MPs supporting the Climate Change Bill as of today: 374
(up from 366 in May's bulletin no.1, and including two more London MPs)

Welcome to the second Friends of the Earth Big Ask Summer of Action news bulletin, going out once a month on the Friends of the Earth London action list.

*Big Ask Summer of Action*
May and June have seen Friends of the Earth groups and supporters out and about across London in support of The Big Ask Climate Change campaign. They’ve been putting pressure on London MPs who haven’t yet signed up in support of the Climate Change Bill – which would set a legal framework for bringing down the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 3% per year. Specifically, the aim has been to get as many MPs as possible to sign Early Day Motion 178 in the House of Commons suporting the Bill.

*Campaigning works*
In just a month of activism since the last Big Ask email bulletin, two more London MPs have been persuaded to sign EDM 178 (Andy Love in Edmonton and James Brokenshire in Hornchurch), which together with six more nationwide takes us to a total of 374 MPs.  Our tactic of targeting MPs who haven't seen Climate Change as a priority issue, and ensuring that they get as many postcards, letters and emails as possible from their constituents in support of the Bill is really working. Getting 400 MPs to sign the EDM by the Autumn is a real possibility.

There are a number of events already organised in the next month which need extra volunteers to help.  You don't need any previous experience, we'll give you all the info and advice you need to help out.  Just contact the stall organiser for details. 

Thursday 29th June
Public Meeting on the Climate Change Bill with Andy Love MP for Edmunton and Nick Rau for Friends of the Earth
Venue: Artszone, Edmonton Green, 8pm
A couple of months ago we were targeting Andy Love to try to persuade him to support the campaign.  Now we've won him over, and he'll be sharing a platform with Friends of the Earth to explain why he's supporting the Climate Change Bill and what he's going to do to help.  A good chance for people from North London to hear more about the campaign, and put you questions to politicians and Friends of the Earth experts.
contact: jameso@...

Sat 8th July
RISE Festival
Finsbury Park, N4
Working together to get Big Ask postcards signed for local MPs
Contact: Quentin Given (Tottenham and Wood Green Friends of the Earth), quentin.given@...,  020 8801 9490
Target MP: David Lammy (Tottenham)

Sun 16th July
Brent Respect Festival
Roundwood Park, NW10
Working together to get Big Ask postcards signed for local MPs
Contact: Steve Huxton (Camden Friends of the Earth), shuxton@...
Target MP: Barry Gardiner (Brent North)

Thursday 13th July
Public meeting on Climate Change with Margaret Hodge MP and others tbc
A good chance for people from East London to hear more about the campaign, and put you questions to politicians and Friends of the Earth experts.
venue: somewhere in Barking tbc
contact: nikkipackham@... / 07855547128

Sun 23rd July
Waltham Forest Green Fayre
Aveling Park/Lloyd Park, E17
Working together to get Big Ask postcards signed for local MPs
Contact: Helen Porter (Waltham Forest Friends of the Earth), hd.porter@..., 07712 654632
Target MP: Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green)

Sat 29th July
Stall in Croydon Shopping Centre
Contact: Rob Pennington (Greenwich and Lewisham Friends of the Earth), r_a_pennington@..., 07774 598679
Working together to get Big Ask postcards signed for local MPs
Target MP: Richard Ottaway (Croydon South)

*What else could I do?*
As well as helping out at one of these events, there are lots of other ways you can get involved and help us win the campaign. You could:

- Write a personal letter to your MP asking them to support Friends of the Earth’s Climate Chage Bill - more info on what to say at www.thebigask.com
- Help publicise the campaign locally - get in touch if you would like us to send you some postcards, leaflets and posters
- Get involved with events elsewhere in London – contact us if you'd like details of your nearest target MP
- From mid September to mid October we'll be asking you to be part of our Big Ask Big Month Big Lobby.  We'll need as many people as possible to visit their MP and encourage them to write to Tony Blair and David Miliband (the Environment Secretary), asking them to put a Climate Change Bill in the Queen's speech

*Get in touch*
 If you'd like to get involved, want more info, have other ideas on what we could do in your area, or just want to say hello, it’d be great to hear from you.

 Contact: David Babbs, davidb@..., 020 7566 1690


You're getting this monthly email because I think you want to be kept up to date with what Friends of the Earth is up to in London and opportunities to get involved.  If you don't want to receiev them anymore, just let me know and I'll remove you from the list.

-- David Babbs
Network Development and Group Support - London and East of England 020 7566 1690 davidb@... Friends of the Earth http://community.foe.co.uk