It’s going to be a big month for the climate!

Next week, Governments are coming together in Paris to sign a new global agreement to tackle climate change.

This is probably the most important international summit ever. It will determine what kind of future we are shaping for our children and our planet. It’s a chance for political leaders to agree to end carbon pollution from fossil fuels by the middle of the century. This is critical if we are to keep global temperature rises below 2°C.

You can support the campaign for a strong climate agreement, and for climate-friendly policies locally. There are two great meetings taking place this week – unfortunately they clash so you will have to choose just one of them – and a national march and rally on Sunday.  And please sign the petitions on this page and forward the details to your friends.

Public meeting no 1: Talking Climate Sense: Dorking, Wednesday 25 November

A public meeting hosted by Mole Valley Green Party to discuss the Paris climate talks, divestment campaigns and community renewable energy. Speakers will include Amelia Womack, Green Party Deputy Leader, and Peter Sims of Guildford Greens, who was part of the successful campaign to persuade Surrey University to sell its fossil fuel investments. Anne Brewer of Dorking Quakers will talk about divestment by religious institutions and there will be updates from local campaigners.

Dorking Christian Centre, Church Street, RH4 1DW starting at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Find out more at http://www.segreens.com/climate_sense_surrey

Public meeting no 2: Leith Hill oil drilling plans: Coldharbour, Wednesday 25 November

Leith Hill Action Group is holding a meeting to discuss the protection of public water supplies and the environment at Leith Hill, where oil drilling was recently after a long legal battle. Guest speaker will be Jan Hookey, the Environment Agency’s Senior Technical Specialist, Groundwater & Contaminated Land for South East England Region. All local residents and Sutton and East Surrey Water customers are welcome.

John Venus Hall, Broomehall Road, Coldharbour, RH5 6HF, 7:30pm–9:30pm. All local residents and Sutton and East Surrey Water customers are welcome.

March for Climate, Justice and Jobs: London, Sunday 29 November

On the eve of the Paris climate talks, mass marches will take place around the world to make sure politicians set off with demands for climate action ringing in their ears.

The London march will assemble from 12.00 noon at Park Lane and set off at 1pm for a rally at Millbank, near the Houses of Parliament, from 2.45-3.45pm.

Find out all you need to know about the march at http://climatejusticejobs.org.uk/

Divest Surrey!

Campaigners met with the Surrey Pension Fund Committee and asked them to start the process of removing their money from fossil fuel investments. This request was politely turned down.

The Surrey Pension Fund invests £99 million directly in fossil fuel businesses. Of that, more than £3 million in a company called Suncor. Suncor’s core business is Canadian Oil Sands (Tar Sands) – a particularly polluting energy source producing four times more greenhouse gas emissions than even conventional oil extraction.

Please sign and share the petition: https://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divestsurrey

Make Surrey Frack-Free

A local campaigner has started a petition to Surrey County Council, asking them to policies to ban fracking in Surrey, in recognition of the enormous risks associated with this type of mineral extraction.

Please sign and share the petition: http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/Fracking/   

Note that when you sign this petition, you will receive a verification email with a link you need to click to add your signature. If you don’t receive it within a few minutes, look in your spam folder.