Cornwall Quakers welcome ‘climate emergency’ decision
Quakers upheld Cornwall Council in declaring a 'climate emergency'
As part of their longstanding commitment to sustainability Quakers in Cornwall upheld Cornwall Council in its decision to declare a ‘climate emergency’ on 22 January. Falmouth Quakers welcomed the motion ‘Urgency on Climate Change’, which was brought by Liberal Democrat councillor Dominic Fairman. The motion called on the council to prepare a report within six months detailing how Cornwall can reduce carbon emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C through energy efficiency, low-carbon fuels and investment in renewable energy.
Labour councillor Jayne Kirkham put forward an amendment to declare a ‘climate emergency’ and called on Westminster to provide the powers and resources necessary to achieve the target for Cornwall to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Jackie Carpenter, from Bude Meeting, told the Friend that there were around ten Quakers in the gallery to hear the motion being debated and passed.
She said: ‘On Saturday, prior to the debate for the motion, at Area Meeting we discussed sustainability and one person crafted a minute saying that we, Quakers of Cornwall, supported a climate emergency. We took it to Cornwall Council and gave it out at the debate to everyone. There were about seventy to eighty people in the gallery and a lovely positive atmosphere.’
Sue James, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment and public protection, said: ‘Climate change is already here and having effects in Cornwall, like the unprecedented rainfall causing flooding in Coverack in July 2017 and the significant late snow last year.’
Approximately twenty councils, including Manchester, Oxford, Bristol and Kirklees, have also recently declared ‘climate emergencies’, often supported by the action of Friends and in a bid to put pressure on the government.
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