Crookes and Crosspool Councillors Ruth Milsom and Minesh Parekh are to hold a climate surgery, as part of Great Big Green Week. 

Great Big Green Week, the UK’s biggest climate festival, is an annual celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. The festival is spearheaded by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Its members include the National Trust, WWF, Women’s Institute, Oxfam and the RSPB.

The surgery is one of more than 2,500 events taking place across the country to give people the opportunity to stand up against the effects of climate change and show their support for taking urgent action to help protect people, nature and places across the world.

As local councillors, Milsom and Parekh have invited local residents in their ward to talk to them about what inspires them to tackle climate change and protect action, as well as the kinds of action they would like to see locally.

 The surgery will be held on Saturday 17th June from 11am at St Thomas’s Church in Crookes. It will be a drop-in event, and will run until 1pm. The Councillors are inviting all Crookes and Crosspool residents that are interested in climate issues to come and talk to them during the surgery event. The surgery is also being advertised on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2344214445749678

 Councillor Ruth Milsom said: “Great Big Green Week asks the question: ‘what inspires you to tackle climate change and protect nature?’ Whether it’s growing your own fruit and veg, avoiding single-use plastics, planting your garden for pollinators, campaigning to stop sewage dumping, walking to school, or any other action, it all contributes to a wider picture. 

 “None of us can fix the crises of our time single-handed. This festival of participation is a great way to find out what others are doing, share ideas, and be inspired to do a bit more.”

 The Climate Coalition, which organises Great Big Green Week, also organises the Great Heart Hero Awards. Last year,Councillor Parekh was shortlisted for their ‘Inspiring Locally Elected Leader’ Award for his work to drive the climate agenda forwards.

 Councillor Minesh Parekh said: “No one is immune from the climate crisis – it affects all of us. Yes, we need to radically transform our economy to move away from fossil fuels and to cleaner alternatives, but we need to see change at all levels – international, national and local.

 “Local voices and local views need to be at the heart of that transition, and setting the way forwards on this vital issue.”

The Crookes and Crosspool ward is within the Sheffield Hallam constituency. Sheffield Hallam’s MP, Olivia Blake, recently launched a new bill in the House of Commons to tackle the climate emergency. Blake’s Climate and Ecology Bill, backed by MPs from all major parties, presents a science-led plan to ensure the UK reduces its emissions in line with national and international commitments.