Laura and I are getting ready for our bike ride to Copenhagen which starts on Dec 8th at Stansted (we are going to Stansted by train, not flying!!).  We shall be taking the Crediton Counts pledges with us which will be given to Desmond Tutu who will then give them to UN officials.  We hope to attend some of the sessions since we have observer status through an American Quaker organisation.

14 organisations and 307 individuals in and around Crediton signed pledge forms.  Angela Browning (our MP) will be presenting a petition to Parliament based on these pledges and has also signed up herself. Laura and I had a good meeting with her on Friday although we arrived half an hour late owing to traffic works near Bickleigh but fortunately she was still there! She was very receptive and will be introducing the petition, based on what we gave her, to the House of Commons sometime this week or next.

Laura also managed to get a letter featured in the Guardian recently on the subject of the successful Crediton Counts Campaign and how it dovetails with our  trip to Copenhagen.

We shall give a report to you on our experiences when we get back and hope to hold some meetings in the New Year.

In the meantime have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Gerald and Laura Conyngham

Editors note: It is not too late to sponsor Gerald and Laura's bike ride to Copenhagen which is in aid of Christian Aid.

10:10 is the national effort to cut the UK's emissions by 10% in 2010. Please sign-up today. By committing to cut your emissions by 10% in 2010, you will join thousands of individuals and organisations all actively helping stop climate change by making simple changes to their lifestyles, homes and businesses. More importantly, your voice will be part of the national demand that the UK Government acts quickly to cut our country's emissions as a whole. If we in the UK can prove that fast, deep cuts can be made at a national level, then we may just inspire all the other big polluting countries to follow suit. 

Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but an achievable one, and is in line with what scientists say we need over the next 18 months.

10:10 is the perfect opportunity to discover what's possible when we work together.

So how can we get started in Crediton? Sign up now!

'Nature doesnt do bail-outs' was the slogan at the front of the climate camp in Bishopsgate which I attended during the G20 conference in London.  I went with some Quaker colleagues and was highly impressed with the passion and commitment of those taking part, most of whom were in their 20s and 30s. There was  a carnival type atmosphere with music and singing, as well as serious workshops on issues such as carbon trading and preparing for Copenhagen. The camp was totally peaceful and non-violent and I left just before the police moved in to break up the camp and hold people in a 'kettle' for over 4 hours, not allowing anyone to leave.  Whilst direct action may not be for everyone, I believe we need to use every method at our disposal to draw attention to the scale of the problem we face in global warming.

Gerald Conyngham

The action campaign of the Age of Stupid film. Sign a pledge card for sending to the Prime Minister and other politicians.