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To: UK Parliament
Sir Patrick Vallance is briefing MPs on climate - make sure yours is there!
Dear MP
Re: UK’s first ever high-level briefing of MPs by leading scientists on the latest climate science and strategies for implementing net-zero - 11 July.
I am writing to ask that you attend a vital briefing from the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who will be briefing MPs on Monday 11 July, 3.30-5.00pm in Portcullis House (room tbc) on current understanding of risks of, and solutions to, the climate and ecological emergency. This briefing was called for by 79 of the UK’s leading climate scientists, led by former Chief Scientific Adviser Sir David King1.
The eminent scientists explained that “the crisis is evolving at a rapid pace and it is increasingly difficult for politicians to understand the significance of the latest science that they do not have time to read and digest.” The need for such a briefing was also made clear by 29 eminent physicians in an open letter to the Prime Minister, published in the BMJ2. In the letter they made it clear that “it is essential that the latest scientific evidence on the climate crisis is officially and openly communicated to the Cabinet and Members of Parliament by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser.”
We saw at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic how calm, rational, evidence-based presentations on complex science were critical for both lawmakers and the public at a time when rumour and misinformation were rife. This important work led to acceptance of the need for decisive action to protect all of us; to robust, informed debate and to rigorous policymaking. Just as with Covid, potentially dreadful outcomes, complex ideas, rumour and misinformation are prevalent in climate emergency3, and this important briefing is equally vital. As well as Sir Patrick, you will also hear from Prof Gideon Henderson, the Chief Scientific Adviser for DEFRA; Prof Stephen Belcher, Met Office Chief Scientist; and Prof Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Cambridge Zero, the University of Cambridge’s major climate initiative.
As one of your constituents, I am deeply concerned about the impact that climate change is having, and will continue to have, on me and my family. The need for detailed, impartial, robust information to be regularly shared with MPs so that you are properly informed seems obvious. Please let me know that you will be attending, and please invite your Parliamentary ‘pair’ and other MPs to join you.
1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zac5SzRSbFQoHC9TJnhO0enhqgD-7zS6/view
2. https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o987
3. https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-how-climate-change-misinformation-spreads-online/
Why is this important?
Please, please invite your MP to the UK’s first ever high-level briefing by leading scientists on the latest climate science and strategies for implementing net-zero.
Amazing news! Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and other scientific leaders will brief MPs on the Climate and Ecological Emergency in JUST OVER A WEEK, on Monday 11 July. This will be a version of the briefing Sir Patrick gave to Boris Johnson, which the PM described as his 'Road to Damascus moment' on the CEE.
29,000 of us, together with 79 eminent climate scientists and 29 leading clinicians, called for an urgent briefing, so that climate policy can be based on science not lobbying and misinformation. Sir Patrick will brief MPs on MONDAY 11 JULY, 3.30-5.00pm, just like he did during the worst of the Covid-19 crisis. Accompanying him will be Prof Gideon Henderson, the Chief Scientific Adviser for DEFRA; Prof Stephen Belcher, Met Office Chief Scientist; and Prof Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Cambridge Zero, the University of Cambridge’s major climate initiative. An amazingly eminent panel.
I am asking if you can do one thing – take one minute to write to your MP and insist they attend.
We can get hundreds and hundreds of our MPs to turn up at this vital briefing so that they are up to date with the latest science and can act to protect us, as we elected them to do.
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