A report on the Climate Emergency Forum, held in Coventry Council House on 15 March, the day of the Global Student Climate Strike, was sent to all Coventry Councillors. The following replies have been received.

Cllr. Christine Thomas

She is passionate about the environment and has already asked the council to install recycling waste bins. She had already apologised for not being able to attend the Forum.

She would like to lead a debate in council on the subject of the environment and our proposals.
She advised us to ask Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority to declare a Climate Emergency rather than asking Councils to declare it because she thinks they would need to contact him anyway.

Also she suggested getting all the universities in the West Midlands to support the idea and so exert the force of people-power.

(Message delivered by telephone)

Cllr. Kevin Maton

This issue [of climate change] has just been discussed at a meeting of all secondary Headteachers. There is support for working to develop students’ interest in the topic and taking part in related activities. One of the ideas is to make climate change one of the themes of this Year’s Democracy Week.

Happy to meet to discuss.

Kevin Maton
Cabinet Member – Education and Skills

From Cllr. David Skinner

I could not be at the meeting in the Council House, but am well aware of the problem.

Sahelisation was already a major problem when I last served in Africa. From TV images, it looks to be worse now. The consequences for millions of people are potentially catastrophic. Best wishes to all.

Cllr. David Skinner
Westwood Ward