We in the UK need to call the PM and tell him to work towards a fair climate change deal for poor people now, says Ian Sullivan.
Ever since Alexander Graham-Bell picked up the phone and said, “Mr Watson, come here. I want to see you”, there have been some pretty important telephone calls. Now you can join the list of people who have used the phone for world changing stuff.
There will be a “Wake Up Call” to leaders all over the world on 21 September. World leaders are meeting at the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September and the leaders of the G20 - the world’s biggest economies - will be meeting a few days later.
Ahead of those meetings people will be calling their leader to reinforce the message that at the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen this December they must agree a deal that saves the planet, and the people on it, from run-away climate change.
People across the UK need to pick up the phone and tell the Prime Minister that they want him to ensure strong action in every international meeting from now until the big one in Copenhagen. You can say pretty much anything you like but make sure you call him on 020 8144 7459.
However, if you want to go into detail, here are a couple of tips about how you can direct the conversation.
1. The PM must make sure that the UN and G20 work towards rich countries reducing their emissions by at least 40% by 2020.
2. Rich countries provide at least $150 billion a year for developing countries, so that they can develop cleanly and deal with the immediate impacts of climate change.
3. Earlier today it was announced that Gordon brown will attend the Copenhagen Summit. Let him know that you’re happy he’s going but it only matters if he can get the deal done.
Copenhagen will be vital but at every international meeting we must take important steps towards ensuring we get the right outcome in December. The PM needs to be in no doubt that thousands of people are demanding that a fair and safe deal is done at Copenhagen.
So call him on 020 8144 7459 and you never know, you might get a “hullo” - that’s Gordon Brown answering - from the other end. You will probably be greeted by a voicemail so make sure you leave a message. You can also leave one below letting us know what you’ve said to the PM.
I don’t know what was so urgent that Mr Bell needed to invent the phone to get hold of his mate Mr Watson, but I’m sure he never grasped the implications of his invention. So phone the PM and let him know that you need to speak to him about climate change. You never know what it might lead to.
Get involved: Oxfam and climate change
Tags: 100 days, climate change, Copenhagen, Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, UN Climate Change Summit, Wake up Call
Hey, I’m a member of Oxfam. A short while ago I dialled the above stated number to convey my thoughts to Mr Brown.
I hope that our concerted effort makes a difference!
September 16th, 2009 at 1:39 pmI have left a message asking that one should take this opportunity of listening to those in the know, and to work together as a whole on this matter. Climate Change does not just effect the weather but the way we grow produce and at what price will people have to keep on dying fro this.
September 16th, 2009 at 2:12 pmHi Oxfam
Just informing you that I gave the PM a wake up call with regards to climate change and how Copenhagenis very vital for our planet
Regards
September 16th, 2009 at 2:21 pmAlfredo
Hi,
September 16th, 2009 at 3:23 pmI left a message for the PM. I am very worried about a bleak future in which my children, now 6 months and nearly 3 years - have to grow up and am going to do everything within my power to try and help to get a good deal in Copenhagen.
Keep up the good work
Jose
Left a messgae, sadly I’m useless on voicemail so left a rather garbled message to say that Brown needs to take a harder line on climate change goals and that there’s no second choice available to us.
Yeah.
September 16th, 2009 at 4:40 pmHello, i left a message for Gordon Brown and hope this might steer him towards putting the right ideas forward to reduce emissions in richer countries and help poorer countries to develope in a way that is safe for them and the planet.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:25 amHey will defo be giving Mr Brown call on Monday. He needs to get that we will not stop until a fair deal is reached!
September 17th, 2009 at 1:51 pmI fully support Oxfam’s campaign and will try to phone as suggested. Will Oxfam be joining the 10:10 campaign? If we all reduce our emissions by 10% in 2010, we won’t have to rely on politicians so much.
Let’’s show we mean business by signing up to this campaign and showing we care ourselves!
