James held a follow-up discussion on climate change today with school children and representatives from local community groups, following the COP26 Summit that was hosted by the UK last year.
Last October, before the summit took place, James had hosted a Roundtable discussion with local environmental activists to hear their hopes and aspirations for the summit, and student representatives from local secondary schools and colleges also took part in response to a competition that James had ran. All those who had attended were invited to take part in the follow-up Roundtable.
During Friday’s discussion, which was held virtually, participants also had the opportunity to question and engage with Jo Churchill MP, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Minister responsible for Agri-Innovation and Climate Adaptation. The Minister spoke of how challenging COP26 had been to reach agreements between nations attending, as well as a discussion on how individuals can do more to help the environment, whether that be through using greener transport or consuming more locally-sourced food.
“We had a very positive discussion on climate change and the agreements that were reached at COP26, and it’s good to see how engaged local people are over one of the biggest issues facing not just our country, but the whole planet", said James.
“It was great to have Jo joining us for our meeting. She was very impressed with the work that local volunteers are doing to preserve our green spaces, and with the enthusiasm of local students who have the biggest stake in the decisions that current politicians are making.”
Jo Churchill added, “Important messages from young people like Naomi and Joshan really help to drive positive change in this area. They are engaged like never before, and are being heard by politicians and policy makers all over the world. I enjoyed reading their reflections on the climate and the efforts they personally contribute to this national – global – body of work.
“I was also reminded of the vital importance of volunteers and community groups in preserving and protecting green spaces and the benefits of ‘green social prescribing’, something that was driven home for me during my time in the Department of Health during the beginning of the pandemic.”
Mick Freer, from Save Halesowen's Countryside, commented, “The campaign to save Halesowen’s countryside from urban development has brought together thousands of people unified in the cause. At James’s COP26 Roundtables it has been great to meet with other groups concerned about our environment, and it’s also good to see young people engaged with these issues too.
“It was also nice to have the Minister with us on Friday, and I am pleased to hear that the Government are committed to limiting the impact of climate change.”
Attending today's Roundtable were: James Morris MP, Jo Churchill MP (Minister for Agri-Innovation and Climate Adaptation, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), Balvinder Heran (Deputy CEO, Dudley MBC), Hilary Bills (Friends of Hurst Green Park), David Chaffey (Friends of the Leasowes), Mick Freer (Save Halesowen’s Countryside) and Mike Poulton (Friends of Rowley Hills); as well as local students Naomi Oviawe David (Windsor High School) and Joshan Khela (Leasowes High School).
Further details on the COP26 Summit and was achieved are available at www.ukcop26.org
