Over this past month, there have been a huge number of climate and environmental events happening both in Parliament and in the constituency.
I had the opportunity to start the month by acknowledging the hard work done by Manchester City Council does to work towards net zero goals. However, the Government’s failure to support local authorities in this transition creates obstacles for even the most ambitious Councils. You can listen to my intervention on Facebook.
I also had the opportunity to attend the World Ocean Day reception in Parliament. The ocean is a fascinating place and it plays an important role in the climate of our planet!
In preparation for Clean Air Day, it was a great honour to have my constituents from Manchester Gorton join me in Parliament to share two films to cross-party MPs. This drop in event allowed MPs from all parties show their support for clean air as a human right. The first film highlighted the medical need for clean air – where healthcare professionals such as GPs and pharmacists shared what science shows us. Secondly, we shared the film from Let’s Talk Clean Air Whalley Range, where MPs were able to learn more about the thought process and guilt many have in wanting to live ‘cleaner’ lives, but feel unable to.
Yesterday I was delighted to welcome my constituents from @LetsTalkCleanAirWR to Parliament to show their important film on air pollution.
Clean air is a human right and tackling pollution is essential for our health and our planet.
Watch the film 👇 https://t.co/WIsk9aYrGZ pic.twitter.com/KZ2gKQf3FA
— Afzal Khan MP (@AfzalKhanMCR) June 8, 2023
It was great to meet with researchers from The University of Manchester who are looking extensively into the topic of clean air in Greater Manchester and the impact it is having on residents in Ardwick in particular.
This week I met with @UoMPolicy & @sheencr to discuss the impact of air pollution in Greater Manchester. Early findings are showing poor air quality is impacting both our mental and physical health.
Read some of Prof Cruickshank's work here:https://t.co/92LWPRVFSF
— Afzal Khan MP (@AfzalKhanMCR) June 15, 2023
This Great Big Green Week – I reflected on the amazing outdoor space I have at my constituency office. From bees to foxes, I am surrounded by nature and biodiversity and it was great to see it all thriving in the sunshine during this week.
Happy Great Big Green Week! We celebrate community action against climate change and protecting nature.
To celebrate, I walked around the grounds of my constituency office to see the community garden, bee hives, small orchard and even a fox. 🦊
Check out 👉 @TheCCoalition pic.twitter.com/yJu8LEY3O1
— Afzal Khan MP (@AfzalKhanMCR) June 13, 2023
I have also continued my work on pavement parking. Councils must have control over this local issue – which greatly impacts the opportunity for many to use active travel. My work has been highlighted on BBC Manchester and it was great to have constituents step forward and share their experiences.
Great to hear the support for banning pavement parking on @BBCRadioManc yesterday. @McrLabour supports my calls in Parliament to give Councils outside of London the powers to make these local decisions.
Read more 👇https://t.co/yHtIS9owaw
— Afzal Khan MP (@AfzalKhanMCR) June 29, 2023
June has been a fantastic month to celebrate nature and continue my work on climate change. If you have an event or environmental issue you’d like to raise with me, please email afzal.khan.mp@parliament.uk