September 18th, 2009 at 6:05 ami agree with the oxfan!!
September 18th, 2009 at 2:39 pmJust about to call now - hoping our prime minister will do the right thing.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:46 pmHi Just to let you know I left a message with Gordon and I am supporting your campaign.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:59 pmJust left a message!
September 18th, 2009 at 6:15 pmI rang Mr Gordon Brown tonight and left a message inviting himto take action for the climate change issue.
Thank you
ROBERT KABEMBA
September 18th, 2009 at 6:20 pmCongolese Human Rights Poet
Called GB today and will ask many others to do the same…. “you can wipe away a snowflake off your face. But with a heavy snow fall it can stop traffic!!”
September 18th, 2009 at 6:24 pmLet’s stick together and make a noise!!!
Called and left appropriate message for Brown. Let’s hope he takes required action.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pmThanks for the reminder to leave a message for the PM. I’ve just done so and hope many more people do the same.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:36 pmI rang the PM. It was easy. The number was answered by a machine saying it was GB’s Climate Change issue line….or something similar.
I read the suggested wording and then added a personal bit about wanting a safe world for my children (17 and 6) and future grandchildren.
I rang at around 7.50pm, so no need to wait unitl Monday!! Go for it!! We all need to do what we can……NOW!!!
September 18th, 2009 at 8:02 pmI just left a message urging Gordon Brown to push for binding targets in advance of Copenhagen.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:43 pmdone it - thanks
September 18th, 2009 at 9:26 pmIs Oxfam committed to and supporting/communicating 10:10?
Risk of profusion of campaigns… need real action to demonstrate public willingness to act
I just left a voicemail telling the PM to sort his climate change campaign out for the better!
September 18th, 2009 at 10:17 pmyes, I called and left a message saying that I am really worried that he is not giving climate change his top priority. That it is all our children and grand children’s future. that I would really like to be able to vote Labour again but I cannot unless he pushes climate change to the top of his agenda.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:34 pmLeft a message - switched extra electic off….. hope it rains again in Africa!!! xox
September 18th, 2009 at 10:42 pmI’ve left a message
September 19th, 2009 at 10:00 amHi I gave the Pm a call today and left a message on climate change I can’t phone on monday as I’m on holiday.I do support your campaign
September 19th, 2009 at 11:29 amHello. My name is Edgar and I’d like to leave a message for the Prime Minister please. I would like to ask him to ensure the UN General Assembly and the G20 meetings in Pittsburgh secure the right path for a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen this December.
September 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pmI phoned the pm’s ansaphone and left a simple message.
September 19th, 2009 at 12:48 pmI think this great and will definitely be calling to tell gordon what I think.
@jeremy - think 10:10 is cool but if we don’t get a deal in Copenhagen (that’s implemented) then we’re screwed
September 19th, 2009 at 1:07 pmI will call on PM and urge him to do the needful
September 19th, 2009 at 2:05 pmHello.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:31 pmMy name is Katerina and I’d like to leave a message for the Prime Minister please. I would like to ask him to ensure the UN General Assembly and the G20 meetings in Pittsburgh secure the right path for a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen this December.
Hello.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:33 pmMy name is Maria and I’d like to leave a message for the Prime Minister please. I would like to ask him to ensure the UN General Assembly and the G20 meetings in Pittsburgh secure the right path for a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen this December.
I support this campaign and wil ring Mr Brown on Monday , He has to know what we all ant fot the future.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:31 pmWhat will you do to make Peace on World Peace Day 21st september? Will you please honour the millenium development goals. The billions thrown at the banks, 10-20% has been wasted on paying greedy failures could have changed the world and lives of hundreds of millions of the worlds poorest.
