Salisbury Greenpeace campaign to tackle climate crisis at ballot box

Salisbury-based volunteers from Greenpeace have been knocking on doors in the St Paul's, St Francis and Stratford and St Edmund's wards talking about the climate crisis and how it will affect people generally with the aim of enabling people to make an informed choice at the ballot box. 

Windfarms (Image: Photo Agency)Read more: Salisbury woman provides pet physiotherapy treatments

Salisbury Greenpeace group campaigner, Graham Wise said: “Most people in Salisbury and across the country are concerned about the climate and nature crisis and want more government action on it, but politicians often ignore them.

"As the current government back-tracks on its plans and with COP28 (Conference of the Parties) about to start, it is really important that we work together to make sure all political parties hear this message loud and clear. "

Solar panels (Image: Photo Agency)

Project Climate Vote is Greenpeace’s nationwide mass door-knocking programme. The aim is to recruit one million Climate Voters ahead of the next election to force UK political parties to strengthen their plans to tackle the climate, nature and cost of living crises now, at the election and in years to come.

More than 100,000 people - including celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Olivia Colman, Mel B, Will Poulter and Joe Lycett - have signed an open letter addressed to all political leaders demanding stronger action on climate, stating “we will judge you at the next election”.

Greenpeace want more renewables to offset climate change risks (Image: Stock photo)

Greenpeace is calling for the next government to prioritise the fixing of energy-wasting homes, to unlock renewables and to make public transport cheaper for everyone. 

The organisation also wants thousands more 'green jobs' to be created by investing into green industries while taxing polluters more plus the political will to protect nature from sewage, plastic pollution, destructive fishing and industrial agriculture. 

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Graham Wise said: "Solutions like affordable renewables, home insulation and clean transport are already here, they’re popular, affordable and bring plenty of other benefits - what’s missing are political leaders willing to unleash them. If, like most people you want stronger, faster action on climate, now is the time to say that as loudly as you can and become a climate voter.”

Salisbury MP John Glen said: “I am pleased that the UK is so far ahead of our climate targets that we have been able to reduce the burden on individual households without stepping back from a single one of our internationally agreed climate commitments.

“I also think it is important to note that the UK is responsible for less than one per cent of global emissions, so we need to be realistic about how much we can achieve domestically.

“That is why we are also making a far more powerful contribution to the global fight against climate change by innovating in green technology and supporting developing nations to make the transition.”