What is Portsmouth Climate Action Network (PCAN)?

Established in November 2006, PCAN is a local voluntary group concerned about the significant dangers posed by man-made climate change.

To find out more about what we are doing clicke here.

Our primary aim is to ensure that the issue is tackled at a local level i.e. in Portsmouth, through education, mitigation and adaptation. We have a small group of dedicated volunteers with a diverse range of backgrounds and skills.

We also believe that attitude and behaviour change at a local level can have a material influence on what happens nationally and globally. We are one of a growing number of local climate change groups and are part of the Stop Climate Chaos alliance.

Locally we want to see:

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.

Are we killjoys?

We believe that people should enjoy their lives but do so in a more climate friendly manner for their own benefit (climate change events are happening now) and in particular for the benefit of future generations. Part of the solution relates to consuming less – in the UK the average lifestyle is presently having too much influence on climate change through the related emission of carbon . The other part of the solution relates to the realistic availability of reasonably priced low carbon alternatives in respect of transport, housing and energy.

So as well as encouraging attitude and behaviour change amongst local people we are lobbying government and local authorities to ensure that we can quickly make the transition to a low carbon lifestyle and adapt to the climate change effects which are already in the system.

We believe that the Government has been inconsistent in it’s approach to climate change (how can airport expansion and excessive public transport fare increases square with carbon emissions reduction for instance?) and we will continue to make the point. However governments have a way of moving very slowly until such time as more voters (that’s you) show that they are unhappy.

Hopefully once you’ve had a look around our site you will feel more than just curious and feel inclined to do something personally about making a difference. Please do tell us either way. Killjoys? You be the judge...

To quote Abraham Lincoln:

“With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who moulds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions”.

Finally we are keen to work alongside similarly minded groups to share ideas and encourage action at a local and national level. Contact us at // This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Portsmouth Climate Action Network 2007