Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Mass Lobby 25th October

Eco-Congregation Scotland at Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Rally

Eco-Congregation Scotland took part in a rally organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland earlier today calling for Scottish Ministers to increase funding for cycling and walking instead of funding expensive road-building programmes that will increase Scotland’s carbon footprint.

Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Housing and Transport addressed the rally outside St Andrew's House in Edinburgh which was attended by around 150 cyclists and others.

Keith Brown MSP addressing the rally

The Eco-Congregation Banner

Oyunn, the Eco-Congregatrion administrator brought her bike.

Campaigning on Climate Change with Christian Aid and SCCS

Eco-Congregation Scotland works closely with Christian Aid. We are currently running a series of Eco Workshops together which highlight the effect that Climate Change is having on countries around the world as well as Scotland and what we might do in response.

Christian Aid is a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS). SCCS are currently trying to keep the Scottish Government on track regarding their momentous Climate Change Act Moment in 2009.


Why is it important?
Scotland ’s Climate Change Act is world-leading. With a 42% emissions reduction target by 2020, it's in line with scientists' recommendations if we want to protect people and nature from the devastating impacts of climate change. But while we're leading the way with our Climate Act, it'll be impossible to meet our commitments if there isn't adequate funding. We must make sure that our government takes action to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Scotland , and a better world for us all. The Scottish Government is planning next year's budget now for Parliament to consider - so please help us put the pressure on to ensure they allocate enough public funds for action on climate change - such as insulating housing and providing better public transport.


Send a special email to your MSP 
If one of your MSPs is listed below, you have an important role to play in helping Scotland move towards a low carbon future. The Scottish Government has published their draft budget, but it does not currently fund even the minimum activities required if we’re to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in our Climate Change Act. This group of MSPs has high influence when it comes to reducing Scotland’s emissions – if your MSP is listed below, please take action today.

If you’re not sure which constituency you live in, find out here.

Aberdeen South and North Kincardine
Maureen Watt MSP, Convenor of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee

Airdrie and Shotts
Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment

Caithness, Sutherland & Ross
Rob Gibson MSP, Convenor of the Rural Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Committee

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Transport and Housing

Cunninghame North
Kenny Gibson MSP, Convenor of the Finance Committee

Lothians region
Gavin Brown MSP, Convenor of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee

The Climate Change Election Debate

Eco-congregations across the country are being asked to help send a strong message to our future politicians that Scotland cares about climate change.

The run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections is an ideal time to ensure that – whichever party or parties are in power after the 5th May – climate change remains a priority on the political agenda.

We need your help to make that happen.  As part of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition, Eco-Congregation Scotland is encouraging you to take part in a political debate on climate change.  The Climate Change Election Debate will take place on Wednesday 13th April from 7.30-9pm. You can take part by watching and listening to what the parties have to say about their plans for tackling climate change, and – if you want to – you can ask them any burning questions you have on this issue. But, the difference with this event is that you won’t be in the same room as the party spokespeople who’ll debate and answer your questions.  You’ll be taking part over the internet.  If you have a broadband internet connection, you can take part from the comfort of your own home as the debate will be screened live over the internet.

Now, we know that not everyone is totally confident using the internet, and not many people have taken part in a live event online.  So, to make it really easy, we’re suggesting that you could get together with other people in your eco-congregation to watch the debate in a small group.  You could get together in someone’s home or in your church hall – wherever you’ll be most comfortable and that has a broadband internet connection.  You could enjoy some tea and cakes during the debate to make it even more fun!

If you want to, you could come up with a question as a group and get the person in your congregation who’s most comfortable using the internet to email it through or to ‘post’ it on our online forum.  You can email your questions any time between now and the debate, or while the debate it taking place – or both!  Email your climate questions to info@stopclimatechaosscotland.org.

We want this event to be open to anyone, regardless of how much or how little they use the internet.  So we’re going to provide a simple step-by-step guide on how to watch the debate over the internet and how to send us your questions on the evening of Wednesday 13th April. 

If you want to organise a Climate Change Debate evening as an eco-congregation group and need any help, Christian Aid will be providing some giudance. Contact the Eco-Congregation Scotland office and we will put you in touch.

Together, we can show the political parties that this is an issue that won’t go away and that we want to see action from them if they are elected.

More information on the debate is available here:

http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/11/mar/climate-day-election-debate

Stop Climate Chaos 2011 Elections

On Climate Day, Wednesday 13th April, political parties will announce and publish their climate change polices. At the same time, Stop Climate Chaos is encouraging people across the country to engage with the issue on this through an online community, where you can access blogs and other video content and take part in conversations and debate on climate change issues.

Climate Day will culminate with a live, online debate with climate change spokespeople from each of the five political parties currently represented in the Scottish Parliament. Tune in and post your questions and comments live via the online forum and Twitter.

For more information see the web site: www.stopclimatechaos.org/scottish-elections

You can follow or take part in the campaign online:

Twitter: #SCCS_Elections

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Climate-Chaos-Scotland-Elections-2011/136042149794674?sk=wall

Is Climate Change really happening?

Stop Climate Chaos have sent this information about ways to counter the negative coverage about climate change.

Over the past few months, there has been a huge amount of coverage about climate change in the media. Unfortunately a great deal of this has not presented a balanced view of the climate change debate and has reportedly damaged public perceptions about whether or not climate change is really happening, is the scientific evidence credible etc.

One simple thing which the coalition has identified we can easily do is to ask our members and supporters to get involved by responding to relevant articles in the press.

We have put together some web pages with information about how to respond to an article, countering common arguments etc:

Over 500 people in Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Rally

Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday 22 of April outside the Scottish Parliament to lobby their MSPs over a strong Climate Change Bill. Over 30 MSPs came out to meet people and participate in a sharing of ideas. Demonstrators planted small men with wishes and ideas for a cleaner environment.

Ewan Aitken Secretary of the Church and Society Council was representing The Church of Scotland at the rally as well as Adrian Shaw, from Eco-Congregation Scotland.

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