Open letter to PM calls for climate crisis to be top of government agenda

More than 100 faith leaders and heads of charities have written to the new prime minister asking her to put the interconnected climate, nature and cost of living crises at the top of the government agenda.

Among the signatories was The Right Reverend John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, and spokesperson for the environment for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, whose residence at Wardley Hall is the home of our very own Laudato Si’ Centre.

The open letter presented by The Climate Coalition and the Wildlife and Countryside Link reflects the common concern for the future of our planet from people of all faiths and backgrounds across the nation.

It said: “Our vision is for a country and a world where children walk to school breathing fresh air instead of dangerous fumes, and their parents think about the future with hope instead of fear. We want brilliant engineers, builders, farmers and local people across the UK to be supported to roll out the solutions to make our homes warmer, our transport cleaner and cheaper, and to restore our natural environment to once again be full of life. We want the UK to lead and invest in real climate action around the world.”

With supporting research highlighting that the climate crisis is a “core concern for the overwhelming majority of the general public”, the signatories lay out key changes they hope to see, including immediate support for families struggling to pay bills, rapid investment to make our homes warmer, removing our reliance on gas and at least tripling well-sited renewable energy by 2030.

The letter also calls for more action on reversing the decline of our wildlife and protecting 30% of our land and sea for wildlife by 2030, an increase in support for famers and communities to move towards climate and nature-friendly farming and fisheries, securing a positive global deal for COP15 (UN biodiversity conference in Montreal) and supporting communities on the frontline of the climate crisis.

It ends: “We urge you and your new cabinet to set out and deliver the bold plan we need to tackle the climate, nature and cost of living crises. Time is running out.”

Read the full letter online now by clicking here.