/?_ga=2.178691492.1612533692.1586783796-723869429.1586783796

There has been an incredible community response to the difficulties of COVID-19 in Sheffield. There is still a huge need for volunteers and support - here are some ways you can get involved:

The international climate change summit that was scheduled to be hosted in Glasgow this Autumn has been postponed due to Coronavirus. The Climate Coalition have issued the following statement:

“Whenever it takes place, COP26 will be a moment for governments to come together and reboot the spirit of collaboration and cooperation: the climate fight is a massive challenge but also a huge opportunity to build a safer, healthier and more resilient global economy. The COVID-19 crisis is an example of how vulnerable countries, societies and economies are to existential threats and why countries need to work together to tackle these global threats. With recovery from COVID-19 front of mind, we can’t forget, the clock is still ticking in the race to limit global warming to 1.5˚C. Diplomacy and action to reduce emissions must continue, including putting action to decarbonise economies at the heart of economic stimulus efforts in response to the COVID-19 crisis. UK leadership this year remains a priority.”

In the middle of the ongoing Corona crisis, while the world struggles against the virus and countless workers are losing their incomes, the aviation industry is demanding huge and unconditional taxpayer-backed bailouts. This must not allow the aviation sector to return to business as usual after Covid-19 has been defeated: any public money has to ensure that workers and the climate are put first. Stay Grounded and Possible have launched a petition to the Chancellor of the Exchequer demanding just this.

Find out more and add your name here: https://www.change.org/p/open-letter-to-the-chancellor-of-the-exchequer-savepeoplenotplanes-red-lines-for-aviation-bailouts

In accordance with social distancing and lockdown measures, face-to-face events have been cancelled until further notice. Nevertheless, there is plenty happening online that you can get involved with!