Parents and children from Stroud gathered in the Houses of Parliament to meet with MPs and call on them to keep children safe now and in the future by opposing all new oil and gas extraction in the UK – starting with the controversial Rosebank oil field.
Families from Stroud travelled to Parliament as part of a ‘family lobby’ organised by the climate group Parents For Future. Meeting with MPs, they expressed their concerns about the impact of new fossil fuel expansion on their children and delivered a clear message: the UK must draw a line under all new oil and gas extraction, starting with Rosebank.
Rosebank, the UK’s largest undeveloped oil field, was initially approved by the previous Conservative government but was recently ruled unlawful by the Scottish Court of Session on the basis that the vast emissions from burning Rosebank’s reserves were not taken into account. Rosebank’s owners, Equinor, have since confirmed that they plan to reapply for approval.
However the Government won’t be making any decisions on Rosebank – or any other new oil and gas projects – until after its oil and gas consultation concludes in spring. Parents across the UK are urging MPs to prioritise the safety of their children by ruling out drilling Rosebank. Meetings have been requested across the country, from Sheffield to Banbury and Manchester to South Devon.
Analysis suggests that burning Rosebank’s oil and gas would cause the UK to exceed its climate targets and produce more CO2 than the 28 poorest countries do in a year. Meanwhile it will do nothing to lower bills or increase energy security. Parents For Future UK argues that the UK now has a unique opportunity to reject fossil fuels and commit to clean, cheaper homegrown energy instead.
Kam Longia, dad of two and member of Parents For Future’s Stroud Group, said: ”My Family and I are extremely worried about the impact that climate change is having on us and other families. The recent power cuts and flooding, caused by storm Eowyn, shows that these impacts are no longer off in some distant future.
“By joining other families at Parliament, to lobby for an end to new oil and gas extraction, I wanted my boys to see that parents are standing up to defend their right to a liveable future. It demonstrates to them how ordinary citizens can use their voices to push their elected officials to act with the urgency this emergency warrants.”
Sati Longia, 18, said: “As I get older, I’m becoming more anxious about the climate crisis. So I found it comforting and empowering to be with a group of like-minded families, all pushing the message as far as it can go.
“It was great to talk with my MP, Dr Simon Opher, and hear his enthusiasm to rightly represent Stroud; youth and all. Hopefully this means, we will soon abolish new oil and gas extraction.”
Charlotte Howell, Co-Director of Parents For Future UK, said: “Families across the UK are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, whether its homes being flooded or school closures from extreme weather events. Parents are increasingly aware of the direct link to drilling fossil fuels and the scientific consensus that it has to stop.
“Today, we made it clear to MPs that families across the country want a firm commitment to end all new extraction. It no longer makes moral or economic sense to keep drilling, and we refuse to stand by while our children’s futures are put at risk by more fossil fuel expansion. It’s long overdue to stop new oil and gas.”
Over 80% of parents across the UK are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis on their kids’ futures, and in a survey of 1,000 parents, 75% said their children have spoken to them about their concerns around the climate crisis. High profile mothers and fathers have now been putting their weight behind Parents For Future’s campaign, with TV presenter Laura Hamilton saying: “As a parent, I want to know that we are doing everything we can to protect our children. The families who came to Parliament today sent a powerful message – it’s time to stop new oil and gas projects like Rosebank and commit to clean, renewable energy. Our kids deserve a safe, healthy planet to grow up in, and I fully support Parents For Future in calling time on fossil fuels.”
The family lobby was part of a nationwide effort, with parents also meeting MPs in their local constituencies throughout the week, highlighting growing public opposition to fossil fuel expansion and encouraging MPs to support a just transition to renewable energy.
For more information, visit parentsforfuture.org.uk
