Putting your Oar in

ROWERS BUOY UP SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE AND NATURE BILL

Have you stirred up the waters in your community yet by backing the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill? MPs joined ex-Olympians yesterday (Tuesday14th January) in a Thames boat race past Parliament to raise awareness and remind us it's not too late to support the vital second reading of the Climate and Nature Bill, next week, on 24th January 2025.

Climate and Nature Bill co-sponsor, the Lib Dem MP Roz Savage, who was the first woman to row solo across three oceans - the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian - spearheaded the event, which also included Olympian Canoeist Etienne Stott MBE and was cheered on by MPs watching from the House of Commons Terrace.

More than 200 MPs, 88 of them Labour, have already thrown their weight behind the bill to boost Britain's emission reduction targets and increase protections for nature and Roz says the Bill will make the UK a "world leader in tackling the climate and nature crisis", citing President Trump's return to the White House as a major threat to global progress. She added:

"The legislation I am proposing would supercharge our journey to net zero while boosting safeguards to protect nature, making sure we save the planet without leaving anyone behind. Parliament is ready to act but we need the Government to back and not block the Bill so MPs can vote with their own hearts next week."

Zero Hour environmental campaigners who are championing the Bill say MPs should be afforded a free vote, in line with Kim Leadbeater's Assisted Dying Bill which was passed in November 2024. However, the government is yet to publicly set out its position ahead of next week's vote, despite supporting the Bill's 'ambition and objectives' while in opposition.

You can join the campaign and call on your MP to turn up and back the bill by visiting the Zero Hour website HERE.

Photo credits: ZeroHour