Stroud constituents have sent a clear message to their MP Simon Opher for continued support of urgent action to help bring our energy bills down and increase energy security for our communities, writes Sue Fenton.
The action comes following the recent extreme heat in the UK, and the announcement of an Energy Independence Bill, which residents argue provides the perfect opportunity for the UK to embrace renewable energy and end new fossil fuel extraction.
In a display of community concern, local residents have sent a letter to their MP’s constituency office.
The letter, organised by Parents for Future and signed by more than 80 concerned Stroud residents, argues that the government’s commitment to energy independence must be absolute and immediate. Jon Rowe, coordinator of Parents for Future, stated: “Families across Stroud are struggling with their energy bills. We need energy independence so we can avoid these spikes. Renewables are cheaper and cleaner. The new extreme heat records showed the climate crisis is here, and we can’t afford to make a bad situation even worse by failing to move away from dirty fossil fuels fast enough. It’s time we embrace renewables with the determination this moment requires.”
Key demands from the community include:
- Immediate halt to all new oil and gas extraction, including the Rosebank project.
- The government’s manifesto commitment to end new oil and gas licences is fully upheld, and legislated.
- The transition to renewables is accelerated with the same urgency as the wellbeing of our communities, national security and the climate crisis demand.
The letter highlights the double crisis facing communities like Stroud: the economic vulnerability caused by reliance on volatile global fossil fuel markets, and the accelerating climate crisis that disproportionately impacts young people and families already struggling with the cost of living. Not only do families have to try to keep their kids warm in the winter, they are now facing the struggle of having to keep their homes cool in the summer.
“Recent events in the Middle East have demonstrated the devastating economic consequences of our reliance on global fossil fuel markets,” the letter states. “You only need to speak to the Stroud District Foodbank to understand the difficulties families across Stroud are facing. The Energy Independence Bill could offer a pathway out of this vulnerability for our communities.”
The community members also thanked Simon for attending a recent local screening of the National Emergency Briefing to better understand the scientific reality driving the need for immediate action. “Every new fossil fuel project we approve locks us into further warming that will disproportionately impact the young people within our community,” the letter warns.
Kam Longia, Parents for Future local coordinator and Stroud resident, added: “We’re sending a clear message that our community stands united in demanding action. This is about protecting our community against further energy shocks, avoiding the cost of inaction while keeping our climate stable.”
The constituent letter delivery coincides with growing public pressure for the government to match its rhetoric on energy independence with concrete action, particularly on stopping Rosebank and other new fossil fuel projects.
Local residents can get involved by visiting www.stopcambo.org, by joining Parents for Future (https://parentsforfuture.org.uk/join-our-community/) or by contacting their MP to voice their concerns.
