Government inertia on climate change is breeding ‘a new wave of revolutionaries’
Last week, the government received a blunt warning that its climate change and environment policies aren’t fit for purpose. MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee called for ‘urgent action’, warning that, without major policy improvements, the UK will miss its 2020 renewable energy targets*.
But while the politicians stand back, individuals up and down the UK – across all sectors – are stepping up and going to extraordinary lengths to help set us on a path to a low-carbon future.
A record number of entries to this year’s P.E.A. (People. Environment. Achievement.) Awards confirms a surge in UK residents taking to the streets, the forests and the oceans – the offices and the schools – to demonstrate sustainable, workable alternatives to failing government policies.
Jarvis Smith, founder of the P.E.A. Awards, said:
‘Can there be any hope left of leadership from Westminster? Cameron’s promise to lead ‘the greenest government ever’ is in tatters following a pro-fracking premiership that prioritised fossil fuels over renewables, and within hours of becoming Prime Minister Theresa May set the wheels in motion to close DECC – the very department charged with tackling climate change. It’s becoming increasingly clear that action on climate change will have to come from the bottom up – from a new wave of revolutionaries who understand we need to move now.’
Last year the Great British Oceans Coalition was crowned overall P.E.A. Champion for leading a tireless campaign following which the UK government agreed to create the world’s largest marine reserve around the Pitcairn Islands. The team was applauded by the judges for getting the government to act.
However, this year’s P.E.A. Award entries and nominations reveal a growing number of individuals are bypassing government departments and taking matters into their own hands.
P.E.A. Awards 2016 shortlist
Alex Hunt, Bright Green Homes
Alice Wilby, Novel Beings
Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant team
Big Church, The Big Church Switch team
Big Lemon Bus team
Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project team
Bristol Natural History Consortium’s Festival of Nature team
Chanel and Justin Cornelius, 918 Coffee Company
Chris Hardy, Upcycle and Eco Rangers
Circuitree Energy Independence team
Cicuitree, Saltwater Hybrid Energy Storage team
Client Earth team
Ecology Building Society
Flavian Bianchini, Source International
Forest Holidays team
Friends of the Earth team
FutureEnergy team
Good Rubbish Company team
Hannah Jarratt, Do the Green Thing
Harry Owen, MCB SeaFoods
Ilana Taub, Snact
Jo Godden, RubyMoon
Kate Holbrook, Turtle Doves
Lady Isabella Burrell, Knepp Wildland Safaris
Liftshare team
Mukti Mitchell, CosyHome
Rachael Hughes, The Green Mop
Reiss Salustro, Enviromate
ReturnLoads.net team
Roxy Lepron, Marvellous Superfood
Shared Interest Society team
Suma Wholefoods team
Thomas Petit, Gossypium
Vanessa Reid and Cape Farewell, ‘The Milking Parlour’
Winch Energy team
The awards ceremony
The winners will be announced at a glamorous green carpet event on 07 October, where guests will get a chance to network with high-flying sustainability pioneers at Brighton’s brand new i360 tower.
There will be mouthwatering vegan food, outstanding entertainment, first-class speakers – including Caroline Lucas – and, as always, enough alcohol to sink a pirate ship, including signature drinks from Juniper Green organic gin and Bison Beer.
Tickets cost £60 and can be booked at www.peaawards.com/tickets.
ENDS
Notes to editors
*Energy and Climate Change Committee report, 2020 renewable heat and transport targets: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/energy-and-climate-change-committee/news-parliament-2015/heat-transport-report-published-16-17/
Now in its sixth year, the P.E.A. (People. Environment. Achievement) Awards celebrates the green heroes who are taking matters into their own hands and providing inspiring alternatives to business as usual. These sustainability pioneers are recognised and rewarded at a glamorous green carpet event with music, entertainment and ethical food and drink.
The categories for 2016’s P.E.A. Awards are: Arts, Fashion, Film, Music; Britain’s Greenest Family; Business; Energy; Food; Health; Homes; Money; Regional; Resources; Technology; Transport; Travel.
For more information, a list of previous winners and a gallery of last year’s event, visit www.peaawards.com.
For images, case studies and further information, please contact Melissa Kidd, 07855 105 865 or mkiddpr@gmail.com.
