Huddersfield marchers on latest climate change campiagn, The Wave
Dec 3 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
‘The little things will make a big difference to climate change’
GRANDMOTHER Elisabeth Wilson and school pupil Charlotte Wisely are joining forces to highlight the issue of climate change.
The Slaithwaite grandmother and the 16-year-old Colne Valley pupil will take to the streets of London on Saturday as part of The Wave campaign.
Organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, people will march to call on the government, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all.
For Elisabeth, it is a chance to make her voice known to create a better future for her granddaughter – four-year-old Sophie.
And for Charlotte and her boyfriend Lawrie Burton, also 16, it is the chance to show that young people do care about the future of our planet.
Elisabeth, a member of the Huddersfield Quakers, said: “It is something I have been aware of for a long time.
“But having a granddaughter made me realise that, if life expectancy continues to rise, she should be alive towards the end of this century and I do wonder what impact climate change will have had by then if we don’t act now.
“I want the outcome of this march to be that we make a firm effort to reduce carbon emissions significantly.
“But also it’s important to put significant funds into supporting the less developed world.
“I was in Sudan earlier this year and saw how they used solar lighting – they would charge them during the day and then take them home during the evening.
“We need to call on our government and the EU and make them take notice.”
Elisabeth signed up for the 10:10 campaign which encourages people to cut their carbon footprint by 10% in 2010.
She said simple things such as turning the heating off in one room and turning the thermostat down would make a difference.
It’s something 16-year-old Marsden pupil Charlotte agrees with.
Currently studying for exams, she said it was important young people were educated about climate change at school.
