We find ourselves today facing a double crisis. Just as declarations of climate emergency rang out across the world, this COVID-19 pandemic has taken us all by storm. And what is clear again from the news on our television screens is that the most vulnerable are the worse affected.
We are all coming to terms with what this new reality looks like, however we can’t afford to drop the ball if we’re looking out for our brothers and sisters around the world. They need us now more than ever.
We need swift and deliberate action from national governments and the international community. However, as decision-makers take steps to ensure immediate relief and long-term recovery, it is imperative that we don’t just go back to business as usual. We have a unique opportunity to tackle both crises now. We need to make the promised economic stimulus work for the people and ensure that we are using government funds in a way which puts people and planet before polluters.

Who we need to get the message?

Alok Sharma – Secretary of State for the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, COP26 President.
Twitter: @AlokSharm_RDG
Email: enquiries@beis.gov.uk

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Twitter: @RishiSunak
Email: CEU.enquiries@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Michael Gove, Minister for the Cabinet Office
Twitter: @MichaelGove @CabinetOfficeUK
Email: publiccorrespondence@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

How can we let these people know?

TWEET AT THEM

You can see some example tweets here and here.
Make sure that you include the twitter handles of the relevant ministers:
@AlokSharm_RDG, @RishiSunak, @MichaelGove @CabinetOfficeUK
There are a few hashtags trending on the issue you may want to include: #JustRecovery #GreenStimulus #PeoplesBailout
To make your tweet even better, you can make a sign and photograph yourself holding it such as in this tweet. You can then attach it to your tweet and tag the above ministers in the photo. Another option is that you can right click on the graphics below and save them on your computer. You can then embed these into your tweet, such as this one has done.

TAKE TO FACEBOOK

350.org have a great petition on the issue as does Greenpeace. You can sign and then share these on facebook.
You can also help spread the word by sharing this blog post or some of the news articles below.

EMAIL THEM

You can email each of the ministers directly to let them know how you feel. An example email is outlined below.
Alok Sharma: alok.sharma.mp@parliament.uk
Rishi Sunak: CEU.enquiries@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Michael Gove: michael.gove.mp@parliament.uk

Some graphics you can use:

A example email:

‘Dear Michael Gove
This is a difficult time for many of us and I have been greatly moved by the sacrifices people are making for the greater good. Thank you for the hard work that government officials like yourself are putting in to ensure that we are moving forward safely.
I am writing because I believe we have an unprecedented opportunity to tackle the two most pressing crises of our time – the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis. I understand that we need to take swift and deliberate action to re-stimulate the UK economy. However, I believe that it is vital we do this wisely and in a way that is not putting people and planet at further risk.
I am scared for the young people alive today. We cannot go back to business as usual if this means stripping away their future. We also can’t kick start rich economies in the global north by adding to the suffering of poor people in the global south. We need an economic stimulus plan which creates a future we can be proud of in the UK. I do not want my taxes to be used bailing out companies such as fossil fuel companies, airlines or cruises, unless they can commit to being net zero by 2025.
Yours sincerely’

Here are some photos people have taken to post online:

Some articles on the issue:

Don’t use coronavirus to bail out oil and gas companies: https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/story/guid/09C4CF2E-6D08-11EA-8762-407E1360EFBA?__twitter_impression=true

Coronavirus and the economy: we need green stimulus, not fossil fuel bailouts:
http://theconversation.com/coronavirus-and-the-economy-we-need-green-stimulus-not-fossil-fuel-bailouts-133492

EU leaders agree to consider climate in coronavirus recovery plan: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-climate-change/eu-leaders-agree-to-consider-climate-in-coronavirus-recovery-plan-idUSKBN21E22U

Covid-19 economic rescue plans must be green, say environmentalists: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/24/covid-19-economic-rescue-plans-must-be-green-say-environmentalists

Green-minded Lawmakers Call for Emissions Reductions in any Airline:
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/488060-green-minded-lawmakers-call-for-emissions-reductions-in-any-airline