GREEN LIBERAL DEMOCRATS EMAIL NEWSLETTER , JUNE 11th 2019

• GLD Nottingham Conference Saturday 15th June https://greenlibdems.org.uk/gldconf2019
• also LibDem Leadership Hustings at Nottingham, 6pm https://www.libdems.org.uk/leadership-hustings-east-midlands
• GLD Challenge magazine articles please to graham.neale@greenlibdems.org.uk
• Our New MEPs https://www.libdemvoice.org/brussels-meet-lib-dem-meps-61074.html
• Air Pollution is a Trade Union issue and a workplace issue but are we doing enough? http://grn.lib.dm/a518SJ
• Celebrating 704 new LibDem councillors http://grn.lib.dm/a218SL

Despite large demonstrations and media coverage, the general public's awareness of the seriousness of climate change had been developing only slowly.

Then came David Attenborough's popular TV series; Greta Thunberg and her school strikes; and eXtinction Rebellion's obstruction of Thames bridges. The popular media became excited and public concern shot up.

The involvement of young people in climate change issues is not something which has suddenly emerged in the past few years. We may recall the impassioned address of 13-year-oldSevern Suzuki at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit speaking on behalf of 12- and 13-year olds trying to make a difference. In Australia there has been a long history of youth involvement in climate change issues. As far back as 1970 Australian schoolchildren were involved in designing research projects on pollution and public attitudes to the environment. But despite these involvements nothing really changed.

Aimee Challenor will be speaking at the GLD 2019 Conference

On the 15th of this month, the Green Liberal Democrats Annual Conference is being held in Nottingham. I've been lucky enough to be asked to be a part of a youth panel at the conference, and I'm really looking forward to attending, so we can discuss the importance of taking Climate Action.

Sam Harris will be speaking at the GLD 2019 Conference

To represent Extinction Rebellion and the Nottingham Youth Strikes at this conference is a real pleasure as it gives me the opportunity to share my experiences from the grassroots of environmental activism as a young person. I am also very much looking forward to sharing a platform with committed and vibrant fellow young activists from a wide range of political backgrounds.

As we have seen with the recent IPCC report we have little-to-no time to start acting on the emergency we are facing and so far the politicians in the EU, in Westminster and the other devolved governments have taken no real action. We need radical system change to manage and curtail the destruction of our climate and our environment.

The most common thing I hear on the youth strikes and from many younger XR members is that they have no trust in the current government and believe that politicians will always put profit, their own political interests and their career over the people and the planet - this has to stop! The companies, corporations and big business that run this country will continue to greenwash and pretend to care but their one goal is profit regardless of the cost to the environment.

We are building a movement bigger than any I have seen in my lifetime, built by young people, led by young people and supported by young people. No more can we rely on the outdated methods of lobbying and conversations, we must take action through whatever non-violent means that are necessary. The time for talking is over!
Sam Harris
(Extinction Rebellion & Youth Strikes 4 Climate, Nottingham)
Twitter: @Sam0Harris

Joel Baccas will be speaking at the GLD 2019 Conference

I am an independent Anti Brexit campaigner who looks at and comments on the legal side of leaving the European Union. This is my first time at any political conference so I am very excited to meet people who also have a passion for the health of the planet.

Pushkin Choudhury will be speaking at the GLD 2019 Conference

This conference is a triple first for me; my first time attending the Green Liberal Democrat (GLD) Conference, as the newly appointed GLD Youth Officer and I shall be Chair at one of the GLD's first EVER youth panel.

It is an exciting time for the GLD. Not only is Climate change finally being recognised and taken seriously as a crucial issue, the GLD is consequently experiencing a surge in membership numbers and is being looked upon as the go-to group for consultation on all matters environmental by the Party.

On the Young GLD panels we have a great line-up of future political leaders including; Aimee Challenor, an activist who has fought consistently for equal treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. Leena Sarah Farhat, a PPC and Senedd candidate for Carmarthenshire East and Dinefwr and a hardworking LibDem activist. Jack and James Dart, who are both high profile activists in the tireless fight against Brexit.

Leena Sarah Farhat will be speaking at the GLD 2019 Conference

As a young woman who is passionate about Welsh rural affairs, I am so excited to be speaking on the Green Liberal Democrat (GLD) Youth panel. This will be my first time attending the GLD Conference and I cannot wait to learn so much about environmental issues across the UK!

Earlier this year through Green Liberal Democrats e-news we made you aware of the upcoming launch of TUCAN - the Trade Union Clean Air Network. The launch took place in February and was supported by 13 trade unions representing the bulk of TUC membership who have signed up to the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) This charter provides a framework for unions to campaign for the health and environmental concerns of workers.

The 2^nd of May 2019 is a day that will live in the memory of many people, especially Liberal Democrats, for years to come. The last time I can remember us having a night as significant as this was May 1993 when we made sweeping gains in the County Council elections and David Rendell overturned a Tory majority of over 12000 to win the Newbury by-election with a majority of over 22,000.