The UK Climate Change Act was the first of its kind. It required the UK to cut its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. However, it is now 10 years old and out of date.
Both the science and the experiences of people living in poverty tell us it’s time to up the UK’s ambition. It’s time to create a net zero target to tackle climate change and help protect poor communities.
To get to zero, we need a net zero target written into law. Ten years on there’s an opportunity to reinstate the same spirit of ambition we had in 2008. Ask your MP to be a “zero hero” by adding your name to a special Climate Act anniversary card: caid.org.uk/zero-hero.
From the Commitment For Life newsletter
Local development committees bring change in Guatemala.
In rural Guatemala, women are learning about their rights and demanding better services from their government.
Fermina Chiyal Sequec lives in a village with her husband and three daughters. She raises chickens and has a small fish farm in her back yard.
Fermina received training through Christian Aid’s partner CONGCOOP and joined a local development committee. She now monitors the local government and lobbies for better services.
Fermina said: “By participating in training and by being organised, things can change. In December, the municipality gave chickens to seven communities and we are monitoring this process because there are still another seven communities pending. We have also audited a hospital.”
Veronica Ramirez Quino lives in Chiquistel village with her husband and four children. She and her husband are farmers, but she is also becoming a recognised leader in her community through trading with CONGCOOP.
Veronica said: “At first, we were afraid of speaking in front of others, but as we continued with our training we became more confident. We’ve learned about our rights as women, and about discrimination. Before, we knew nothing about that! We also learned how to go to the municipality, to apply for a project. Now I’m participating in the community’s local development council and the Municipal Women’s Commission. Our big achievement was getting the municipality to fix the road to our village.”
She only has an elementary school education and her dream is for her children to finish university and become professionals.
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Our Remembrance Day Service will reflect the fact that 11th November this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the ending of what we now refer to as the First World War, but which had then been referred to as the Great War or the War To End All Wars. Perhaps the Armistice seems remote to some now. Indeed two of the churches in our group had not been founded when the First World War ended. However the other two were affected and one, the then Avenue Congregational Church, had found itself at the centre of activities during that war, by providing a canteen for soldiers passing through and stationed on Southampton Common. It is worth remembering that Southampton was a major departure point for soldiers heading to fight on the continent and The Common accommodated many of them as they awaited the journey to France – tragically a one way trip for many young men.
The Defibrillator has now been installed outside on the car park wall of the Church Hall, adjacent to the Link. It is hoped that it will be fully activated during this month, and is available should there be a medical emergency. Its public position means that it is available for community use.