Parents For Future Stroud, Greenpeace, and Stroud residents met outside The Sub Rooms on Saturday to voice concerns and support for an end to fuel poverty and a just transition to renewable energy.
Stroud’s Mayor, Cllr Stella Parkes and Labour’s parliamentary candidate, Simon Opher, came to support and listen to residents’ concerns.
The peaceful gathering was one of thousands during a weekend of global climate strikes. The group chatted with over 100 Stroud residents who were out and about in town and found that many residents shared their concerns. One resident was worried about how her family would afford to keep the heating on this winter. Another talked about needing to flood proof their house after recently being flooded on Slad Road.
Dr Simon Opher, Stroud’s Labour Candidate and local GP said: “Staying warm is crucial to staying healthy. We must ensure that no one is allowed to be cold this winter. Dropping the temperature just one degree increases blood pressure and the chances of a stroke. Let’s look after each other as well as fighting for lower energy bills through a green, sustainable revolution.”
The groups also shared information about the Warm This Winter campaign and protesting the government’s plans to approve Equinor’s massive Rosebank oil field just off the Shetland Isles. Parents For Future and Greenpeace believe that if this goes ahead it will be a devastating blow to climate progress and urge people to sign petitions and write to their MPs against the plans. They demand that governments need to start phasing out fossil fuels and switch to greener alternatives before it is too late.
Lucie Brown from Parents For Future said: “Deepening community connection here in Stroud is how we will respond to the multiple social and environmental crises we face. Today we stand in solidarity with people around the world on the frontline of climate collapse and with the 8 million households around the UK who head into winter already in fuel debt. We need a just transition to cheaper, greener, homegrown renewables as well as investment in home insulation and a big rethink on consumption.”
Parents For Future welcome Stroud residents (children also welcome) to join them at their Autumn meeting on Monday 23rd October 2023, 5.00pm-6.30pm at SISTER on Lansdown Road, next to the library. There will be discussion around climate justice and community participation, and a free dinner will be provided. No experience or commitment is necessary, and people are welcome to just pop in and say hello.
The petition against Rosebank can be found here: https://www.stopcambo.org.uk
