"Climate change is the gravest challenge we face"

During Basingstoke's Green Week, I'm delighted to say that the Basingstoke branch of the Women's Equality Party (WE) will be supporting our Hackney sister-branch's motion to make equality-led climate action a core goal of our Party at this October's WE 2020 Conference.

The harsh truth is that climate change is the gravest challenge we face and without a planet to live on, there will be no gender equality. Climate change is a feminist issue: it has greatest impact on the poorest and most marginalised. Women make up the majority of the world’s poor, including in the UK, and will therefore bear the brunt of the climate crisis. In 2019, BDBC declared a Climate Emergency and will be focusing on this during their review of the borough's local plan as reported in the Gazette on 9th September. WE believe that an equality-led approach is their best way forward and look forward to raising this during the public consultation.

Climate policies that promote equality must include women at the table and promote community-led solutions. They must invest in low-carbon economies such as care, rather than solely in male-dominated renewables and tech industries. Of course, this has the added benefit of being sorely needed investment during the pandemic and crucial to the future of the NHS. Equality-led action on climate change is a winner on so many levels; all we need is the political will to achieve it. WE Basingstoke is proud to be at the forefront of that movement within our own party!

If you're interested in finding out more you can reach us at basingstoke@womensequality.org.uk or on Facebook or Twitter @wepbasingstoke, and WE 2020 Conference tickets are available now.

Stacy Hart, WE Basingstoke Branch leader