New initiative keeps climate change on political agenda

More than 300 young people across the UK have ‘adopted’ their MPs to ensure the issue of climate change remains high on the political agenda.
Launched by the UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC), Adopt an MP is providing the opportunity for young people in Britain to encourage all 650 Members of Parliament to act on reducing carbon emissions and work towards a future of cleaner, renewable energy.

The country’s first Green MP, Caroline Lucas, for Brighton Pavilion, has praised the “energy, enthusiasm and commitment” of the young people involved.

With the coalition government settled in, UKYCC are helping young people in each constituency contact and establish dialogue with their MP to ensure that the voices of Britain’s youth continue to be heard. Training and advice will be given on how to create convincing and compelling arguments for the importance of tackling climate change, and the group will provide support in maintaining long-term relationships with MPs.

“This is not a short-term campaign,” said UKYCC co-director Ellie Hopkins, “but is about creating and maintaining a real and lasting relationship of respect between young people and their MPs.”

The project website allows the adopters to share their experiences through blogs and social networking, and each month an action will be suggested to keep the campaign fresh and up to date. By assisting young people in demonstrating to their MPs how climate change relates to their own constituency, the project will have a local dimension while reinforcing the significance of the issue on a national and international scale.

Alex Farrow, UKYCC co-director said: “The campaign empowers young people to encourage their MP to take a stand and fight for a difference when it comes to local issues and national policy, to create the clean, fair, future that we need.”

Alongside Caroline Lucas, other MPs have shown support for the campaign. Chris Huhne, the secretary of state for energy and climate change commented: “It is great to see young people holding politicians to account through this imaginative campaign.”

Meanwhile, Ed Miliband, the former secretary of state for energy and climate change, remarked: “The voices of young people should be at the heart of how we deal with climate change. Young people have a vital role keeping up the pressure for urgent action.”

Contact: www​.adoptanmp​.org
Caroline Lucas MP. Photo: copyright Green Party