Roehampton children demand MPs act on climate change

Sacred Heart Zero Heroes - image: Jessie Keeble-Elliot

On 26 June, children from Sacred Heart primary school in Roehampton, west London, joined more than 12,000 others to call on MPs outside Parliament, including local MP Justine Greening, to urgently act on climate change.

In the largest-ever environmental lobby of Parliament over 200 MPs came out to meet with their constituents - who urged their MPs to pass ambitious new laws that cut plastic waste, improve air quality and help stop the UK's contribution to climate change by 2045.

The children, who all attend a weekly afterschool club to learn about the work of the Catholic aid agency CAFOD, joined thousands of other campaigners outside Parliament for the #TheTimeisNow' climate lobby - to show their concern for the need to protect our common home.

The children arrived in London full of ideas on how to tackle climate change and protect the environment. "I think we should stop making balloons because some people let them go and harm the environment," said Arezu, while Olivia said she felt we should be planting more trees.

Meanwhile Sophie was worried about the impact of poor people living overseas. "Some people can't afford to buy food and food won't grow because of global warming," she said. "It affects children in other parts of the world."

'The Time is Now' climate lobby was organised by over 100 organisations - members of the Climate Coalition - who believe now is the time to confront the climate crisis and show our politicians their constituents really do care about tackling climate change.

The children wore 'Zero Hero' costumes they had made, showing their support for the UK enforcing a 'net zero' emissions target, got to sit in some of the rickshaws that were ferrying MPs to and from Parliament to meet their constituents, and met with CAFOD's Director Christine Allen.

While they were disappointed not to meet with Justine Greening MP on the day, they left message cards for her asking about her plans to tackle climate change and protect nature.

The Sacred Heart pupils were just a few of the hundreds of school pupils, from dozens of Catholic schools, who turned up on the day for the lobby.

CAFOD's director, Christine Allen, said: "Humanity still has the ability to work together for our common home - and today we joined with 12,000 others for the good of our shared family and world.

"Meeting with our MPs helps to bring a new hope and new vision, and we hope that the thousands of voices who united to raise their concern for our climate will send a strong message to Parliament.

"It is so powerful to see Catholics from all around England and Wales, including the Sacred Heart pupils, standing shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers around the world."

Find out more: www.cafod.org.uk/climatelobby