We talked to organiser Simon Oldridge (SO) about what those involved hope will be a watershed event on November 27 in Central Hall, Westminster.
WCV: This looks very timely, coming after yet another COP and as we read that richer nations are quietly (or noisily) abandoning or watering down their net zero targets. What do you hope to achieve?
SO: “A step change in how we react to the emergency. Importantly, it is going to set out positive action which, if taken, will make us better off. It’s UK-focused and will cover all dimensions of the challenge and opportunity from food security to health to national security to spell out what it means for people in the UK. And it won’t be riddled with lobbyists. Instead, MPs will have the chance to listen to leading global experts who have no financial axe to grind.
“Of course, we will have to set the scene and describe the damage that has and continues to be done. There has to be a clear-eyed understanding of the grave situation we’re facing: worsening floods, wildfires, extreme heat, leading to food price spikes, a potential collapse in healthcare, and even civil unrest. But if we take the genuine emergency action needed to get to grips with this crisis, all the evidence shows that it will make us better off..
“At the moment, polluters are dictating the agenda. The tax system gives a crazy advantage to North Sea operators, allowing them to offset a huge 84% of new oil and gas investment against theirtaxable income, while renewables do not benefit from the same tax breaks.
“Fossil fuels are not only fuelling the emergency but are enormously wasteful of energy – with getting on for two thirds of their energy lost in heat! Electrifying our economy will delivery huge efficiency and cost savings, and the evidence shows that we have the technology to do it. It just needs rolling out 10 times faster.
“Fossil fuel disinformationhas been so successful that nearly half of Britons polled think global heating won’t affect them at all. The level of disinformation is frightening, and it’s being allowed to grow like a cancer in the absence of strong communications from the government.
“Yes, UK electricity prices are high, but experts are clear that this is because they are set by the price of gas. And we have to import a quarter of our gas from the US, so on top of everything else, we’re dependent on the whims of Donald Trump.”
WCV: Who will be speaking?
SO: “Chris Packham will open the event for us and then we’ve got a powerful line-up: specialists in their field with the latest, impactful information to equip MPs to make the bold decisions which will change our trajectory.”
WCV: How many MPs and parliamentarians have signed up to attend so far?
SO: “Getting on for 150, but we want more…all 650 MPs. We’re encouraging people to check on our website – just put your postcode in to see whether your MP is attending and, if not, there’s a quick and easy way to send an email to urge them to go. They will have to have a very sound excuse for not attending. MPS were thoroughly briefed on COVID, why not on climate – an even greater threat? And why would you choose to miss it? It won’t look good on the CV come the general election…”
WCV: Will the event be live streamed? Posted on YouTube?
SO: “No livestream. This is all about the experience in the room, the shared reaction to the very latest intel – and about MPs demonstrating to constituents that they’re taking this seriously
“What we will do, though, is to make a 45-minute documentary version to be shown in communities in early 2026. We’ve already got bishops saying they want to show the film in cathedrals. We want it shown in community centres, churches, universities, libraries right across the UK. Each time the film is shown is an opportunity to engage and mobilise people to demand a sustainable, liveable future. We are really looking to generate hyper-engagement. We’re in a genuine emergency and action needs to be taken.”
WCV: Who or what do you believe is the biggest threat to the future of the planet right now?
SO: “That’s a hard one. I almost said ‘Elon Musk’ immediately. But maybe it’s apathy. No. I’ve got it. It’s disinformation. Disinformation propagated by vested interests and political cowardice has been allowed to fester to the massive detriment of people, nature and the planet.”
WCV: If you could get an audience with Keir Starmer, what would you say to him?
SO: “Switch out of business as usual. Listen to the experts. You have a last, best chance to show leadership – on the world stage, not just domestically – so stop timid incrementalism and be bold!
“This is not an ‘Oh, shit!’ scenario, but a ‘Yay! Let’s do it!’ moment. Grab it!”
To check whether your MP is booked to attend, click here and enter your postcode. Please follow up with an email if they are NOT so far on the guest list. The website will make this easy!
