Godalming and Ash Climate Hustings

Roots for the Future brings people together to plant trees near to where they live, learn, work and play. We also run a community garden with Waverley and Godalming town council, and we offer eco-therapies. It is our hope that engaging people in these practical actions encourages communities to live more harmoniously with nature.

The effects of the climate emergency are felt disproportionally by the poorest and most vulnerable, and threaten the lives of our young and future generations. The people we elect must not only represent the people who can vote, but must also consider future generations, the people who currently can’t vote.

We believe the election issue young people are likely to be most aware of and concerned by is climate change. So on Monday 1st July at 5pm at Broadwater school, children between the ages of 10 and 17 will have the chance to ask the election candidates about their plans to halt catastrophic climate change and biodiversity loss at an environmentally focused Q&A. Children will be asking the questions and if needs be, the adult they come with will have permission to ask a follow up question to ensure the question is answered satisfactorily.

At this event we are hoping to inspire our local and national politicians to take stronger action on addressing the climate crisis and protecting our natural environment.

Candidates attending:

Liberal Democrat - Paul Follows - confirmed

Conservative - Jeremy Hunt - sends apologies

Green - Cllr Steve Williams - for Ruby Tucker

Labour - James Walsh - sends apologies

Women's Equality Party - Harriet Williams - confirmed

Reform - Graham Drage - sends apologies

Schools with eco-councils signed up:

Broadwater

Rodborough

Loseley Fields

Godalming Juniors

Tillingbourne

Godalming College

This event is organised by Roots for the Future CIC and will be Chaired by Maddie Evans. Maddie has lived in Shalford since 2002. After a career in industry and data governance she recently took an MSc in Environmental Science and Climate Change Policy at Kings College London. Her special interest is the UK energy transition and the move from gas to heat pumps for domestic heating. She is a trustee at Zero Carbon Guildford, a Community Councillor in Shalford, and helps to coordinate the Shalford Climate Action Group.