About us
Voice for Climate and Nature is made up of individuals, grassroots groups and organisations across Hampshire and Solent.
We were set up by climate and nature groups in the geographical area covered by the emerging Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined Authority, coordinated by Hampshire Climate Action Network.
Our aim is to get community views for the environment, climate and nature reflected in the manifestos of Mayoral candidates. After the May 2026 election of a Mayor, we aim to get community views reflected in the strategies and policies of the Mayor and Combined Strategic Authority.
We started earlier in 2025 by asking for the Government to give Mayors a legal duty to have a strategy on climate and nature. This campaign continues, as the English Devolution Bill works its way through Parliament.
Now we are focusing on the candidates that want to be Mayor. We want them to understand that local people will vote for a manifesto that has climate and nature at its core.
Why change is needed
Climate change is real; and it is happening now. We are in a climate emergency and a nature emergency. The two are inextricably linked. One cannot be solved without the other.
Climate change is caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Most greenhouse gases are produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil (petrol). They also result from the way we manage and farm land, and how we dispose of waste.
We do not have a choice. We must avoid adding to climate change by reducing greenhouse gases - both by avoiding creating any more, and by absorbing as much as we can.
At the same time, we must adapt our buildings and our way of life to deal with the extremes of weather we are beginning to experience.
Climate change is driving nature’s decline. Nature itself is at risk from climate change, but if helped to recover, its potential to store carbon does mean it can help us to turn the tide on the climate catastrophe. Restoring nature can help soak up carbon emissions and give many additional benefits.