With regards to the climate, we know the oil and related industries control the G20 governments so I fear the power you have will be wasted and we will allow further delay.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:51 pmMe too. I asked him to announce something dramatic –like 10 nuclear power stations.Good hunting mr. Brown.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:58 pmI HAVE TRY CALLING THE NUMBER WHCI WAT SENT TO GIVE PRIME MINISTER A WAKE UP CALL TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT ANY TIME i CALL IT SAYS THE NUMBER YOU ARE CALLING IS A WRONG NUMBER. THIS IS THE NUMBER I RECIEVED 020 8144 7459. AN AM NOW LIVING IN GHANA, CAL YOU ADVICE ME OR SEND MY CONCERN TO THE PRIME MINISTERS.
September 19th, 2009 at 10:05 pmHi there,
Jut to confirm I just left the message to the PM, so hopefully my little grain of contribution to this noble caus all of us are campaigning for is now on its way.
All the best, and keep it up, thanks
Pablo
September 20th, 2009 at 11:42 amhi i left a wake up call for Gordon Brown MP as requested, as i believe i should do. from Geordieland, We must all act together.
September 20th, 2009 at 9:34 pmHi, I just left a message for Gordon.
September 20th, 2009 at 10:44 pmI really hope he listens and takes the issue seriously enough to push for the strongest agreement possible at Copenhagen.
Hi,
September 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pmleft a message for the PM, hope lots of people have too!!!
I hope i can call nom, but my condition doesn’t help me to do so, only i can send this e-maile right nom.
climate change effect every place and every one all around the world, so we have to think about and take action towards climate change summmet in order to live in more safe world
September 20th, 2009 at 11:17 pmdone it (here’s hoping)
September 21st, 2009 at 5:59 amCalled Gordon Brown today to ask we commit to 40% reduction in co2 by 2020 and give assistantance to developing countries so that they can improve their economies without using coal.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:28 amHi,
Gordon Brown call: I left a message on the voicemail about 8.30am, 21st Sept. I hope he responds to this wake-up call campaign.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:33 amHi,
Left a message for the PM today - time is running out. We need to act together on reducing CO2 emissions but the developing world needs our help. Socially, morally and also technically, this is the only way.
Left PM my number in case he wants to ring back.
Martin
September 21st, 2009 at 8:50 amWell I’ve done it, just called Gordon Brown. I told him that we were trendsetters in the UK and we should ensure that we still continued to be in years to come by reducing our C02 emissions!!! Lets hope it makes a difference.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:53 amI was nervous but I did it, hope it helps
September 21st, 2009 at 9:12 amGood morning,
I left a message (answer phone) for Gordon Brown to implore him of being present in Copenhagen and to commit to a strong glbal climate deal that is fair, ambitious and binding as we have few chances left to halt climate change.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:13 amI was quite disappointed to get straight through at 9 am! Come on everyone — get phoning! Anyway, I left a message for Gordon Brown & hope he will pay attention.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:14 amI’ve left the message for PM Brown at 9.30am. Firstly thanking him for not renegging on his Gleneagles promises despite the global credit crunch when other G8 leaders have, and then asking him to ensure that right, ambitious and binding deals are made in Copenhagen this December.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:36 amHello, just done my bit and called Gordon. The least he can do before he loses power next year is make this his big contribution!
September 21st, 2009 at 9:44 amthanks for letting me know about this and making it so easy to get our message heard.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:46 amHave just left a message for the PM. I see today he is the first world leader to offer to go to Copenhagen to secure a deal. I encouraged him to make this effort.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:47 amThis morning Ed Milliband’s offices seem unaware of today’s campaign! Following 6 attempts to leave a message for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change I was asked to email him on ed.milliband@gsi.gov.uk
I’ll do just that and hope that more of you will follow. Please call (+44) (0)20 7 979 7777 / 0300 060 4000 to remind the department of your concerns.
Antje
September 21st, 2009 at 9:49 amCorrection:
Ed Milliband’s email address is:
ed.milliband@decc.gsi.gov.uk
Antje
September 21st, 2009 at 10:01 amHello there. Happy to say I’ve just left a message. Didn’t really know what to say so I commented on the excellent news about Brown’s announcement that he’ll be attending the Copenhagen talks (apparently this was on Radio 4 this morning - will have to check out the ‘listen again’ feature to hear that).
