We have an extraordinary group of new MPs, bringing a wide range of experience to our Parliamentary team. But one of them is truly unique. Dr Roz Savage, MP for South Cotswolds, is the only woman in the world who has rowed solo across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. She holds four Guinness World Records.
And Roz is also very lucky because she drew the third ticket in the private members bill ballot. Not surprisingly she is very interested in environmental issues, so she will be reviving the Climate and Nature Bill, which had previously been proposed on two separate occasions by Caroline Lucas (Green) and by Olivia Blake and Alex Sobel (both Labour). She believes that the time is now ripe to gain wide support in the Commons.
Roz said:
It’s a great honour to have been drawn third in the private members’ bill ballot, but it’s also been a huge challenge to choose the subject of my bill. My postbag and inbox have been bursting with hundreds of messages from constituents asking me to support important and worthwhile causes.
However, the largest number of letters urged me to champion the Climate and Nature Bill, which is also a subject dear to my heart, having been an environmental campaigner for the last twenty years, and having pledged my support for the CAN Bill back in April. Given that a great number of my constituents clearly care deeply about the climate and ecological crisis, as do I, my choice was clear. I am delighted to have this opportunity to potentially get the CAN Bill passed into law.
When rowing across the ocean, I came face to face with the immensity of the natural world—and the vulnerability of our human race. To stand the strongest chance of tackling the interconnected climate and ecological emergency, the UK needs a joined-up, science-led strategy. A bold, new, long-term plan to restore our depleted wildlife, and deliver the just transition we need. That means green jobs, clean air and rivers, cheaper bills, and a nature-rich UK.
I’m proud to be leading the campaign for the ‘CAN Act’ and I’m looking forward to working with MPs from across the Commons to pass this Bill, and put climate and nature at the centre of cross-government missions.
She has the support of many organisations including Zero Hour (who campaign for the Climate and Nature Bill) as well as Ecotricity, The Co-operative Bank, The National Federation of Women’s Institutes, Friends of the Earth, The Wildlife Trusts, The Zoological Society of London, Ecosia, CPRE: The Countryside Charity, UK Youth For Nature and Triodos Bank. Plus formal backing from 241 Parliamentarians including Ed Davey, Carla Denyer MP (Green) and Lord Zac Goldsmith.
5 Comments
This is the issue with the most potential for real long-term changes, in the interests not only of British citizens, but globally. In that sense it is beyond the normal range of political activity, whether in Parliament or elsewhere, but I am delighted and extremely proud that one of our new Lib Dem MPs is taking up the baton (oar!). My hope is that the already existing all-party support will continue to grow, and that in due course the Bill will become an Act.
Good luck Roz. I’m n to sure what my Tory Grandfather born and bred in Castle Combe would have thought of this turn of fortune. I like to think he would not have liked these upstart Tories that now populate the Tory Party, but certainly having a Lib Dem MP would have been a great shock, but my parents , in my great grandfather and great grandmother’s grave in the corner of Castle Combe Churchyard would have been delighted.
Good to see Zac Goldsmith lending his support. He used to be my MP in Richmond Park constituency, which is now firmly LibDem under Sarah Olney. I always voted against him but recognise his is an important voice for environmental causes.
Brilliant 👏
Good luck we need to do more to improve the environment.