Climate Solidarity

Climate change: a trade union issue

What is climate change?

The world is heating up, like a greenhouse. This is because certain forms of pollution - called greenhouse gases - are trapping the suns rays in the atmosphere. One of the most important greenhouses gases is carbon dioxide.

As the world heats up, we are seeing more extreme weather such as droughts, floods and storms, and sea levels are rising. This in turn will lead to more food shortages, many more refugees, and the risk of more conflicts.


Why is climate change a Trade Union issue?

Climate change has largely been caused by individual consumption in wealthy countries, but it is going to hit the poorest hardest - both in this country and around the world. Moving to a low carbon lifestyle is an action of solidarity.

Many traditional union strengths - collective action, peer learning, democratic accountability - have a new relevance in getting to, and thriving in, a low carbon world. If the rights of working people are to be protected during the 21st century, trade unionists will need to be at the forefront of shaping the low carbon economy.

http://www.climatesolidarity.org.uk/

Climate Solidarity was set up by four trade unions:

University and College Union
Public and Commerical Services Union
National Union of Teachers
Communications Workers Union

They are supported by COIN (Climate Outreach and Information Network) which is a charity which campaigns and educates on climate change.

Climate Solidarity started in July 2009 and will run for at least two years. This initial phase of the project has received funding from the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affrairs (Defra) as part of the Greener Living Fund programme.

How to get involved

There are three main ways that you can get involved in Climate Solidarity

• Start or join an Action Group
• Host a presentation
• Become a Presenter

See the How to Get Involved pages of the Climate Solidarity website for more information.

Action Group Training

An intensive half-day of free training on how to set up a Climate Solidarity Action Group. Local travel costs can be reimbursed. Further training dates will be publicised in due course.

Exeter, Friday 30th April
London, Friday 23rd April
Leeds, Friday 16th April, Thursday 24th June
Liverpool, Friday 25th June
Newcastle, Friday 9th July
Oxford, Friday 17th September
Peterborough, Friday 7th May
Southampton, Wednesday 14th July
Southend, Friday 3rd September
Truro, Friday 16th April

To book your place on a course, please contact Climate Solidarity as soon as possible. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Further dates will be announced shortly.

Downloads

TUC Green Workplaces Updates:

Green Workplaces Update - March 2010