Let’s keep up the pressure everyone - clearly the message is (slowly) getting through!
September 21st, 2009 at 10:43 amHave just made the call this morning. It is essential that as many as possible make the call too especially as the news is full of doubts about whether or not the deal will be achieved. Anyone who saw the evidence of drought in Kenya on the news last night will know we have to act now!
September 21st, 2009 at 10:51 amI just phoned the PM’s line and got put straight onto an answerphone, where I left a message saying how important it was for Gordon Brown to do everything he could to bring all the world’s leaders on board and create an effective and strong global deal on climate change.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:51 amHi
September 21st, 2009 at 11:22 amI was happy to call and leave a message for Gordon Brown today. Well done to Oxfam, a great idea for a campaign. Let’s hope The Prime Minister is listening.
I’ve done it too.
We’ve known that climate change is a possibility for half my adult life - it’s taken a long time for it to crawl onto the public agenda.
Time’s running out - so it’s time for some action on the “preventative principle” - even for people who aren’t sure it’s real yet (how much evidence do they need, I wonder?)
September 21st, 2009 at 11:24 amI’ve just phoned and left my message!!!
brilliant to see so many people getting involved……..
September 21st, 2009 at 11:37 amI gave Gordon a call, thanking him for what he has done in the past to raise the profile of poorer countries and asking him to consider an ambitious target for emissions reduction, support to do this from wealthy countries and to remember that poorer countries are the hardest hit by climate change.
September 21st, 2009 at 11:55 amHi, Just gave Gordon Brown a wake up call! If you are thinking about it…..it’s really easy so just go for it.
September 21st, 2009 at 11:58 amjust left a message on the number’s answerphone. Thank you oxfam for the email reminder, it’s a great campaign. If you haven’t already, please give the PM a call
September 21st, 2009 at 11:59 amonly by keeping up the pressure can we let the PM know how important Copenhagen is going to be.
Hey there, just called the PM and asked him to provide strong leadership at the UN and G20 meetings for Copenhagen and to lead on the 40% emission cuts and money needed for adaptation.
September 21st, 2009 at 12:04 pmThis is brilliant! Now some of my friends from work are doing this too. My friend Claire just tried and she couldn’t get through as it was engaged. I’m taking this a good sign though. Must mean there are lots of people trying to call.
September 21st, 2009 at 12:35 pmTried to call a couple of time, it rang but then went dead … I imagine due to the many calls they have received already… great stuff.
September 21st, 2009 at 12:37 pmI have made the call. Come on Gordon!
September 21st, 2009 at 12:56 pmI’ve just left a message for the PM at Monday lunchtime.
September 21st, 2009 at 12:57 pmIt was easy and I feel good about doing my bit.
I just left the PM a message. Read online this morning that he has pledged to attend Copenhagen himself and is encouraging other world leaders, as opposed to environment ministers, to do the same. Thats a promising step in the right direction!
September 21st, 2009 at 1:09 pmHey just got back to my desk after meeting with a group of random people in Hereford town centre at 1pm - we all rang Gordon Brown or David Milliband. Let’s see this make a difference!
September 21st, 2009 at 1:15 pmI’ve left a message for Gordon, and for good measure sent email’s to Ed and all my MEPs
September 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pmHope the are listening!
I’ve done it, but I thought it was quite scary.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pmGood luck Oxfam!
Just left my message now. Started a bit shakey! Like “err hi, climate change… um…. keeps me awake at night”. Who am I calling? Uncle Gordon?? But got better and fitted in lots of muttering about 40% cuts and moral obligations.
Would really recommend everyone doing this. It’s not scary - just a voicemail so you don’t have to talk to anyone - but if there’s a big volume of calls hopefully we’ll all really make an impact. And it only takes 60 secs.
