Taking Action

“What simple actions can my family take NOW?!”

These comments expressed the desire and importance of acting together in local groups. This included requests for training/help on how to tackle problems, and practical ideas such as a toolkit for fighting planning applications, as well as a desire for more tips on actions individual families can take.

“Parish/town tool kits Environmental advice for defending planning applications.”
“More direct instruction on reducing carbon footprint - how to. More public transport! - affordable.”

There were also comments that appealed for stronger collective action, such as joining activist groups:

“We have all got to stand up for our world and help to heal it for future generations.”
“Join local green groups - become active.”
”All must try to help, no good thinking you won't be around for much longer, we have to think of future generations.”

At the Councillor workshop attendees highlighted a

"lack of community spirit"

as a block to change, but also highlighted other actions that they could take, with one comment including a call to action

"through civil disobedience."

One of the councillor comments expressed the urgency of the situation through the statement:

"HURRY UP!!!"

Get involved

Local Groups:

One Home: Good source of climate information and advice on taking action. Nationally recognised, but created in Somerset!

Green Wedmore: Working together as a community to reduce our environmental impact.

Transition Langport: Part of the Transition Towns network; a community based initiative built to address today’s major issues of climate change, peak oil and the depletion of the earth’s natural resources.

Somerset CAN: Somerset Climate Action Network is dedicated to enabling the changes needed to drive down emissions, whilst adapting to existing climate change. This group is active across the county.

Reimagining the Levels: A group of people all based on the Somerset Levels. They are a source of local information and have volunteering opportunities.

Write to your MP

Ian Liddell-Grainger:
Bridgwater & West Somerset
Tel: 0207 219 8149 / 01278 458383
Email: ianlg@parliament.uk

David Warburton:
Somerton & Frome
020 7219 5229 / 01373 580500
david.warburton.mp@parliament.uk

James Heappey:
Wells
01749 343255 / 020 7219 4289
james.heappey.mp@parliament.uk

Marcus Fysh:
Yeovil
020 7219 4527 / 01935 314321
marcus.fysh.mp@parliament.uk

Rebecca Pow:
Taunton Deane
020 7219 4831 / 01823 443062
rebecca.pow.mp@parliament.uk

****Note: Rebecca Pow was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State to DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on 10 September 2019.

This role includes responsibilities for floods, water and emergencies and climate change adaptation. As well as the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Environment Bill and Lead for Environment Agency and Natural England. As a Somerset MP, Rebecca is aware of the local issues and sharing your thoughts with her could help to boost awareness at a national level.

Although MPs are only required to respond to letters/emails from their own constituents, once an MP holds a Ministerial or Secretary of State role, they take on responsibility for certain areas of governance. This means they will respond to enquires surrounding relevant topics from anyone in the UK.