A GROUP of Hampshire parents have written to politicians standing for election across the county asking them to outline their plans to address the climate emergency.
Climate action group Parents for Future Hampshire, a branch of Parents For Future UK, has reached out to all of Hampshire’s parliamentary candidates via an open letter.
The letter outlines why the parents are “scared for what their children’s future will hold”, citing statistics about issues such as water scarcity, soil infertility and the British species which are threatened with extinction, as well as the increase in global temperatures and extreme weather events.
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The letter says: “77 per cent of scientists expect we will reach at least 2.5 degrees of global heating. This exceeds the 1.5-degree Paris Agreement international target that the UK signed up to and will have disastrous consequences for life on Earth.
“Southern Water say they are already experiencing the negative impacts of climate change and, if no action is taken, by 2030 there could be a 50 per cent deficit between supply and demand for water in the South East.
“This is urgent. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable. The current situation is terrifying and working to protect a liveable planet should be at the top of everyone’s agenda. We look at our children and we are scared for what their future will hold.’
“As parents we refuse to look away, we refuse to give up and we will do everything we can for the lives and future of our children. We are inspired and find hope in all the other parents and caregivers we know and see around the world who are also taking action to protect the lives of their children and all children. But we can't do it alone.
“We need help from leaders in politics and corporations to ensure the safety and well-being of our children’s futures and of Planet Earth, our only home. As a potential community leader it is your responsibility, your job, to act for the people in your constituency and as climate change, affects absolutely everything, you need to have a robust, clear and impactful plan to address these issues.”
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Parents for Future Hampshire is a family-friendly climate action group, made-up of parents, carers, grandparents and more.
The group runs regular meetings around the county, with their next meetings to take place on Saturday, July 13 in Southampton and Friday, July 26 in Winchester. More information can be found on PFF Hampshire’s Instagram page.
The General Election will take place on Thursday, July 4. The candidates for Winchester include Flick Drummond (Conservative), Hannah Dawson (Labour), Lorraine Estelle (Green Party), Danny Chambers (Lib Dems), Sean Whelan (Reform UK), Kevin D'Cruze (Independent), Chris Barfoot (Independent), Andy Liming (Hampshire Independents) and Andrew Davis (Social Democratic).
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