Good luck!
September 21st, 2009 at 1:30 pmHave left my message. Carry on with the good work reminding us what us ‘little people’ can do - we have the power!
September 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pmGot through to PM’s answerphone and left my message. Also phoned my MP John Heppell and spoke to his secretary who’d already had quite a few ‘wake up’ calls.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:26 pmleft a message on Gordons answer phone, I explained to him how important it is that he acts now!
September 21st, 2009 at 2:45 pmHave left my message. Hope it makes a difference.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:45 pmChange is due to a collective desire for a real difference. Thanks Oxfam for reminding me to do something! A beach can be removed by using a teaspoon but it is quicker with a JCB.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:39 pmI called the PM and left him a message congratulating him on his decision to go to Copenhagen and asking him to put more pressure on the EU to take bold leadership and encourage China and the US to make ambitious commitments.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:51 pmI left a message for Gordon Brown. Good luck with the day of action. Tck Tck.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:57 pmI called the pm
September 21st, 2009 at 4:14 pmleft a message
done my bit now hopefully he will make some needed changes along with everyone else at the g20 summit!
good luck everyone else!
I have just left a message for the Prime Minister, I told him how important it is that he speaks up on behalf of millions of people and that he negotiates a fair deal for the poorer countries and that he takes this matter seriously!
September 21st, 2009 at 4:54 pmleft a message…let s hope somebody will pick up and act!
September 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pmI left a message for Gordon - fingers crossed all these messages help
September 21st, 2009 at 5:59 pmJust phoned - great instructions by the way. Left a message saying that strong, decisive action on Climate Change was my number one priority request for Gordon Brown, in a way that recognised the need to be fair to underdeveloped countries and the poor globally.
We will need to make sacrifices on our current way of life, but without them the future looks untenable.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:38 pmMr Brown got my voicemail and I hope to see him paying attention. He must speak and act for the highest good in December and god knows he needs all of our nudges in the right direction.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:52 pmHi
September 21st, 2009 at 8:15 pmI left a message for Gordon Brown today, telling him to go to Copenhagen and get the deal we all need . It felt a bit like casting a message in a bottle into the ocean. (only less polluting, obviously.) Who knows if it will be picked up? Who knows if it will prompt action?
Let’s hope.
Gave the PM a call - hopefully he’ll have plenty to listen to and act on behalf of!
September 21st, 2009 at 9:20 pmLeft a message on answering machine.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pmAdded my message, fingers crossed that it’ll make a difference.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pmI left a message this morning (21st September ), it was somewhat stuttering but I feel strongly about this…
September 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pmSnuck in at the eleventh hour (well, almost - 10.28pm!) hope it all makes a difference.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:29 pmDear Oxfam
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:53 pmI left a message on Gordon Brown’s Climate Change message line and quoted your report from March 2009 :
‘Changing food consumption in the UK to benefit people and planet’ which states : “Growing demand for meat and dairy products affects both people and planet. With livestock already contributing more greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere than all of the world’s transport combined, reducing demand for meat and dairy produce is perhaps the most significant action that we can take to reduce the impact of food production on both people and planet.”
I also quoted from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Report - ‘Livestock’s Long Shadow’ of 2006 which states : “Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale.”
I also quoted a current leaflet produced by Friends Of The Earth : “The meat & dairy industry produces more climate-changing emissions than all the planes, cars and lorries on the planet.”
The livestock industry is the environmental elephant in the room in the climate change debate. As your report says : “Methane (from livestock) is 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2…and nitrous oxide (from livestock) has 298 times the global warming potential of CO2…”
Please Oxfam publicise this issue if you’re really serious about stopping global warming - before it’s too late.
I called and left Gordon Brown a message. forward and hopeful thinking.
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pmI called the PM today. I hope it made a difference and more people will do the same!
September 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pmNice post as for me. It would be great to read more about this topic.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm