The Big Climate Connection - a national mass-lobbying success!

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Last weekend, I gave my MP an office-warming present to welcome her to her new job. I gave her loft insulation. A strange present perhaps, but this gift was not simply a kind gesture, it was a symbol. I wanted to make my MP aware of how I feel about energy efficiency and climate change, and what progress I want to be made at the UN Climate Change Talks taking place in Cancun at the end of the month. My small action was just one of hundreds of actions and events organized by Oxfam activists and other members of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition as part of the Big Climate Connection mass lobby last weekend. Activists from Canterbury to Chippenham, Exeter to Worcester, lobbied their MPs on issues such as energy efficiency in homes, carbon emissions from power stations and financial support for developing countries to adapt to climate change. Over 100 MPs were met over the weekend including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and Minister of State for International Development, Alan Duncan. By the end of this week more than 250 MPs will have been lobbied overall. This swell of activity has been met with a hugely positive response with some great outcomes already. For example many MPs have agreed to write to the secretary of state, Chris Huhne, to highlight the issues and concerns raised. The Big Climate Connection has been a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and discuss our policy calls around these vital issues in advance of the Climate Change talks, whilst showing the coalition as a strong and influential movement across the UK. I am proud to have played my small part in such a widespread and inspirational mass lobby and really hope that we get the outcome we are hoping for from the talks in Cancun. More about the Big Climate Connection More about Oxfam's policy calls around Climate Change More from the Oxfam Press Office at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/news