2 May 2008: Working together to tackle climate change

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Is climate change an important issue? The Lewes District Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) – Local Voices Local Choices certainly thinks so. In fact so much so that it organised a county wide seminar to engage with the other LSP’s in Sussex to energise and coordinate activities to tackle the issue.

The seminar, held on 24 April at the TGWU centre in Eastbourne, was organised by officers from the Lewes District Council Environmental Health department assisted by other partners in the LSP environment group from East Sussex County Council, the Environment Agency and Newhaven Strategic Network.

Nearly 70 delegates from a wide range of organisations across the county came to hear a number of speakers including representatives from the Government Office of the South East, Business Link and community groups such as Transition Town Lewes. Norman Baker MP gave the keynote address and told the audience that we couldn’t “do business as normal” in the face of the challenges climate change posed and called for coordinated action at all levels and urged delegates to tackle the issue as a high priority.

There was lively debate about what actions the various LSP’s should take forward and it is hoped that the seminar will be the start of some exciting work across the county. Several key messages and themes came out of the day including “we need a modal shift in attitudes to address this problem” and “if we don’t do it who will?”.

Tracey Evans, Chair of Lewes LSP said “I’m really pleased we’ve managed to attract so many organisations represented here today. Now we must all play our part as individuals, organisations and communities to tackle this hugely important issue”

For more information, contact Ian Kedge, Head of Environment and Health at Lewes District Council on 01273 484353 or by email ian.kedge@lewes.gov.uk

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Media enquiries: Liz Lacon, Communications Manager