A Climate Change Message from Reading to Copenhagen
For the Prime Minister the Right Hon. Gordon Brown MP
12th November 2009

We, the undersigned people and groups from the Reading area, call on our elected MPs to serve the long-term interests of future generations of residents and the local environment, by actively supporting the strongest possible action against climate change this year and beyond. 

We urge them to recognise and act on the imminent dangers of predicted climate change to the health and well-being of the people, wildlife and environment of Reading and the wider world. 

We therefore call on our representatives to persuade the Prime Minister to lead an urgent and considered UK Government and European Union effort at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. 

This must aim to limit global warming below 2˚C through the following necessary measures:

•	A binding target of 40% cuts in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 relative to 1990 levels in the rich industrialised nations, and similar levels of reductions in other greenhouse gases;

•	Emissions cuts to be made in our own countries and to apply to all economic sectors, in line with the origins of greenhouse gas emissions;

•	Sufficient financial assistance to be offered to the developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to adopt more sustainable paths of development.

We call on all parts of society to work together to make this low-carbon transition affordable, socially just and environmentally beneficial. 

This switch to a sustainable low-carbon economy must entail cuts in our consumption, but we welcome the opportunity it presents for a more socially just society, improving the quality of life for us and people across the globe.

The Climate Change Message from Reading was signed by: 	
Greater Reading Environmental Network
	
Reading Christian Ecology Link
	
True Food Community Co-op
	
Reading Islamic Trustees for the Environment
	
Friends of the Earth, Reading
	
Reading Energy Pioneers
	
Reading Faith Forum
	
Berkshire Greenpeace 
	
Newtown Globe
	
BTCV (Thames and Chilterns Region)
	
Reading International Solidarity Centre
	
Southern Ethiopia Peoples Action Group (SEPAG)
	
Reading Peace Group
	
Reading Rising Tide
	
The Co-operative Group, Surrey & Berkshire Cttee. 
	
Earley Environmental Group
	
Reading Cycle Campaign
	
Oxford Road Community Garden
	
Quaker Living Witness Project
	
Caversham One World Group
	
Reading Muslim Council 
	
St John Bosco Climate Change Action Group
	
The Mustard Tree Foundation
	
St. Paul and St Barnabas
	
Latin Link
	
Econet Conservation Group
	
St. Catherine’s Church
	
Redlands GLOBE
	
The Salvation Army, Reading West
	
Reading Trade Justice Group
	
Cornwell Community Church
	
Reading Green Spirit	
St John and St Stephen’s Church, Reading
	
Reading Churches Men’s Group
	
Earley St. Nicholas
	
Caversham GLOBE
	
Caversham Baptist Church
	
RCN
	
Reading Street Pastors
	
Parish of St. Luke with St. Bartholomew
	
Reading Peace Works
	
St. Saviour’s Reading
	
HOPE ASIA
	
Brookside Church
	
Reading Vineyard Church
	
Reading Amnesty Group
	
Wycliffe Baptist Church
	
Open Door Coffee Shop
	
Faith Christian Group
	
The Rehab Project
	
Earley St Nicolas Church
	
Reading Lifeline
	
Reading UNISION branch
	
St Barnabas Church, Emmer Green