Schools, businesses councils and GPs support climate bill

SIXTY-TWO organisations in the Henley area have signed up to support the Climate and Nature Bill.

The private members’ bill would require the UK to achieve climate and nature targets and establish a climate and nature assembly to advise the secretary of state.

It was at the first reading stage in parliament when it was dissolved before the general election was called.

“Zero Hour” campaigners, including Greener Henley, are calling on the prospective parliamentary candidates to support the Bill if they are elected.

It is already backed by 48,000 individuals, 200 scientists and more than 900 organisations, including River Action UK, WildFish, the Rivers Trust and Surfers Against Sewage.

In Henley, supporters include the Henley Mermaids open swimming group, Henley and Marlow River Action Group and Hobbs of Henley as well as sports clubs, schools, GPs, businesses and councils.

Tim Hoskins, headteacher of Badgemore Primary School in Hop Gardens, said: “We are supporting the Bill and encouraging all our parents to sign up to the open letter asking our election candidates to back it.

“We know that our country is entering a climate and biodiversity crisis — one that, if left any longer, will not be reversed. Evidence indicates that the impact of this crisis will threaten nature, human lives, livelihoods and wellbeing around the world, including our own community here in Henley, as we have seen recently with flooding.

“We support the science-led plan to address this crisis and believe that it cannot be passed soon enough.

“The current generation of adults and generations that have gone before have enjoyed the spoils of our beautiful world without considering the impact of our actions.

“It is now our responsibility to take the steps to ensure that we act sustainably for our children and our children’s children.

“As a forest school and one that works hard to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle,’ our decision has been fully supported by our parents.

“The Bill is about making a difference, which is exactly the same reason that we teach.”

Dr Will Hearsey, a GP partner at the Hart Surgery and a Henley Standard columnist, said the surgery was proud to support the campaign.

He said: “It is crucial for any incoming government to prioritise this Bill.

“Climate change will increasingly mean more frequent and extreme weather events such as flooding and extreme heat, which result in not only physical trauma but also mental health impacts. Air pollution, which in Henley exceeds three World Health Organisation limits across the whole town and even out into villages like Shiplake, shortens life spans and results in high levels of asthma.

“It is well accepted that environmental degradation also has impacts upon the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer and the rates of illness related to river pollution is just another demonstration of the way in which our health is intertwined with the world around us.

“A healthy environment with plenty of wild space and abundant biodiversity not only improves our physical health (time spent outdoors lowers blood pressure and reduces risk of strokes and heart attacks) but also alleviates stress and improves mental health.

“The Climate and Nature Bill is a pivotal piece of legislation that tackles the urgent crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Importantly, this is a cross-party Bill, so it is independent of party politics, as these issues should be.

“By supporting the Bill, myself and my colleagues at the Hart Surgery are advocating policies that can significantly improve public health outcomes within our community.”

The local organisations which support the Bill are as follows: Henley Mermaids; Henley Music School; Mercers Solicitors; Naked Planet; Philip Booth Esq; Proper Undies; South Stoke Wildlife & Conservation Group; Salon of Chi; Annabel Vere Photography; Badgemore Primary School; Basset Pubs; Benson Nature Group; Bosley Patch; Brakspear; Bremont; Bright Ledge; Charlotte Snowden Photography; David Bray Motor Engineers; Ella’s Kitchen; FourState; Greener Henley; Henley Business Partnership; Henley Quakers Meeting; Henley Rugby Club; Hobbs of Henley; Isabelle Brough, soft tissue therapist; Jennings of Garsington; Lawlor’s the Bakers; Menza Café; Nettlebed Creamery; Nicola Schafer photography & film; Niki Schäfer Interior Design; Robinson Sherston; Simon Mack Architecture; Spratley & Partners; Swiss Farm; Thaklia Carr Coaching; the Willow Basket; Tolhurst Organics; Vintage Look; Warriors on Waste; Watlington Climate Action; We are the Creative; Wild Green; Hart Surgery; Open Spaces Society; Treats for the Queen; Sonning Common Primary School; Henley Female Network; Harriet Barcella Coaching; Philly Fitness; Early Years Pro Solutions; Mimosa Garden Design; Henley Golf Club; Young Climate Warriors; Café Scientifique Henley; Pure Boating; Kenton Theatre; Henley Hockey Club; Henley and Marlow River Action Group; Phyllis Court Club; Pavilion.