Luke Pollard and local young people write to Michael Gove calling for a climate change emergency
Luke addressing young people protesting climate change in Plymouth
Plymouth MP joined local young people for the third Climate Protest in Plymouth
Young people around the world are calling on local and national governments to declare a climate emergency
Plymouth MP says he has challenged the Government to declare a climate emergency and we can no longer accept warm words, we need action
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has joined local young people today as they protest calling for the Government to declare a climate emergency.
This is the third protest in they have held in Plymouth. The Labour MP has joined them on every occasion.
In March, in response to the Climate strikes Plymouth City Council unanimously passed a motion declaring a climate emergency and committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Luke is a Shadow Environment Minister, together with Sue Hayman MP declared a climate and environment emergency on behalf of the Opposition on 28th March and on Tuesday this week Luke challenged the Government again to declare a climate crisis.
Today Luke and Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, have written a joint letter to Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs calling on the Government to work cross-party to declare a climate emergency. This letter has now been co-signed by over 60 local young people who attended today's protest.
Luke Pollard MP said:
"Plymouth's young people have shown they are passionate about fighting climate change. Locally, Plymouth City Council has passed a motion declaring a climate emergency but the Government refuses to do the same. We need action not just words from the Government. I want to work cross-party with the Government to jointly declare a climate emergency as some things are bigger than party politics. But Michael Gove refuses to do this and that refusal is further encouragement for young people to continue their protests."
Councillor Darren Winter, Chair of Britain's Ocean City Plastics Taskforce said:
"Young people once again took to the street to highlight the ongoing climate emergency that we face. They are acutely aware that they will have to deal with the mess that has been created, and they gave up their time during school holidays because they care passionately about the crisis that is unfolding. Governments, businesses and organisations need to listen to what young people are saying, as it is the children who are currently the grown-ups over this issue. Unless action is taken then the damage to our planet will only get worse. I wholeheartedly support the children who came out today and hope that Plymouth will join me in thanking them for trying to raise awareness in our city"