A Climate Change Message from Reading to Copenhagen

For the Prime Minister the Right Hon. Gordon Brown MP

12th November 2009

We, the undersigned people and groups from the Reading area, call on our elected MPs to serve the long-term interests of future generations of residents and the local environment, by actively supporting the strongest possible action against climate change this year and beyond.

We urge them to recognise and act on the imminent dangers of predicted climate change to the health and well-being of the people, wildlife and environment of Reading and the wider world.

We therefore call on our representatives to persuade the Prime Minister to lead an urgent and considered UK Government and European Union effort at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

This must aim to limit global warming below 2˚C through the following necessary measures:

  • A binding target of 40% cuts in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 relative to 1990 levels in the rich industrialised nations, and similar levels of reductions in other greenhouse gases;
  • Emissions cuts to be made in our own countries and to apply to all economic sectors, in line with the origins of greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Sufficient financial assistance to be offered to the developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to adopt more sustainable paths of development.

We call on all parts of society to work together to make this low-carbon transition affordable, socially just and environmentally beneficial.

This switch to a sustainable low-carbon economy must entail cuts in our consumption, but we welcome the opportunity it presents for a more socially just society, improving the quality of life for us and people across the globe.

The Climate Change Message from Reading was signed by:
Greater Reading Environmental Network
Reading Christian Ecology Link
True Food Community Co-op
Reading Islamic Trustees for the Environment
Friends of the Earth, Reading
Reading Energy Pioneers
Reading Faith Forum
Berkshire Greenpeace
Newtown Globe
BTCV (Thames and Chilterns Region)
Reading International Solidarity Centre
Southern Ethiopia Peoples Action Group (SEPAG)
Reading Peace Group
Reading Rising Tide
The Co-operative Group, Surrey & Berkshire Cttee.
Earley Environmental Group
Reading Cycle Campaign
Oxford Road Community Garden
Quaker Living Witness Project
Caversham One World Group
Reading Muslim Council
St John Bosco Climate Change Action Group
The Mustard Tree Foundation
St. Paul and St Barnabas
Latin Link
Econet Conservation Group
St. Catherine’s Church
Redlands GLOBE
The Salvation Army, Reading West
Reading Trade Justice Group
Cornwell Community Church
Reading Green Spirit
St John and St Stephen’s Church, Reading
Reading Churches Men’s Group
Earley St. Nicholas
Caversham GLOBE
Caversham Baptist Church
RCN
Reading Street Pastors
Parish of St. Luke with St. Bartholomew
Reading Peace Works
St. Saviour’s Reading
HOPE ASIA
Brookside Church
Reading Vineyard Church
Reading Amnesty Group
Wycliffe Baptist Church
Open Door Coffee Shop
Faith Christian Group
The Rehab Project
Earley St Nicolas Church
Reading Lifeline
Reading UNISION branch
St Barnabas Church, Emmer Green