Save Our Spire

People’s Emergency Briefing

Organised by the Sustainable Caterham Team, this was shown for the first time in Caterham on Friday June 5th at the United Reformed Church.  Cat Neave, Woldingham Parish Councillor, attended and wrote the following piece for The Woldingham Magazine which she has kindly given permission for us to publish.

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At the start of June, Cllr Carole North and I attended the Caterham screening of the People's Emergency Briefing.  It's a short (50-minute) film aiming to raise awareness of the UK's climate and nature crises, and was followed by a well-chaired audience discussion.  During the film, experts explain why these crises matter, and use compelling data to demonstrate that unless significant changes are made to target net zero, we all face significant threats to food security, infrastructure, and basic societal functioning.  Climate change is happening faster than anticipated, and is in fact accelerating.  The planet is on track to reach 1.5°C of global warming by 2030 - this was the temperature threshold set by the Paris Agreement to prevent the most catastrophic effects of global warming, including irreversible tipping points and major ecosystem collapse.

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While we in the UK often feel somehow insulated from the rest of the world, the data shows we are in fact just as vulnerable to flooding, wildfires, agricultural failure and food shortages, and societal breakdown as anywhere else.  However, the film also shows how proactive change - at all levels, from grassroots individuals up to corporations, industries, politicians and governments - can make a difference, and gives examples of what is already being done.  Economists demonstrate how transitioning to a green economy would ultimately be cheaper than a continuous reliance on fossil fuels, and the estimated cost of Net Zero is already significantly cheaper than it was initially predicted to be.  I'd strongly recommend finding a local screening or watching the full National Emergency Briefing online - it doesn't make for easy or comfortable viewing, but it's powerful and informative.  Denial is the easy short term option, but it has terrifying consequences.  We cannot make effective changes, or push our decision-makers to act, unless we really know what we are fighting for.

 

 Several actions that individuals can take were suggested.

1. Ask your MP to support a Parliamentary Call for a televised National Emergency Briefing (support is available to help you)

2. Help more people see the film – host one or spread the work.

3. Informal local gathering – took place on 25th June at a local pub.

4. Join Sustainable Caterham Facebook Group

5. Attend a carbon literacy course

 

We could screen it at St Mary’s. Interested?  If we have sufficient numbers we’re happy to organise it.  Please let us know.  We understand there is to be a screening at the Sacred Heart Church and will publicise it as soon as we have the details.

 

Caterham Carnival Eco Church Stall during Big Green Week

On Saturday June 13th a number of us helped on a stall at Caterham Carnival.  Children were able to make clay models free of charge and there was discussion about how we can all live more sustainably.  We weren’t selling anything but had brought examples of sustainable products and actions to consider such as switching to ethical banking.

If you were there and have any comments about the stall we’d love to hear from you.

Caterham Carnival Eco Church Stall >>>​

Zero Waste Pop up Shop

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Washing up liquid has been ordered.  We’ll be selling it, from the back of church, at cost price along with toilet cleaner so please start saving your empty bottles.  If you’re willing to have a quick lesson on how to sell it, to help maximise its availability, please get in touch.

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We look forward to hearing from you with comments or suggestions.​

Liz Cooke                    Eco Church Coordinators                       Jenny Green

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