SECA newsletter #5 - June 2019

The Climate Emergency movement is on a roll!  Nationally, the total number of primary and secondary councils that have declared an emergency has reached 88, with Welwyn & Hatfield, Birmingham, and Northumberland all declaring in the last two weeks.  In the South East, Kent County Council passing a climate motion in May (here's a report).  And hot off the press, we have great news from Mole Valley, in Surrey, too.  It passed a climate motion this Tuesday. 

Next in line is Horsham District Council - we have an urgent call to action below for everyone living in Horsham District, which is voting on a motion next Wednesday.  In July it's the turn of Thanet, Eastbourne and Worthing.  So let's keep this roll going - it is only happening thanks to the commitment and enthusiasm of people like you!

Mole Valley success 
On 18th June, an extra-ordinary meeting of Mole Valley District Council voted unanimously to declare a Climate Emergency.  It resolved to:

1. Declare a Climate Emergency.
2. Pledge to make Mole Valley District Council and its contractors carbon neutral by 2030, or earlier
   if possible, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.
3. Lobby Surrey County Council and the Government to provide resources that will make possible the 2030 target date set by scientists for total carbon neutrality.
4. Work cross-party within Mole Valley District Council, and with local businesses, land owners, community organisations and residents to make a positively beneficial impact on the environment and biodiversity in the District.
5. Place climate change on agendas to be discussed at appropriate committees – to build strategies and
   action plans with timescales.
6. Report actions undertaken to address this emergency to Council twice a year and inform Council of planned actions for the next period.
7. Use these actions to help create jobs and a stronger community, along with increased wellbeing and
   a sustainable future.

Congratulations to the Dorking Climate Emergency Group, which was instrumental in getting this through!  Several other Surrey districts are in their sights;  contact Pat Smith for more info.

Horsham Call to Action
Next up it's Horsham District Council.  A Climate Emergency motion has been proposed by the Lib Dem Group, seconded by the Green Party.  This is coming up for debate on Weds 26th June and we're hoping to mobilise as many local residents as we can to:

• Email or write to your local councillors (especially Conservative ones, since the other parties are already on board) expressing your support for the motion. As usual, it's best to use your own words, keep it short and sweet, and the tone constructive rather than confrontational.  Here's a list of councillors' contact details.
• Come along and lend your support at the Council meeting, which starts at 6pm at the Council HQ at Parkside, Horsham.  We're convening at 5.30pm at the Bandstand behind the Conservatory Café, in Horsham Park.  It's a short walk from there. We've been advised to keep the mood calm and respectful - but we want to pack the public gallery, so councillors are left in no doubt about the level of support for the motion.

Thanet's next:  the local Labour Party has put a Climate Emergency motion forward to Thanet District Council, backed by the Greens.  It's up for debate on Thursday July 11th, with the meeting starting at 7pm at the Council Offices in Cecil Street, Margate.  Support from the public would be greatly welcomed.

Then it's Eastbourne:  Eastbourne & District Friends of the Earth have been working with Eastbourne Borough Council on a Climate Emergency motion, which is due to be debated on Weds July 17th.  If you would like to support them on the day, they will be gathering outside the Town Hall in Grove Road as Councillors come in for the meeting, which starts at 6pm.  Contact info.eastbournefoe@gmail.com for more info.

Then Worthing: Just along the coast, a petition started by Jo Paul of Worthing Green Party for Worthing Borough Council to declare a climate emergency reached the 1000 signature threshold.  Jo has therefore been invited to present the proposed motion at the next full council meeting on 23rd July.  She’s put a call out for others to come along to lend their support. The meeting starts at 6.30pm at Worthing Town Hall, Worthing, BN11 1HA.

In other news....

West Sussex launches climate pledge:  West Sussex County Council have launched an online climate pledge aimed at the general public. "The pledge focuses on key steps we can all take to limit the impact we are having on the environment and help keep our county protected for generations to come."  Here's the link.  425 have signed up so far - 850,000 W.Sussex residents still to go, so do sign up if you live in the County.

Surrey Climate Commission launched: last night marked the inaugural meeting of a brand new initiative that aims to bring together universities, businesses, the wildlife trust, churches, and the County Council, to take a leadership role in addressing climate change.  Congratulations to Councillor Jonathan Essex for getting this off the ground - we look forward to news of how it develops.  It could be an interesting model for others to copy.

CAGNE launch a "fly less" pledge:  We all know the flying is the biggie when it comes to our personal carbon footprints.  SECA members, CAGNE (Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions) have decided to do something about it and have set up a Pledge to Fly Less website. The initiative is being launched at 1.30pm on June 26th outside Portcullis House, Westminster, as part of the Mass Lobby event (see below).

Kinder Living shout out for volunteers:  after the success of the Kinder Living Home Show earlier this year in Horsham, they are looking to build their team of enthusiastic volunteers, helped by cake, prize and red wine, it seems!  Click here to find out more about what's involved, and contact Jeanette Mercer if you're interested.
 

Dates for your diary

Just a reminder of some other upcoming events:

Weds 26th June: The Time is Now - Climate Coalition mass lobby at Westminster - this is shaping up to be a big event, with all kinds of groups and individuals taking part. The idea is to get every MP to meet with concerned local constituents.  Sign up here if you'd like to join them. Starts at 1pm.

Sun 30^th June:  Billingshurst Carnival Climate Emergency/Action March - Come and join the parade!  Carrie Cort and Sussex Green Living are organising a float, with EV vehicles, cyclists, and creative banners of all kinds.  The procession will leave Jengers Mead about 12 noon (EV cars need to arrive earlier - the more the merrier!). Carrie and her family live just outside Billingshurst and have a field where people joining the march are welcome to camp the night before, bring your own food for a shared supper.  Register here or contact Carrie by email here - especially if you can help with coordinating the event.

6^th July: Sussex Green Living Share, Care and Repair Fair - in the Amphitheatre (Carfax) Horsham Market on Saturday 6th July 9am - 5pm. A joyous celebration of the caring, creative and environmentally concerned Horsham community in which we live. More info here.   

If you've got events you'd like to flag up in future newsletters, email us and let us know.   And don't forget to post them on the SECA Facebook group.