Portsmouth Climate Action Network

Can I really make a difference? What about America, China and developing nations?

Rest assured that all of us at PCAN constantly ask ourselves the same questions...but then again a lot of people around the globe in places such as Bangladesh, Australia and California (and for instance in places like Hull, Doncaster and Tewkesbury ) have recently experienced the effects of extreme weather events at first hand. Don’t forget that our emissions in Britain are much higher than most other countries and more of the CO2 already in the atmosphere is down to us.

PCAN believe that if people begin to change their attitude and behaviour at a local level then the knock-on effects can make a difference nationally and internationally through consumer patterns and pressure on local and national government. How can we influence international agreements without taking action at home first? Oh and in fact some U.S. states are being alot more ambitious than we are in the UK so you need to look beyond the White House...

Here are some suggestions

• Measure your own carbon footprint

• Take actions to reduce your footprint

• Tell your friends.There are roughly 180,000 people in Portsmouth but when it comes to gossip it’s a very small place…so spread the word about our website.

• Write to your MP pressing for a strong Climate Change Bill. The MP’s for Portsmouth are Mike Hancock and Sarah McCarthy-Fry. There are also various MEP’s who represent the South East in the European Parliament. You can identify your MP and MEP and email them at www.writetothem.com . You also contact Mike Hancock through his website at http://www.mikehancock.co.uk/ and Sarah Mccarthy-Fry at http://www.sarahmccarthy-fry.com/

• Write to your local councillor about your concerns for Portsmouth.Your local councillor plays an important role in ensuring that Portsmouth City Council act in the best interests of it’s community. Don't forget that the City is owned by the people and the Council manage it on their behalf. You can identify your local councillors at www.writetothem.com using your postcode and then see pretty pictures of them at http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/yourcouncil/1121.html

• Want ideas on what to write? Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Sign up to the PCAN Energy Challenge and match words with deeds

• Feeling creative ? Check out Hot Fludzz film challenge

• Last but not least…volunteer some time for PCAN. Ooh yes we like this one! Currently we have a limited number of active volunteers (about 10 on a good day) and more help is always welcome. Send us an mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or come to our next meeting Events

If you make changes in part due to what you’ve heard from us (even it’s only a tiny tiny part due to us) we’d love to know about what you have done. So please drop us a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Better still if you want to send us a piccy of your carbon saving activities (decent please!) and a name we might just pop it on the website.