Woking community urges MP to act with climate petition

L-R: Audra Schlachter with Jonathan Lord MP for Woking, and Fr Simon with the petition they presented

More than 700 Woking residents have signed a petition urging the government to act to tackle climate change and handed it to local Woking MP Jonathan Lord to share with parliament.

At an event held on 13 October, members of St Dunstan's parish were joined by local MP Jonathan Lord where they shared their views about the government's action to combat climate change.

The group were calling for net-zero emissions by 2045, which will help limit the UK's contribution to climate change and limit the worst effects of climate change on our health, homes and communities, and on people living in poverty around the world.

The petition was accepted by Mr Lord, who then spoke about some of the achievements of the past few years and the need for further action and progress over the next few years.

He said: "While there is much to be done, the UK is doing really well in working towards reducing our carbon emissions, and investing in and moving towards renewable energy in particular.

"However, we realise there are many challenges ahead and I am very happy to present this petition to the Prime Minister, together with and on behalf of St Dunstan's Parish and CAFOD to raise your concerns and your desire for further and faster action by 2045."

Organised by volunteers from the charity CAFOD, who had helped gather the 707 signatures, the parish hopes their action will inspire others to raise their voices and share their concerns with local parliamentary representatives.

Audra Schlachter, a parishioner and CAFOD volunteer who helped to organise the petition and presentation, said: "We ask that this petition is taken to the Prime Minister to reflect our concern for our common home, and to show that we as the Catholic community of St Dunstan's realise the great responsibility we all have to make a positive change for our future as a global community."

This presentation was part of a wider campaign 'Our Common Home', run by the aid agency CAFOD, and the group's signatures will be added to the thousands already received. It is hoped these events will highlight the growing concern for the environment and start new conversations about climate change.