Thousands joining The Time Is Now mass lobby of Parliament

Campaigners from around the UK will be descending on Parliament today, to urge the government to do more to confront the climate crisis.

This Summer, the Government will decide whether to end the UK's contribution to climate change by committing to a net zero emissions target. They will also have the chance to end nature's decline by committing to a strong Environment Bill. Now is the time to push for bold action.

Today's massive lobby will call on politicians to end the UK's contribution to climate change and pass ambitious laws that create a healthier environment for nature and people. People across the globe are suffering from the effects of the climate crisis and our wildlife populations are being wiped out. 'The time is now' is the title of the lobby and it is organised by a grouping of more than 100 like-minded organisations. These include agencies such as CAFOD and religious groups such as the Columbans, Salesians and Passionists.

Daniel Hale, from CAFOD Campaigns said: "10 years ago, the UK was leading the way on combatting climate change. But recent reports show we need to make more drastic changes, now."

All MPs are being asked that:

- All government departments urgently bring forward policies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

- UK investment overseas and at home is consistent with keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees. This should include stopping all new public support for fossil fuels overseas.

- The UK shows leadership by connecting the crises of poverty, environmental degradation and climate change, and makes concrete commitments to combat them at key international events.

Schedule

Groups will be gathering in parishes and community centres all morning.

From 9.30am there will be interfaith workshops at St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square.

From 10.30am parishioners, students and staff from Jesuit works across the UK will be gathering at Mount Street for the walk to Westminster.

From 11.30am, many groups will gather in Trafalgar Square to walk down Whitehall towards Westminster as a witness to the care of all faiths for creation.

From 12 -1.15pm there will be an Interfaith event at Church House, Great Smith Street, with Archbishop Rowan Williams.

From 1-4pm Participants will gather together all around Parliament on both sides of the river.

From 2pm - alarms clocks and mobile phone alarms will be set off, sending a message to Westminster that they need to wake up and respond to the challenges our world is facing.

At 3pm there will be the presentation of the Columban Journalism awards by Bishop John Arnold, with Columban Director Fr Peter Hughes, to young people from Birmingham, Coventry, Chesterfield, Warrington and Milton Keynes. They produced articles and videos earlier this year on 'The Challenge of Climate Change'.

The day will close with a CAFOD Mass at Church House to reflect on and celebrate our common home. (Tickets for this event have already sold out for those not coming on coaches.)

For more information see: https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Climate/Climate-lobby