Vote for planet!

People of the UK – it’s election week! Elections are a critical time for exercising one of our key ways to enact change, and this election we must use this chance to make sure people and planet are listened to. Climate change is the biggest issue of our time – none of our other issues, economy, healthcare, society, can be improved without a stable climate. The bottom line is without a stable planet we cannot continue with any of our other activities, so climate inaction undermines any other political action point. Still deciding who to vote for in your area? Here are some prompts to get you thinking about who is and isn’t working to improve the sustainability of your community…

• Priorities – Who mentions climate/nature/environment in their top commitments or priorities? Does the environment or sustainable systems, like just working conditions or a more circular economy, get a mention on flyers or social media posts? If its not a priority for them, this must mean they are not interested in the longevity of any of their other actions then 🤷
• Greenwashing – Are these environmental claims brand new, or have they been a continuous part of the MP’s agenda? Are they addressing systemic problems or jumping on quick fix bandwagons? Can we trust the claims made? Make sure to do your research from a variety of sources.
• Use ranking tools – There are a variety of ranking tools online between the main parties, from environment specific to additional areas too. A few to check out include Greenpeace’s climate and nature rankings (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/take-action/project-climate-vote/ranking/), compare manifesto points using the BBC’s comparison tool, including the environment, transport, democracy and top priorities (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxeez8271nvo) and sign up to VoteClimate (free to view) to access the best climate comparisons are the candidates in your constituency (https://voteclimate.uk/).

• Voting style – The system in the UK generally exists as a two party competition, where voting is usually tactical to stop one party winning over another. While tactical voting can play a role in areas where only two parties stand a chance, and one is preferred over another, we can forget exactly what voting is for. We want someone in our local area who aligns with our values, will stand by their promises and deliver positive actions. We want someone who understands the importance of protecting nature and will work hard to reduce the impact of climate change. While there might not be a completely perfect candidate for you, it is your personal choice to pick the person you believe most closely aligns with our own beliefs. For example, let’s say party A and party B are the main choices in an area. Party C has the most manifesto points that you agree with, but you don’t think they can win, so you vote Party B to prevent Party A (sound familiar?). Unbeknown to you, a lot of other people in your area feel the same way and so also vote the same way. Therefore parties A/B remain as dominating parties, even though Party C could have pipped them if everyone had voted as they wanted. Don’t get me wrong, realistic voting is important, especially for ensuring what we don’t want, but for those parties who are prioritising net zero, investing in sustaining our essential systems and backing our fundamental rights, getting a seat at the political table is incredibly important for making sure climate action is a part of our next government, so vote for what you believe in.
• Key ideas – What actual information should you be looking out for? Key areas for progress include: Homes🏡 (improved installation, energy costs, efficiency improvements), Energy 🔌(transitioning to renewables, no new oil, gas or coal plants), Transport🚆 (investing in clean public transport and reducing the impact of air travel), Nature 🌱 (stop sewage pollution, strengthen wildlife legislation, encourage rewilding and conservation, support regenerative farming), Economy👷 ( transitioning to a green economy and jobs, stable employment) and Policies⚖️ (such as backing global environmental treaties and protecting all human rights). For more details and to pledge your climate vote, visit Greenpeace’s website for additional information.
• Talk about voting – Whether it’s with candidates or friends and family, let people know what is important to you and why being a climate voter matters. Maybe those you talk with feel the same way, but have felt hesitant to change the way they vote. Everyone is entitled to their own choice, but the more open we can be in discussions the better we can understand what type of society we are looking to create.

So there we have it: Do your research, identify the best candidates for people and planet, choose who will make the biggest impact in your community and make sure the planet’s and your own voice is heard. I’ll finish with the final reminder: THURSDAY 4TH JULY. BRING ID. VOTE. ❎🗳️