6th May 2025
System change is vital if we are to contain and constrain the climate crisis. Individuals can help bring about system change. We can use our votes to elect a government that understands and will pursue system change. We can write to our MPs and press them to bring about the changes we need to see. We can sign petitions – targeting either MPs or business corporations- again pressing for change.
(We can also write follow up messages saying thank you when change does happen).
As regards wiring to your MP, personalised letters are more effective but you may want to start with a ready-made template such as this one from Hubbub –
Or this from WWF –
http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/how_to_write_to_your_mp.pdf
The more you read and the more groups you interact with, the greater the number of petitions that will land in your in-tray- but do they work?
The following observations comes from the Welsh Government:
“Petitioning is one of the most direct ways to suggest how something could change. Petitions can:
- Raise awareness of an issue;
- Bring about a change in Welsh Government policy or a different way of delivering services;
- Propose or influence a new law;
- Prompt a Senedd Committee to hold an inquiry;
- Lead to, or influence, a debate in the Senedd;
- Prompt a Committee or individual Members of the Senedd to take further action themselves, for instance by asking questions”. https://petitions.senedd.wales/help
Friends of the Earth offer a good selection of petitions as a starting point –
The Green Tau 