Supporters of the climate emergency petition in Hastings.

Hastings Green party launches petition to declare a climate emergency

The Hastings and Rye Green party recently issued the following press release.

Hastings Green Party has joined with other Green Party groups from across East Sussex to launch a petition calling on East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to declare a climate emergency.

Earlier this year, Hastings Green Party played a key role in persuading Hastings Borough Council to pass a climate emergency motion. Since then, similar motions have been passed by Lewes, Eastbourne and Wealden councils.

The petition is supported by Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden Green Party groups. Amongst other points, it calls on ESCC to set a target for East Sussex to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to put a plan in place within six months to achieve this. It also asks ESCC to convene countywide citizens’ assemblies on the climate crisis, as well as to revise the transport strategy to reduce car use and put walking, cycling and sustainable transport at the centre of future plans for the county.

Launching the petition, Hastings Green Party Secretary Julia Hilton said, “Climate change is the most serious issue humanity has ever faced. It is still possible to avoid the worst impacts, but only if national, regional and local authorities take rapid and ambitious action now. However, we’ve seen no action from East Sussex County Council on this incredibly urgent matter.”

“Our petition calls on the council to make a bold and urgent commitment to doing everything in its power to tackle climate change. With so many coastal communities in East Sussex threatened by sea level rises, and temperatures reaching record highs last week, it is essential that we stop the business as usual approach and put fighting climate change at the heart of all local and national decisions.”

The petition can be signed by anyone who lives or works in East Sussex. If you wish to do so, follow this link.

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