Dear Reader,
The Climate Emergency Forum in Coventry Council House on March 15, the day of the first Global Student Strike for Climate, was probably the most important event we have ever organised. Around 40 students attended. They explained passionately how they feel about climate change and produced some clear and constructive actions they want schools and the City Council to take.
Unfortunately only one councillor Roger Bailey, was able (or willing) to attend but he contributed significantly to the discussion.
As I write this we are in the process of trying to organise a meeting between students and Councillor Kevin Maton, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills. He says he is committed to find ways in which the Council can give greater voice to the concerns of young people.
"I am happy to hear from students how they feel they could become more involved in both promoting their concerns," he says, "and in discussing the range of climate change interventions that are currently operating in the City and those being developed for the future. The City is going through great change at the moment and as a Council we would welcome young people being involved in discussions about the future of their City."
However, local elections will be held in May which, he says, means that councillors are currently in a "period of purdah which limits what political party representatives are able to say in public."
This lack of urgency is frustrating both for UNA Coventry and for the students who want the Council to recognise that there is a climate emergency that requires action not next month, not tomorrow but today!
However we will persevere. Climate change is by far the most dangerous threat to the future not just of humanity but of all life on earth. It is vital we all keep trying to mitigate and reverse its effects.
Thank you for your continued support of our work in promoting international and UN issues to the wider public.
Philip Brown
Secretary, UNA Coventry Branch
philip@unacov.uk
