Welcome to PCAN

Who are we?

PCAN is a network of people who are calling for urgent action to cut carbon emissions in the Portsmouth area.

We’ve been working in Portsmouth since November 2006 and our primary aim is to ensure that climate change is tackled at a local level through education, mitigation and adaptation. We have a small group of dedicated volunteers with a diverse range of backgrounds and skills. Many of our members are involved with other local groups like Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the Cycle Forum, the World Development Movement, Oxfam and the Green Party.

Why do we need to take action?

If we don’t, climate change will devastate life on earth. Hundreds of millions of people, particularly the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, are already at severe risk of drought, floods, starvation, and disease. By the middle of the century, up to one third of land-based species could face extinction. Here, at home vast areas (including much of the South coast) could be under water. If we are to avoid catastrophic climate chaos, we need to cut our emissions of greenhouse gases, and keep the average global temperature from rising. Choices made now and in the next five to ten years, by politicians and decision makers, will determine the extent of the devastation faced by future generations.

We need pressure on Whitehall but also on councillors and key organizations here in Portsmouth.

What are we calling for?

Locally we want to see:

Increased awareness of the issues and effective action

Portsmouth (that’s everyone!) achieving an annual carbon emission reduction target of at least 3% per annum

The creation and ongoing measurement of a carbon footprint for Portsmouth

Portsmouth City Council effectively implementing its climate strategy

Portsmouth City Council, as head of the community, leading a publicity campaign on both carbon reduction (mitigation) and climate change adaptation in the City.

Although our main focus is local we believe that our voice needs to be heard at a national level, not least because of Portsmouth’s particular vulnerability to the effects of climate change. The UN climate talks in Copenhagen (December 2009) were a great disappointment and we need to keep working with other groups demanding international action to achieve effective cuts which keep temperature rises below 2°C and real help to poorer countries which have done least to cause climate change and yet are the worst affected.

How do we work?

We want to work alongside existing groups to share ideas and encourage action. We’ll be organising a Green Week and Green Fair in July which will pull together lots of different groups.

We support national campaigns on climate too and belong to the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition

We believe that individuals can make a real difference. We aim to promote the 10:10 campaign which calls on people to cut their emissions by 10% in 2010

What have we achieved?

Since we started in November 2006, we’ve

Lobbied local Councillors and organised deputations to City Council meetings.

Secured a Climate Change Officer for Portsmouth

Organised public events like films and talks, a pre election Hustings and a Question Time

Held 3 Green Fairs (and have a fourth planned for 17 July 2010)

Responded to national consultations like the Climate Change Bill

Regularly attended the Portsmouth Sustainability Action Group and worked on the Portsmouth Climate Strategy.

Organised coaches to demonstrations in London like the Wave

Held monthly meetings (now in Portsmouth Guildhall)

Talked to local groups and in schools

Organised stalls at local events

Built up a supporters’ email list

Why you should join us

We believe that Climate change is the most important issue of our time and it’s still not being taken seriously enough.

We want to keep up the pressure on ministers and MPs

We’ll also continue to work with Portsmouth City Council to implement and monitor their Climate Strategy.

There’s lots of work to do in getting the message out to organizations and individuals.

So we need help with things like contacting the media, planning events, adding content to the website, running stalls, talking to local groups, attending relevant local meetings and conferences and working on publicity materials

To get involved

See our page on what you can do

Sign up to our mailing list

Come along to one of our monthly meetings

Email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it