I was proud to be part of the Climate Coalition’s The Time is Now first ever virtual lobby of Parliament earlier this month.

More than 14,000 people signed up to virtually lobby their MP and here in Tynemouth I joined local residents at an online event organised by Dr David Golding to discuss a green economic recovery from Coronavirus.

It was a very interesting discussion and I would like to thank David for organising and everyone who took part.  A special mention to the Sixth Formers from Whitley Bay High School for their challenging contributions.

It was a timely reminder that although the Chancellor’s Green Recovery plan with £3 billion for energy efficiency is interesting, it is less than a third of the amount promised in the Tory Manifesto.  As The Time is Now campaigners said, greening the economy needs to be much more ambitious than just some recycled money.

I am also proud to have signed the Climate Coalition’s ‘Declaration for a Healthy, Greener, Fairer Tomorrow’, to show my commitment to bold action on nature and climate in the build-up to the United Nations climate and biodiversity conferences taking place next year.

To sign the declaration yourself visit:

https://thetimeisnow.uk/