Press Release for Immediate Release
Stop Climate Chaos Coalition call for Selly Oak MP to back stronger Energy Bill
A Public Meeting organised by ‘Stop Climate Chaos’ (SCC) will take place on June 2nd at 7pm in the Guild Council Chambers, Guild of Students, University of Birmingham to highlight the issues of energy price increases, fuel poverty and the ‘bills’ that we are facing as climate change advances.
The ‘Stop Climate Chaos’ coalition are campaigning for a stronger Energy Bill to deliver policies that will help meet the targets outlined in the Climate Change Act 2008, and address issues of fuel poverty which mean that currently millions cannot afford to heat their homes. For this to happen there must be an ambitious commitment with clear timescales for ‘Warm Homes’ including those in the private rented sector. Local supporters of organisations affiliated to SCC, such as Oxfam, Friends of the Earth and People and Planet, will be calling upon a local member of parliament to make sure that the views are heard.
The speakers are:
- Steve McCabe MP for Selly Oak,
- Dr Rosie Day (fuel poverty researcher, University of Birmingham)
- Quentin Given (UK Climate campaigner, Friends of the Earth)
- Patrick Garratt (director of Purple Frog Property).
The evening will be chaired by Cheryl Pidgeon (Midlands TUC) with the doors opening at 6:30 for a 7:00pm start, and should finish around 9pm. There will be an opportunity for photographs at the end of the discussion.
The event offers local people the opportunity to hear and question the speakers on issues such as rising gas and electricity bills; fuel poverty; energy security; reducing energy use; developing renewable energy supplies and addressing the consequences of climate change. It is an opportunity for to emphasise our call for a minimum standard of energy efficiency in private rented homes and to call upon the government to ensure that community-wide emissions reduction to be a core and mandatory responsibility of councils.
Steve McCabe MP Stated: “The Government’s Energy Bill needs to be overhauled to make sure our homes and communities get the green refurb needed to help fight climate change.
“I’m backing Friends of the Earth’s call for the new law to be stronger, so councils get independent advice to help communities go green, tenants are protected from heat-leaking homes by 2016 and the Government has a plan to insulate every home.”
Peter Robinson SCC Regional Organiser said: “We are really pleased to have a high quality panel of speakers and chair for this evening that promises an exciting meeting. We need to show our MPs that we care and make sure that they play their part in implementing the fundamental legislation that is required. We owe it to ourselves, our children and their children to take an interest – and to get involved.”
ENDS
Notes
1. Stop Climate Chaos is a Coalition of over 100 organisations with a supporter base of more than 11 million people. For more information see:http://www.stopclimatechaos.org
2. For more detail on what Friends of the Earth and Stop Climate Chaos are calling for in the Energy Bill see this briefing:http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/energy_bill_overview.pdf
3. More than a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our homes – stopping them leaking heat is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to fight dangerous climate change.
4. Steve McCabe has backed Friends of the Earth’s campaign on his website: http://stevemccabe-mp.org.uk/node/103
Contact us for more information – speak to Joe Peacock (0121) 6216909 campaigns@birminghamfoe.org.uk
