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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, November 11, 2021
COP21
Hundreds make a noise for climate change By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today HUNDREDS of people took to the streets of Reading on Saturday, November 6, to make some noise about the climate emergency.
A range of groups including politicians, teachers, activitists and churches gathered at the Broad Street Mall end of town for 1pm. Led by Shinfield Baptist Church pastor Nathan Hunt, the group processed along Broad Street and into Market Place, blowing whistles, rattling rattles and shouting slogans. It was part of a worldwide movement which saw tens of thousands of protestors march through Glasgow, where world leaders are gathering for the United Nationas COP26 climate emergency summit. Its president is Reading West MP Alok Sharma. Saturday’s focus was on the creation of sustainable agriculture and land use, and saw 45 governments pledge urgent action and investment to shift towards a more sustainable way of farming. The UK has pledged to engage three-quarters of farmers in low carbon practices by 2030. Commitments made by countries today will help to implement the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use which is now endorsed by 134 countries covering 91% of the world’s forests. The Declaration aims to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Mr Sharma told the summit: “If we are to limit global warming and keep the goal of 1.5ºC alive, then the world needs to use land sustainably and put protection and restoration of nature at the heart of all we do. “The commitments being made today show that nature and land use is being recognised as essential to meeting the Paris Agreement goals, and will contribute to addressing the twin crises of climate change
The March 4 Climate event in Reading town centre on Saturday, saw protestors from Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham join forces Pictures: Phil Creighton and biodiversity loss. “Meanwhile, as we look ahead to negotiations in week two of COP, I urge all parties to come to the table with the constructive compromises and ambitions needed.” At the Reading march, Mr Hunt led calls for a successful COP26, and to see temperature increase limited to 1.5ºC. Afterwards, he said in a post on social media: “Thank you to all those who joined the March 4 Climate today in the middle of COP26. It was a wonderful, colourful, peaceful (but noisy) event for all those who care about this world, its people and all its creatures. “Thanks to all those who made it happen and came and supported it.” Among those taking part was Reading East MP Matt
Rodda, who said the event had been wonderful. “It’s been a sign of people’s commitment to tackling the dangerous climate change. Our community are working together to try and tackle this very difficult problem that we all face.” He added: “I think the challenge really is to get the message out to as many people as possible, and to actually change the way that we all live. I do think that’s entirely possible: there are lots of small things we can all do, whether it’s giving up meat some days a week, or shifting to having an electric vehicle or walking and cycling. “I also think that governments around the world should be doing more, we have made some real step forward in
Glasgow, but we all need to do much more now. “One international thing, which I’m particularly pleased with is the shift away from coal – that is absolutely vital. It’s the most polluting fuel, it releases the most carbon and it’s very dangerous, it needs to stay in the ground. “So do other fossil fuels, we need to move on electrify the economy use other forms of alternative technology and move to a better future.” Wokingham Town Council leader Cllr Imogen ShepherdDubey said she had come to the march via public transport, and urged on others to take more of an interest in the climate emergency. “People need to realise we are one minute to 12,” she said. “We need to do something, and we
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wide range of people including lots of children coming together to demand action,” she said. “What is a disgrace is that were having to march in the first place. And that makes me angry. “Enough of the talk, we have solutions, let’s implement them. Enough of the greenwashing and the tokenism being trotted out. “What this tells me is that there is grassroots support for action and people on the ground in their communities and raring to put the wheels in motion. “But this government refuses to decentralise power and finances to allow this to happen. We need this government to give communities the ability to bring about change to tackle this very real threat to our existence.”
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The Kings & Queens of Fresh Christmas Trees will be available by the 27 Nov. Handmade wreaths too.
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need to force the Government to make changes in its green policies.” She said the town council have installed recycling bins in Wokingham town, and planted trees where possible. “We should be pushing Wokingham Borough Council to do more to support buses in Wokingham,” she added. “The bus service is really poor. Give people proper alternative choices to driving their car around. We need more services for everybody to use so they can make these choices to help save our climate.” And Wokingham borough Lib Dem spokesperson for the environment, Cllr Sarah Kerr, took part in the march and had strong words about it. “It was a peaceful, positive protest and really good to see a
5.30 - 9pm
Sampling the best of Christmas foods Curry Buffet in the Café. All depts open
Our butchers counter will be taking orders for Christmas meats until the 5th December
